Foreign

Grandpa Bags Life Jail for Murder of 80-Year-Old Wife

By Web News 377

A grandfather was sentenced to life in prison on Friday for the murder of his 80-year-old wife, who was suffering from dementia.

The man, who used a baseball bat, hammer, and chisel in the attack at their bungalow on Turpins Close in Holland-on-Sea, Essex, a county located in the East of England, United Kingdom, on February 21, 2023, reportedly lost his temper.

According to the BBC, Berry explained to the police that he became angry when Mrs Berry, who was suffering from Dementia, began to kick and scratch at him.

The Court heard that Mrs Berry received 14 brutal blows.

The prosecution said that Mr Berry had gone to the garage to select a hammer and returned before hitting his wife with it.

When asked how much power he had used with the hammer during a police interrogation, Mr Berry reportedly replied, “Obviously not enough.”

Judge Christopher Morgan expressed his view that the defendant perceived the murder as a misguided act of mercy, characterising the case as an utter tragedy

According to EssexLive, the prosecutor, Mr Andrew Jackson, told the court, “He said he had simply lost his temper and that if he had a gun it would be quicker and better for his wife. He said ‘It’s entirely my fault, she did not deserve it and there’s no excuse.”

Berry was supported by his daughter who sat next to him during the hearing before he was instructed to enter the secure dock for the sentencing.

Delivering his sentencing, Judge Morgan said, “Both you and Edna worked hard to provide for the family and in due course were supportive and loving towards grandchildren. In return, you were both loved and these words cover the tragedy of this case. This was a loving relationship and you were both devoted to each other.”

“All these matters demonstrate the love between the two of you and the devotion you had towards her and her care. It’s clear that you cared for Edna with her daily needs as her condition progressively deteriorated and tried to make her life comfortable. What was unknown to others was the matters in your life.”

Berry was given a life sentence, with the possibility of parole after 10 years.

According to EssexLive, he remained completely composed and showed little reaction as he was directed to be taken into custody.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Health

Dementia: Causes and Management

By Web News 983

By Titilayo Kupoliyi    

Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.

These changes trigger a decline in thinking skills, severe enough to impair daily life and independent function.

They also affect behavior, feelings and relationships.

World Health Organisation, W.H.O, puts the figure of people living with dementia worldwide at almost fifty million.

This number is expected to triple by 2050 making it one of the leading cases of dependency and mental impairment among the elderly population.

Out of the fifty million people living with dementia, 58 percent are living in third world countries.

According to medical doctors, major cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease while microscopic bleeding and blood vessel blockage in the brain is another cause.

What are the risk factors of dementia and how can it be controlled?

A health educator at the University Of Ibadan, Professor Olawale Moronkola noted that dementia could be hereditary, as a result of neurological disorders and sedentary lifestyle.

He maintained that old age and diseases of the heart like diabetes pre-disposes one to dementia.

Professor Moronkola emphasized that though dementia was incurable but could be managed through regular exercise and medication.

What is the level of awareness on this health condition?

Some residents of Ibadan displayed high knowledge of it.

A psychologist at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Dr. Olugbemi Olukolade pointed out that dementia occurs in stages from mild to severe with enormous effects on both the patients and caregivers.

Dr. Olukolade who stressed that dementia can be overwhelming identified anxiety, irritability, grief and sadness as some of the psychological effects of dementia.

Dr. Olukolade emphasized that love and empathy should be shown to people living with dementia for them to have a happy and long life.

News

Dementia A Disease, Not Witchcraft – Expert

By Web News 691

Hallucination among the aged should not be treated as witchcraft but a medical condition which could be handled by experts.

A lecturer at the second Oyo state public lecture on dementia, a neurologist at University Teaching hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Dr. Anah Farombi stated this while presenting a paper entitled dementia not witchcraft at pensioner’s hall, Jericho Ibadan.

Dr Farombi who explained that dementia was a disease of the brain which results in memory loss, maintained that people should not discriminate against people suffering from it.

She condemned the situation whereby old people suffering from dementia were being molested and harassed publicly in the name of witchcraft, advising that any aged one with strange behaviors should be given appropriate medical attention.

Dr Farombi highlighted risk factors of dementia to include, age, gender, genetic, smoking and alcoholism.

National project coordinator, Health care package for improving quality of care of ageing population in Nigeria , HEPIQ-C, Dr Saidu Ahmed who said the programme was timely, hinted that the present administration was doing all to ensure enhanced and improved quality of care for the elderly.

Oyo state governor, engineer Seyi Makinde in a message through the state deputy Head of Service,Olawale Mogbonjubola pledged the determination of the state government to take good care of the elderly.

Adedayo Adelowo