Joke Silva, the renowned Nollywood actress, and wife of seasoned actor Olu Jacobs has provided an update on his health.
During her submission, she discussed various aspects including his physical and emotional well-being, and shed light on the reason for his slender appearance.
She explained, “He has dementia with Lewy bodies, which is distinctly different from Alzheimer’s. The treatments for Alzheimer’s and dementia with Lewy bodies are contradictory. If you administer Alzheimer’s medication to someone with dementia with Lewy bodies, they can react severely. So, with the guidance of a geriatrician, we realized the importance of specialized care for older adults. Beyond a certain age, usually in your 60s, the ideal doctors to handle your health in your 70s and 80s are geriatricians.”
“In the early stages, it was challenging because we didn’t fully understand the condition. However, as we learned more, his condition improved. Physically, Olu is in excellent health. He is robust and strong; he even engages in arm wrestling with his sons, who take it seriously because he’s capable of winning despite being in his 80s. Although he occasionally faces health issues that require hospital visits, overall, he is doing well.”
She elaborated on the challenges with his vision, mental state, and dietary needs.
“Additionally, he faces challenges with his vision, resulting in significant impairment. We have professionals assisting him to navigate our home more easily. When in unfamiliar places, he tends to shuffle, which observers may mistake as a physical issue. However, apart from these challenges, he is fine.”
“Communicating with him effectively involves meeting him where he is mentally. For instance, if he mentions being on set, we affirm his thoughts rather than correcting him. This approach helps him realize his errors naturally over time. Regarding his appearance, despite his healthy appetite, his body’s fat regulation isn’t efficient, which contributes to his frail appearance.”
It can be recalled that Joke Silva disclosed in November 2021 that Olu Jacobs was battling dementia with Lewy bodies, explaining his occasional absence from public engagements like the Africa International Film Festival Awards (AFRIFF) in Lagos.
In an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Joke Silva expressed the challenges they’ve faced due to his condition over the years.
Recently, false rumours of the actor’s death spread rapidly on social media, prompting his wife to address such misinformation for the second time.
Source: mynigeria.com
