Dr Esther Adegbolagun, Senior Registrar, Psychiatrist at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, has asserted that family support and multi-disciplinary approach were key to managing dementia effectively.
She spoke at a Care Haven webinar titled “Memory Loss or Normal Aging, how to Spot Dementia Early,” moderated by Dr Omobonike Akinseye, who used case scenarios to illustrate caregiving challenges.
One of the scenarios was that of an elderly man who forgot where he keeps his keys or money, then accuses a family member of stealing them.
Experts stressed that no family should face the journey alone.
Care Haven was founded to transform elderly healthcare in Nigeria and Africa, offering virtual consultations and home visits for those unable to reach hospitals.
The platform provides multi-disciplinary care from verified doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and support workers trained to handle elderly patients, including those living with dementia. Visit carehaven.app for details.
Adegbolagun explained dementia to be progressive and incurable, but that early intervention, lifestyle changes and family support can slow its progression.
According to her, caring for a relative with dementia is demanding and can disrupt family harmony and stability.
Modifiable risk factors discussed included depression, obesity, smoking, social isolation, diabetes, alcohol and poor education.
Also, that early signs included forgetting conversations and missing appointments.
Family members are often first to notice symptoms and were urged to seek medical help immediately.
For prevention, she recommended a healthy lifestyle such as avoiding smoking, cutting alcohol, and controlling cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes.
“Fish rich in omega-3, like Titus, may also help.”
She advised building routines around cognitive stimulation — reading, listening to radio or music — alongside proper medication use.
Rather than shout at a forgetful elderly relative, Adegbolagun advised gently repeating information in short, simple sentences.
“Validation therapy meets the person where they are emotionally, reducing frustration for everyone involved,” she said.
Care Haven urged the public to follow its social media pages for updates on future webinars and elderly care tips. (IG, Facebook: carehaven; TikTok: carehaven.
