How to support a loved one experiencing memory loss
Julisa Rowe (left) and Ian Mbugua on stage during the In Other Words being staged at the Louis Leakey Auditorium of the Nairobi National Museum on September 27, 2024.
September marked World Alzheimer’s Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. These conditions, which affect millions worldwide, gradually rob individuals of their memories, cognitive abilities, and, eventually, their independence. With such profound impacts, awareness and understanding are critical. This year, the ChemiChemi Players, led by Executive Producer Julisa Rowe, and acclaimed film and theatre storyteller Mugambi Nthiga, turned to the performing arts as a powerful medium to share the realities of living with Alzheimer’s.
On the final weekend of September, the duo presented the play In Other Words, a touching exploration of Alzheimer's disease. Both have personal experiences with parents affected by the condition, which inspired them to collaborate on the project. “Our play is a tribute to our parents, who have faced this disease with so much strength,” Julisa said in an earlier interview.
