Forgetting where you placed your shoes is a simple sign of disorganisation, or normal ageing.
However, forgetting what shoes are used for or how to wear them is not normal and could point to early-stage dementia.
This is a general term for ongoing deterioration of brain functioning leading to forgetfulness, poor communication, and impaired thinking.
Although the likelihood of developing this syndrome increases with age, it is not a normal part of ageing.
However, a new study shows many Kenyan health workers cannot properly diagnose the first signs of dementia.
This means affected Kenyans have a generally worse lifestyle than they would if the symptoms were picked early.
“We found a general lack of knowledge of dementia amongst family carers, healthcare professionals and the general public,” says a paper published by the Nairobi-based Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation.
The researchers were exploring perceptions towards dementia and related care in rural Kenya.
