Silverio Omari
A new study by researchers from Aga Khan University highlights the tragic misconceptions surrounding elderly individuals living with dementia. Rather than being recognized as suffering from a medical condition, they are often labeled as witches, “crazy,” or having “lost network,” with some being called “wendawazimu.” These harmful perceptions lead to devastating consequences, including isolation, neglect, violence, and even murder. The study, titled “They are perceived to be witches, and some are killed: Community perceptions of elderly people living with dementia in Kilifi, Kenya,” sheds light on this issue.
One villager shared with researchers, “When an elderly person forgets too much or behaves unusually, people start saying, ‘This one has been bewitched.’” Another mentioned that individuals with dementia are frequently labeled as witches and ostracized, reflecting a deep misunderstanding of dementia as a medical condition.
Dementia refers to a range of neurological disorders that damage the brain and nerve cells. Dr. Christine Musyimi of the Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation, who was not involved in the study, estimates that nearly 258,000 older adults in Kenya live with dementia.
People with dementia often exhibit restless behaviors, such as pacing, wandering, and agitated fidgeting. They may also become suspicious, disoriented, or experience hallucinations, especially at night. These changes in behavior are frequently viewed as signs of supernatural influence or a curse rather than the result of aging or illness. The study was published last week in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Dj Vnyash
