Chronicle Reporter
THE Dementia Association of Zimbabwe (DAZ) has called for greater public awareness, improved support for caregivers and stronger collaboration among Government, healthcare workers and communities to help families affected by dementia.
According to the association, many families continue to suffer in silence because of stigma, fear, misunderstanding and a lack of knowledge about where to seek help, highlighting the need to make dementia a more open and widely understood public health issue.
DAZ founder, Ms Emelia Gubba, has said addressing dementia required a collective effort involving families, healthcare professionals, Government and community organisations.
“Many families in Zimbabwe continue to suffer in silence because of stigma, fear, misunderstanding, or simply because they do not know where to find help,” she said.
Dementia is more than forgetfulness, she added, noting that the condition can affect a person’s thinking, communication, behaviour and ability to manage everyday activities, with consequences that extend beyond the individual to family members and caregivers.
DAZ recently held its inaugural Dementia Awareness Walk in Bulawayo to raise awareness, with Ms Gubba calling for more effort to challenge myths and misunderstandings surrounding the condition while promoting the dignity and rights of people living with dementia.
“Awareness alone is not enough. We need action,” she said, calling for stakeholders to work together to ensure families receive appropriate support.
The association is also advocating for greater recognition of the pressures faced by caregivers, whose responsibilities can involve sustained emotional and physical demands.
Ms Gubba said caregivers deserved support and recognition, emphasising that their wellbeing was as important as the care they provided to loved ones.
“Your work matters, your wellbeing matters, and you deserve support too,” she said.
Ms Gubba also called for children to be taught about dementia so that they could better understand changes in the behaviour and memory of ageing grandparents and respond with patience, kindness and compassion.
For her, educating younger generations could help reduce fear and confusion within families while fostering more supportive relationships between children and older people.
The association also seeks to assist society to a level where a Zimbabwe where families know where to seek assistance after a dementia diagnosis, caregivers receive support and people living with the condition are treated with dignity and respect.
Meanwhile, Ms Gubba urged communities to move beyond awareness campaigns and translate public understanding into practical action.
“Let’s build a Zimbabwe where dementia is understood. A Zimbabwe where families know where to turn for help. A Zimbabwe where caregivers are supported,” she said.
The awareness walk sought to encourage open conversations about dementia and challenge the stigma that often surrounds the condition.
The Bulawayo City Council has called for greater awareness, early diagnosis and community support for people living with dementia, urging residents to challenge stigma and treat older people with dignity and respect.
Speaking during the event, Councillor Mercy Furanayi, representing city mayor Councillor David Coltart, said dementia was not merely a medical issue but a societal challenge affecting individuals, families and communities.
She emphasised that early diagnosis enables families to understand the condition, explore care options, plan for the future and seek appropriate support.
Cllr Furanayi commended the Dementia Association of Zimbabwe for raising awareness, adding that Bulawayo must move beyond awareness towards greater support, understanding and inclusion to ensure that people living with dementia and their caregivers do not feel isolated or forgotten.
Further efforts to strengthen this public health response are expected to benefit from greater access to reliable information about dementia, available care services and support options for affected families.
