The Reality of Cognitive Decline

Caring for a loved one with dementia in Nigeria often falls on the family. While love is abundant, understanding the mechanics of the disease is crucial. Dementia is not just "forgetting things"; it is a sensory processing failure. The goal of activities is not to "keep them busy," but to provide cognitive comfort.

1. Environmental Orientation

Confusion breeds anxiety. Small changes to the home environment can drastically reduce agitation.

• High Contrast Dining: Use a dark-colored plate for light-colored foods (like rice or garri). Dementia patients often lose contrast sensitivity; white food on a white plate looks empty to them, leading to "refusal to eat."
• Lighting Matters: Shadows can look like holes in the floor to a confused brain. Ensure corridors and bathrooms are brightly lit to prevent falls and hesitation.

2. Structured Reminiscence Therapy

Don't ask "Do you remember?"—that's a test they might fail. Instead, use sensory anchors to trigger memories involuntarily.

• Auditory Anchors: Play Highlife, Afrobeat, or Gospel music from the 70s and 80s. The part of the brain that processes music is often the last to be damaged.
• Tactile History: Let them handle familiar objects—a rosary, an old tool, or a specific fabric pattern. The texture can ground them in the present moment.

3. The "Sundowning" Strategy

Many patients become agitated in the late afternoon (Sundowning).

• Routine is King: Schedule bathing and difficult tasks for the morning when cognitive reserve is highest.
• Reduce Stimuli: By 4 PM, lower the noise level, close curtains to block scary shadows, and switch to calming, repetitive activities like folding clothes or sorting beans.