Growing up, many people did not witness the level of cognitive decline among older adults that has become increasingly visible in recent years. The struggles associated with ageing were once more predictable: aching joints, often dismissed as “rheumatism,” poor eyesight, or the quiet loneliness of elders separated from familiar environments and lifelong peers.
In many African households, ageing was described with pride rather than fear. Elders boasted of village life: clean air, organic food, and strong bodies untouched by the illnesses common in the city. My centenarian grandfather would confidently tap a small jar of powdered tobacco, utaba, insisting it was his secret remedy for clearer vision and sharper mindset. Memory loss, confusion, or personality changes were rarely part of the conversation.
So where did Alzheimer’s disease and dementia suddenly come from?
Interestingly, many families today hesitate to name the condition. It is rarely, “My parent has Alzheimer’s.” Instead, it is often, “I think my mother has dementia.” When asked about a diagnosis, the explanation is usually vague: she forgets things. Memory loss has become the shorthand label, even though it is only one part of a much larger and more complex condition.
This growing concern cannot simply be blamed on modern lifestyles, indoor living, or even menopause. Cognitive decline did not begin with the current generation, nor will it end with it. The generations now experiencing these changes, Baby Boomers and Generation X came after the Silent Generation (born before 1928). This raises important questions: what changed? What did these generations do differently? And perhaps more importantly, what did they endure?
History offers clues. Global and regional trauma from the Second World War to civil conflicts may have left neurological and psychological imprints. Prolonged stress and trauma are known to affect the brain. When survival becomes the priority, the rational decision-making centre of the brain, the prefrontal cortex, can reduce activity, while the emotional alarm system, the amygdala, remains constantly activated. Over time, this imbalance may contribute to dissociation amnesia, memory fragmentation, and cognitive shutdown.
These questions matter deeply because the stakes are high. Imagine a future where collective memory erodes; a world already grappling with isolation, remote work, digital validation, and reduced human interaction. A world where artificial intelligence stores memories we can no longer recall, and future generations know their ancestors only through data, not lived stories.
This is not a distant problem. It is a slow-moving epidemic, a silent war unfolding quietly in homes and hospitals. While it may not command the urgency of nuclear threats, its impact on identity, culture, and humanity could be just as devastating.
In Africa, the challenge is compounded by mislabeling and misunderstanding. Dementia is an umbrella term describing a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia but not all dementia is Alzheimer’s. Without proper diagnosis, education, and early intervention, families may prematurely consign their elderly to palliative care or institutions without fully understanding the condition.
Before panic sets in, and before ageing parents are written off as “gone,” it is essential to ask better questions, name the problem correctly, and seek informed care. Only then can societies begin to address cognitive decline not as an inevitable fate, but as a public health challenge that demands research, compassion, and action.
For the sake of education and to reduce harmful generalisations, just as not all toothpaste is Close Up and not all sugar is St. Louis, not all memory loss is Alzheimer’s disease.
Dementia is not a single illness but a general term for conditions that affect memory, reasoning, language, and daily functioning. It occurs when brain cells are damaged and can affect people differently. While ageing and genetics increase risk, dementia has several forms.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common, causing gradual memory loss and behavioural changes. Vascular dementia, common in Nigeria, often follows strokes or reduced blood flow to the brain. Lewy Body Dementia leads to hallucinations, movement problems, and sleep disturbances, while Huntington’s dementia is a rare inherited condition and finally mixed dementia.
Although dementia has no cure, lifestyle choices and therapy play a vital role in managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Diet, cognitive stimulation, and mental exercises have been shown to support brain health and may help slow cognitive decline. Reminiscence therapy such as using memory bags, familiar games, photographs, music, or storytelling can be deeply effective. I particularly enjoy creating memory bags for “dip-and-say” games, which encourage recall and engagement.
Physical exercise, environmental adjustments, and sensory-friendly spaces also make a meaningful difference. You don’t always need to change location sometimes, all that’s required is re-structuring the space to feel safer, calmer, and more familiar.
Once cognitive decline is noticed, panic is unhelpful. Instead of repeatedly saying, “You keep forgetting,” start with small, intentional steps: simple brain exercises, nutritious “brain foods,” stronger social connections, and more supportive environments. Most importantly, continue creating pleasant, meaningful memories.
There are many difficult stories around dementia. We can help rewrite them by creating healthier, happier ones through connection, movement, conversation, and community. Sometimes, that healing begins simply by stepping outside and meeting people.
With continued research funding and innovation, there is hope that we may one day recover memories, reduce cognitive loss, and possibly reverse some forms of dementia. Until then, compassionate care, informed understanding, and purposeful living remain powerful tools.
.Mokwe-Ijiko, founder, Eliakim Global Intervention Services, 📧 eliakimsessions4u@gmail.com
