The government has been urged to formulate laws that will provide support for rising number of people suffering from dementia.
While sensitizing members of public on rising problem of dementia, Mwatha Kimani from Mercy Hands Welfare Association called upon the government to consider implementing laws that will provide support to the elderly suffering from dementia
Kimani was educating resident of Rurii town in Nyandarua County how to take care for those affected by the sickness.
Moreover, they also called upon families in the country to be taking care of their elderly members who suffer from dementia.
Kimani said that dementia, an illness that has no cure and affects elderly people mostly those aged above sixty years.
Furthermore, he noted that there is need for the country to have a discourse on how to handle the dementia problem facing many families.
“Dementia is misunderstood and many families think a victim is a mad person thus sending them to mental hospitals,” he said.
Additionally, he pointed out that he estimates the number of elderly people suffering from dementia in the country dementia at about 400,000.
He observed that his Association is on the mission of educating members of the public across the country on the problem of dementia which is characterized by forgetfulness.
Kimani called upon the chiefs to ensure elderly people are not tricked to sign any land transaction documents without the presence of the administrators and rest of family members.
Through this he noted some wayward members of families have taken advantage of their dementia affected parents to transfer land to themselves.
He suggested building of public care homes for people who are suffering from dementia as well as training and employment of caregivers by the government to manage the facilities.
Njeri Matara, whose mother in Kiambu suffers from dementia called upon the government to imitate some foreign developed countries where those suffering from dementia are taken care of in homes ran by the government.
“Most Kenyans who have moved abroad are employed in those homes. We can establish similar homes and have those Kenyans come back and take care of our own,” noted Njeri.
Freesia Njeri Wakirumba said dementia is a condition affecting the aged across the world however noted some governments have organized how to take care of their victims.
During the sensitization session a number of residents admitted to be caring for their parents who are suffering from dementia.
By Kimani Tirus
