By Justice Okamgba
Rising cases of dementia across Nigeria are exposing significant gaps in public awareness, diagnosis, and carer support, a health-psychology expert has warned.
A volunteer community speaker for Alzheimer’s Research UK and a health-psychology specialist, Kelechi Eluigwe, said dementia has quietly become a major public-health challenge in Nigeria, affecting an estimated 500,000 people, with many more likely undiagnosed.
“Countless families are dealing with situations they cannot explain a mother forgetting her children, a once-active father wandering from home, a grandmother whose personality shifts suddenly,” she said in a note shared with PUNCH Healthwise.
“These cases are common, yet they are often dismissed as mere old age or attributed to spiritual forces.”
Eluigwe said the true nature of dementia, a brain condition that causes progressive memory loss, confusion, personality changes, and difficulties performing everyday tasks, is not widely known among Nigerians. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form.
“Dementia is not a normal part of ageing,” she said. “But in Nigeria, awareness remains extremely low. Many older adults with cognitive decline never receive a formal diagnosis because symptoms are misinterpreted or hidden due to stigma.”
She said research from hospitals and clinics across the country shows that cultural beliefs contribute heavily to delayed diagnosis, with families often seeking spiritual explanations before medical ones. The result, she said, is a heavy emotional and financial toll on carers, especially women, who frequently manage the condition without guidance.
“Carers are exhausted, depressed, and financially drained. Many spend their entire savings searching for answers that they never find,” the expert stated.
Eluigwe stressed that early recognition can transform outcomes. “When dementia is identified early, families can put care plans in place, manage symptoms, and access community support,” she said.
“Lifestyle changes, medical attention, and informed caregiving can slow decline and improve quality of life. But none of that is possible when families don’t recognise what they are seeing.”
She called for a national response that goes beyond clinical intervention, urging Nigerian authorities and communities to prioritise public education. She said radio, television, and social media campaigns would help citizens recognise early symptoms and reduce stigma.
According to her, community structures, including faith-based organisations, local associations, and community health workers, can play a key role in dispelling myths and supporting affected families. “Awareness must meet people where they live,” she said.
Eluigwe also said Nigeria needs more investment in memory clinics, trained healthcare professionals, and policies that integrate dementia care into primary healthcare services. “Training healthcare workers to recognise early signs is essential,” she noted.
She urged the government and non-governmental organisations to create support systems for carers, including helplines, support groups, and basic training programmes.
“Caregiving should not be a silent struggle,” she said. “Support makes a significant difference for both the patient and the carer.”
Eluigwe said dementia is not only a medical concern but also a measure of how society values older people.
“Nigeria cannot afford to wait until the burden becomes overwhelming,” she said.
“With awareness, education, and investment, we can build a future where older adults are treated with dignity and carers receive the support they need. Every story matters, and the time to act is now.”
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