About Dementia Zambia
Dementia Zambia is a Zambian Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) that assists families, communities and health professionals who have limited access to private health care, to live with dementia or care for those with dementia.
Dementia Zambia was founded by Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias in Zambia (ADDIZ), along with a group of professionals and community workers, in 2016. Mr. Anderson Simfukwe's first-hand experience of dementia, through his father’s illness, lead him to create an organisation that assists people who do not have the benefit of private dementia care.
Dementia in Zambia
Whilst dementia is a growing worldwide challenge, affecting all races, genders and socio-economic groups, Zambia with its growing elderly population, poor socio-economic conditions and highest global HIV/AIDS infection rate is especially vulnerable. It is also estimated that one in every three persons with HIV/Aids will develop dementia. In this country particularly, dementia is mostly unrecognised, misunderstood and undiagnosed, impacting negatively on the appropriate levels of care and support services available. For those suffering from dementia, this lack of provision makes them, their families and caregivers vulnerable to further suffering, stigmatisation, abuse and neglect.
Organisational history
Dementia Zambia was registered as a Non-Profit Organisation in 2023. We encourage and promote the principles of person-centred care. In a short period of time, Dementia Zambia has become the ‘go-to’ organisation for people needing help, information, support, training and counselling. The organisation trains care-givers and professionals (social workers, OT’s, GP’s and other allied health care workers) in the specialised skills required to look after people living with dementia and resultant memory and cognitive disabilities. Our social workers assist families with a number of range of services including identifying warning signs, why assessments are needed, what an assessment entails, challenges experienced by family members, support groups, educational material, medico-legal decisions, and in some case, guidelines to select a care facility. For many people and families, Dementia Zambia is the only support they have when someone in their family faces this insidious disease.