In Sickness and in Health: A Profound Reflection on Olu Jacobs' Dementia announcement.
The solemn vow, 'in sickness and in health,' carries an immense weight, even for me that is yet to walk down the aisle. Its significance becomes evident when carefully considering who we would stand by during life’s toughest battles. That’s one of the reasons I’m not in a relationship by the way.😌
In 2021, a Twitter post revealed the heart-wrenching news of Olu Jacobs, the award-winning and legendary African actor with an illustrious career spanning over five decades, he has starred in hundreds of movies. Adored by fans worldwide for his enigmatic portrayals, Olu Jacobs now faces a different challenge - a condition called “Dementia with Lewy bodies”. This announcement, made by his wife Joke Silva, sheds light on the realities of life’s unexpected turns and the profound impact they can have on even the most revered individuals."
I was shocked after I heard the news!!
In her words.....
We have been married for 37 years but we have known each other for 42 years, we were dating for 5 years before we got married.
“It has not been easy, in the early years of the ailment, we didn’t even realise that it has started, it took a lot of acceptance because I was like why are you behaving like this?
“There was a point of acceptance for me that everything happening is reality and it is like the person I married, 80 percent of the time is no longer there.
“But the thing is this when he was there, he was an incredible father to his children and an amazing husband, he was practically my best friend.. I could share anything with him.”
I always used to ball my eyes out, and then there came the point of acceptance,”
“So in this journey of dementia now, It’s like I am looking after my father. The husband I knew is no more there for me but this man that is here is someone I still love but love in a different way….
— — -She said.
After the announcement,
Twitter was abuzz with discussions about Dementia with Lewy bodies, catching the attention of curious Nigerians who wanted to understand its true nature, with some mistakenly equating it to a mental illness. Emotions ran high as some Nigerians reacted with anger, sadness, curiosity, and sympathy. Many even admitted that they were completely unaware of this condition until now. Bloggers joined the conversation, shedding light on the topic as well. One passionate lady took a stand, urging Nigerians not to use Olu Jacobs as a reference point for the disease, a few supported her while others didn’t.
But wait…
Is Dementia with Lewy bodies a stigma or a disease we shouldn't talk about? Is it even a Mental illness?
Let’s explore the real meaning of Dementia below and understand how important it is to educate ourselves on these things, avoiding stigmatization.
What is Dementia?
There is often a lack of awareness and understanding of dementia, which results in stigmatisation and barriers to diagnosis and care for the victims. But what exactly is Dementia?
You might have heard that Dementia means Memory loss, but it is way deeper than that.
Dementia is not a disease on its own but a general name used to describe a group of symptoms affecting one’s ability to process thought, which is severe enough to interfere with daily lives.
According to WHO,
- Currently, more than 55 million people have dementia worldwide, over 60% of whom live in low-and middle-income countries. Every year, there are nearly 10 million new cases.
- Dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people globally.
There are different types of Dementia. Examples include;
1)Alzheimer’s disease: It is the most prevalent form of dementia and is characterized by the accumulation of protein plaques and tangles in the brain. Read more below,
https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia/types-of-dementia/alzheimers-disease
2)Vascular dementia: Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often due to strokes or other blood vessel-related issues.
https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia/types-of-dementia/vascular-dementia
3)Frontotemporal dementia: It affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, resulting in personality changes, language difficulties, and behavioral problems.
https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia/types-of-dementia/frontotemporal
4)Lewy body dementia: This type involves the presence of abnormal protein deposits in the brain called Lewy bodies, leading to cognitive and movement-related symptoms.
https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia/types-of-dementia/lewy-body-disease
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the type Olu Jacobs has.
What does that mean tho🤷♀️
Let’s take a look at it one at a time.
We already know the meaning of Dementia from the explanations above.
Now! .. Let’s break down “Lewy Bodies”.
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a type of dementia in which Lewy bodies are present in one’s brain.
You might be wondering, what are Lewy bodies and why am I defining it by using the same term. No worries, I will explain.
Lewy bodies are clumps of proteins that build up inside certain neurons ie brain cells. They cause damage to neurons in the areas of the brain that affect mental capabilities, behaviour, movement and sleep.
According to The National Institute on Aging, LBD is a progressive disease, meaning symptoms start slowly and worsen over time. The disease lasts an average of five to eight years from the time of diagnosis to death, but can range from two to 20 years for some people.
How quickly symptoms develop and change varies greatly from person to person, depending on overall health, age, and severity of symptoms.
In the early stages of LBD, symptoms can be mild, and people can function fairly normally. As the disease advances, people with LBD require more help due to a decline in thinking and movement abilities. In the later stages of the disease, they often depend entirely on others for assistance and care.
The causes are not fully understood, However, researchers have identified several factors that may contribute to the development of LBD like environment factors, genetics, abnormal protein deposits, Aging, brain inflammation etc.
Lewy bodies, which are abnormal protein deposits primarily composed of alpha-synuclein, are found in the brains of individuals with LBD. The accumulation of these protein deposits is believed to play a role in the degeneration of brain cells..
Prolonged exposure to environmental toxins or certain chemicals may be a risk factor for LBD, although the specific substances and mechanisms are still being investigated. Also, Individuals with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, or depression, may have a higher risk of LBD.
Some studies suggest that men may have a slightly higher risk of LBD compared to women, but more research is needed to understand the significance of this difference.
common symptoms of Lewy body dementia (LBD) includes but are not limited to the following;
- Fluctuating attention and alertness
- Memory problems
- Executive function deficits
- Visuospatial challenges
- Parkinsonism (bradykinesia, rigidity, tremors)
- Balance and gait issues
- Visual hallucinations
- Delusions
- Depression and anxiety
- Difficulty in expressing oneself
- REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD)
- Autonomic dysfunction
- Sensitivity to medications
- Unintended weight loss can be observed due to difficulties with eating and swallowing.
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is not a mental illness, but rather a complex neurodegenerative disorder that affects cognitive and motor functions. It’s essential to avoid stigmatizing individuals who are living with LBD or any other cognitive condition.
Many elderly individuals may go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to the overlapping symptoms with other disorders or the gradual nature of the disease. Raising awareness and understanding about LBD can help improve early detection and access to appropriate care.
I admire the incredible strength and bravery displayed by Joke Silva in speaking out about the situation. Her courage to share the story is impressive.
As I bow my head in prayer, I beseech the Almighty God to shower His divine guidance and protection upon her, Olu Jacobs and the entire family. May they find solace and support during this challenging time, and may their bond grow stronger in the face of adversity.
I will leave you with this short clip where the Legendary Olu Jacobs starred in the 1980 Hollywood hit titled, The Dogs of War.
https://twitter.com/OneJoblessBoy/status/1544067633087188992?t=ehrkbHCIJGeZdcr-0l_alw&s=19
