"One of the myths is that it's a normal part of aging. [That] stops them from seeking help and understanding what's happening with the person and then planning around that condition, so it just creates a situation where people don't know what to do."
"The other myth is that it has spiritual causes. So you mean they blame the person for something they did to bring on this condition? Yes, sometimes it's a way of blaming the person but also blaming the family they're part of, even blaming the partner of the person with dementia."
Wambui Karanja, affected by her father's early onset dementia, feels isolated from peers who complain about their dads. At 32, she channels her grief into a career as a project manager at the Brain and Mind Institute, focusing on training families in caregiving. Karanja highlights myths surrounding dementia in Kenya, such as it being a normal part of aging or having spiritual causes, which hinder understanding and support for affected families. Her work has earned her recognition at the Alzheimer's Association's Neuroscience Next conference.
Read at www.npr.org
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