Africa is Seeing A Surge of Dementia Cases. Families Aren’t Sure What To Do.

September 5, 2025

In Uganda, the prevalence of dementia is rising as the population ages, creating profound challenges for patients and their families. Herbert Rutabyama struggles to care for his 87-year-old mother Alice Ndimuhara, who suffers from dementia symptoms including nighttime confusion when she believes her house is on fire, and daytime wandering that sometimes takes her to neighboring villages. Without proper resources, Rutabyama resorts to locking his mother in her room at night, even as she pounds on the door and yells for release.

Who is affected

87-year-old Alice Ndimuhara who suffers from dementia
Herbert Rutabyama, her 62-year-old son who is her caregiver
Ndimuhara's husband, who also has been diagnosed with dementia
Older populations across Africa experiencing a spike in dementia diagnoses
Families caring for dementia patients with minimal resources or support

What action is being taken

Aid workers from Reach One Touch One (ROTOM) are making rounds in the Kitaburaza village to check on patients
ROTOM's clinic is providing diagnoses for dementia patients
Rutabyama is actively searching for his mother when she wanders during the day
Rutabyama locks his mother in her room at night and nails her window shutters closed to prevent nighttime wandering

Why it matters

Africa is experiencing a demographic shift with increasing older populations, leading to a surge in dementia cases
Most African countries lack the infrastructure, medical expertise, and resources to handle this growing health crisis
Many African languages don't even have a word for dementia, complicating diagnosis and understanding
Families are forced to resort to desperate measures like physical restraint due to lack of alternatives
The situation highlights broader healthcare gaps affecting the elderly in Africa, including lack of mobility aids, vision care, and specialized services

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint