Residents of Okakarara received education on dementia and the widespread misconceptions surrounding the condition in many Namibian communities.The dementia health talk was hosted by Noraka Two Training and Innovations, in collaboration with Alzheimer's Dementia Namibia, to engage community members and raise awareness.

There are many misconceptions about dementia in Namibian communities. It is against this background that education on the topic should not be taken lightly. Dementia is a permanent and progressive damage to brain cells and brain connections. At this point, there is no cure for it. The damage is caused by about 120 different diseases, with Alzheimer’s being the most prevalent.

Ngundambiriko Katire, a Psychology Counsellor in the Ministry of Labour, explained: "So the symptoms are going to grow from today; you forget your name, tomorrow you forget how to cook, and then after a month, you start forgetting people's names. Now, the bad thing about dementia is the memory is not there, but the emotion is there."

Some people believe that dementia is a natural part of aging, which is not the case. Some babies are born with a genetic disorder that causes childhood dementia. However, children with dementia die before they reach adulthood. Frontotemporal dementia affects a person’s speech and wording, often resulting in aggressiveness.

Another perception is that people living with dementia are bewitched or demon-possessed. As a result, they are often neglected and excluded from proper care. Caregivers of people with dementia suffer the most, as the responsibility usually falls on family members.

Noraka Two Trainings and Innovations trains caregivers specializing in mental health, including dementia. It is important for caregivers to understand the disease and provide compassionate care.