21/07/2026
๐ "My mother is a witch!"
๐ "My father has been possessed!"
๐ "My aunt is embarrassing the family!"
These are words that still break my heart.
Sometimes, the person you are calling a witch is simply an elderly person whose brain is slowly being destroyed by dementia.
Imagine waking up one morning and not remembering your own children...
Imagine eating breakfast, then five minutes later believing you haven't eaten for days...
Imagine looking at your daughter and asking, "Who are you?"
Imagine getting lost on the street where you have lived for 30 years...
Imagine becoming frightened because your own home suddenly feels unfamiliar...
Would you call that person a witch?
Or would you hold their hand and help them?
As a Care Home Nurse, I have cared for people with dementia. Behind every confused face is someone's beloved mother, father, husband, wife, brother, sister, or grandparent.
Many are not being difficult.
Many are not pretending.
Many are not under a spell.
Their brains are affected by disease.
โ ๏ธ Some possible signs and symptoms of dementia include:
๐ง Forgetting recent conversations or important events.
๐ Getting lost in familiar places.
๐ Repeating the same questions many times.
๐ฅ Forgetting the names or faces of loved ones.
๐ฝ๏ธ Forgetting they have already eaten.
๐ฟ Needing help with dressing, washing, or other everyday tasks.
๐ฐ Misplacing items and believing someone stole them.
๐ข Sudden personality or mood changes.
๐ Wandering, especially during the evening or night.
๐ฝ Becoming confused about where to use the toilet.
๐ฃ๏ธ Difficulty finding the right words or following conversations.
These symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions, so it's important to seek a professional assessment rather than making assumptions.
๐ญ The greatest pain is not always dementia itself.
The greatest pain is being insulted...
Being abandoned...
Being beaten...
Being accused of witchcraft...
Being rejected by the very family you sacrificed everything to raise.
Please...
If your elderly mother, father, uncle, aunt, or neighbour suddenly starts behaving differently, don't rush to the pastor, native doctor, or rumours. First, encourage them to be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Knowledge saves lives.
Compassion restores dignity.
Love is the best medicine we can always give.
โค๏ธ Today, choose understanding over judgment.
If this message touched your heart, please LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE. You may help another family recognize dementia early and protect an older person from stigma or abuse.
