020: Alzheimer’s Dementia – Everything You Need to Know With Dr. Vivian Ngang & Dr. Leonard Ngarka

In the last episode (019),  I briefly stated my first encounter with Alzheimer’s Dementia through my grandfather. Despite the popular belief that this disease was a right of passage for every old person, I have come to learn that this myth is still very prevalent in our African communities. Some people even attribute Alzheimer’s to witchcraft or a curse. I suppose it is still difficult to understand and, most importantly, accept that it is nothing other than a disease. Therefore, I have invited a familiar face to this platform in the person of Dr. Leonard Ngarka (neurologist), and Vivian Ngang (aka Aunty Vivian) to have an in-depth discussion on Alzheimer’s Dementia and give us more insight from a healthcare provider and caretaker perspective. 

Dr. Leonard Ngarka will focus more on educating our community about Alzheimer’s Dementia while Vivian Ngang will share her first-hand experience on how she applied the knowledge shared with respect to caring for her mother (listen to her story in episode 019). I hope you learn and pick some key points from this episode, and as always, I hope the conversation continues within your circles. Thanks for listening. 

Meet Our Guests:

Vivian Ngang is a Registered Nurse with a doctorate degree in Nursing and a Master’s degree in Nursing Science. She is a Clinical Nurse Manager in one of the hospitals or one of the units at the Veterans Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She has been married for 25 years – blessed with four beautiful children and one grandchild.

Dr. Leonard Ngarka is a Neurologist who works at Yaounde Central Hospital, Cameroon. He is also a Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé, Cameroon. 

Contact Our Guests:

• E-mail (Dr. Leonard Ngarka): lngarka@yahoo.com

• E-mail (Vivian Ngang): drmangye2020@gmail.com 
• Facebook: Vivian Ngang

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

• Getting to know our guests

[03:00 – 30:00] Remembering Maa Lucy & Learning About Alzheimer’s Dementia

• Remembering Mama Lucy 
• Mama Lucy’s battle with Alzheimer’s Dementia
• What is Alzheimer’s Dementia?
• Signs & Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Dementia
• The different types of Alzheimer’s Dementia
• The risk factors that cause Alzheimer’s Dementia

[30:00 – 40:00] Prevention & Treatment

• Changing diets & eating habits
• Importance of exercising and reading
• Indulge patients in activities they loved to do before their diagnosis
• Patients must follow their drug prescription
• Make patients feel seen, loved, and appreciated

[40:00 – 1:00:00] Elaborating On Some Important Key Points

• Being respectful and patient with people battling Alzheimer’s Dementia
• Ms. Vivian shared some important tips to help caretakers
• How Vivian improved her mental health being a primary caregiver
• Advice to our community and caretakers of dementia patients

[1:00:00 – 1:13:00] Final Words

• Dr. Leonard’s Final Words
• Vivian’s Final Words
• Anyoh’s Final Words

Quotes

“Remember that these elders going through Alzheimer’s Dementia are used to giving instructions, giving orders, and doing what they want so we must learn to speak with them calmly, be patient, and be respectful with them in order for them to allow us to offer them the care they need.” – Dr. Leonard Ngarka

“When people start having these memory problems – sometimes, we caretakers are so impatient with them that we end up frustrating them. Frustration and becoming depressed even makes their symptoms worse. So we need to be tactful and make them see the need for medical advice rather than making them feel they’re close to madness or making them feel they’re so bad.” – Dr. Leonard Ngarka

 “What are the things we should do to prevent Alzheimer’s Dementia? We should eat healthily, engage in sporting activities often, and if we are sick of any chronic condition then we should take our drugs well, and make sure we are well controlled.” – Dr. Leonard Ngarka

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Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Thank you.