{
  "id": 8790050,
  "title": "WHY DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS MATTERS",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/why-dementia-diagnosis-matters",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-20T23:11:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/21/why-dementia-diagnosis-matters/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "World Alzheimer's Day 2026 is observed today, aiming to raise awareness about dementia, reduce stigma, and improve access to treatment for those affected by the disease. The event emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and action, urging Nigerian health authorities to address the growing burden of this condition among older citizens.\n\nDr. David Oludare Mark, Principal Officer of Family Ark Mission, prepared a paper titled 'From awareness to action: building dementia-friendly communities' to highlight the challenges faced by dementia patients in a young country. Mark explains that dementia is not a normal part of aging and distinguishes ordinary forgetfulness from the more serious cognitive decline associated with dementia. He provides examples of behaviors that may indicate dementia, such as getting lost on familiar roads or being unable to manage finances.\n\nMedical experts define dementia as a significant decline in cognitive abilities like memory, attention, language, reasoning, or judgment, severe enough to interfere with daily life. In Nigeria, people with dementia are often reduced to their symptoms, which fails to recognize their individuality and deserves respect. The loss of decision-making rights and the potential for exploitation and neglect are critical concerns that arise when a person's cognitive abilities deteriorate.\n\nMark advocates treating dementia patients with dignity and respect, calling them by their names, asking about their preferences, involving them in decisions, and using familiar elements like songs, stories, and foods. He emphasizes the importance of reminiscence and music therapy, as these activities can help maintain older memories and emotional responses even when recent memory is compromised.\n\nNeurologist and Head of Department at Maitama District Hospital, Dr. Mimi Osamwonyi, adds that dementia affects not only the individual but also their caregivers, families, and communities. Early recognition and diagnosis are crucial in minimizing the physical, emotional, and financial challenges associated with the disease. Osamwonyi recommends a shift from late diagnosis to early recognition, urging families and primary healthcare workers to notice persistent memory decline, repeated questions, difficulty managing medication, and personality changes. He stresses the need for healthcare professionals to be equipped to differentiate dementia from ordinary aging.",
  "summary": "There is need to create more awareness on the medical condition With the theme, “The Earlier You Know, the More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters”, the World Alzheimer’s",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}