‘It was hard on him’: Actress Joke Silva opens up on late husband Olu Jacobs’ battle with Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva has opened up about the health challenges faced by her late husband, legendary actor Olu Jacobs, revealing that he lived with Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), a progressive condition that affects the brain.
Silva made the revelation during an appearance on the podcast WithChude, hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo, where she spoke about the impact of the condition on Jacobs and their family.
According to the actress, the condition affected Jacobs’ ability to understand what was happening around him and made everyday experiences difficult for him.
She described Dementia with Lewy bodies as a degenerative disease that affects the brain, noting that it shares some similarities with Parkinson’s disease.
“Well, he’s dealing with issues, and it has been going on for a couple of years. It is known as dementia with Lewy bodies. It is a degenerative disease that affects the brain and it is almost like a kind of Parkinson, but that it affects only the brain,” Silva said.
She added that it was the first time she was publicly disclosing the specific condition her husband had been battling.
First time I will say that publicly. I am saying it here publicly,” she said.
Reacting to the revelation, Chude Jideonwo told Silva that he was honoured to hear her speak openly about the situation.
Silva explained that she had always known that there would come a time when she would have to speak publicly about Jacobs’ condition, but said the experience had been difficult for both the actor and members of their family.
“I know, of course, a time will come that I will disclose this publicly and people have to know. The thing is that it is hard on him because he does not understand what is going on, and it is equally hard on the members of the family as well,” she said.
The actress said the family had gone through the difficult experience for several years and remained grateful to God for helping them through the period.
“We have gone through it over the last couple of years and we thank God,” she added.
Olu Jacobs, who died at the age of 84 on September 16, 2026, was one of the most respected figures in Nigerian cinema, with a career spanning theatre, television and film.
Silva’s account has also offered the public a glimpse into the private challenges faced by the family while caring for the veteran actor during his final years.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia refers to a decline in mental abilities that affects a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities. It occurs when parts of the brain responsible for functions such as learning, memory, decision-making and language become damaged.
Dementia is not a specific disease but a general clinical term used to describe a group of symptoms caused by underlying brain conditions. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.
A person living with dementia may forget the name of a close friend or family member, struggle to remember familiar information or even become lost in a neighborhood they have lived in for many years.
Dementia is not considered a normal part of ageing. While it can affect a person’s lifespan, the impact varies depending on the underlying condition and other individual factors.
An estimated 6.7 million adults aged 65 and older in the United States are living with dementia.
Types of dementia
There are three broad types of dementia, classified according to their underlying causes:
Primary dementia: This occurs when a disease affecting the brain is the main cause of dementia, without another condition being responsible. Examples include Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia and mixed dementia, which occurs when a person has more than one type of dementia.
Secondary dementia: This type develops as a result of another medical condition that causes changes in the body and affects brain function. Examples include dementia associated with certain infections or long-term alcohol use.
Reversible dementia: Some causes of dementia symptoms may be reversible when the underlying problem is identified and treated. These can include vitamin deficiencies, certain medication side effects and other treatable medical conditions.
Symptoms and Causes
Symptoms of dementia
Symptoms can vary based on the type and the area of your brain that has the most damage.
Cognitive symptoms
Cognitive symptoms are changes to your thinking and understanding. These may include:
Difficulty sharing thoughts: Having trouble saying what you want to say
Memory loss: Forgetting names, past events or things you just learned
Problems following directions: Not understanding or remembering steps
Trouble with language: Finding it hard to read, write or understand words
Behavioral and psychological symptoms
These are changes in how you feel or relate to others. They can affect your mood, interests and personality. These may include:
Agitation: Feeling restless or upset
Anxiety: Feeling nervous or worried
Depression: Losing interest or feeling sad
Disorientation: Not knowing where you are or what time it is
Irritability: Feeling frustrated or upset by tasks that used to be easy
Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there
Paranoia: Thinking others are trying to hurt or trick you
Fidgeting or repeating movements: Pacing or finger tapping
Sleep problems: Waking up often at night or sleeping during the day
Dementia stages
Doctors may describe dementia in stages, based on how symptoms get worse over time. The three main stages are:
Early-stage dementia (mild)
Middle-stage dementia (moderate)
Late-stage dementia (severe)
In the early stage, it affects your daily life, but not severely. You may notice some memory or thinking problems, but you can still do most self-care tasks at home, like dressing, bathing and making simple meals.
In the middle stage, thinking and daily tasks become harder. You may need reminders or prompts to complete them.
In the late stage, you need daily help and may require full-time care. Most thinking skills are lost, and you need support with basic activities, like eating, bathing and getting dressed.
Dementia causes
Damaged brain cells cause dementia. In most cases, this damage comes from a neurodegenerative disease (a disease that slowly harms brain cells over time). These changes affect the parts of your brain that control memory, learning, language and decision-making.
Brain cells need to “talk” to each other by sending electrical signals. These signals help your brain work. When something blocks the signals or damages the cells, your brain can’t work properly.
Researchers are still studying why dementia develops in some people and not in others. In rare cases, a gene change can cause it.
Secondary dementia causes
Common disorders and conditions that cause secondary dementia include:
Alcohol-related
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Encephalitis
Meningitis
Multiple sclerosis
Traumatic brain injury
Wilson disease
Reversible dementia causes
With reversible dementia, symptoms may go away once your provider treats what’s causing them. Some common causes include:
Bleeding in the brain (subdural hematomas)
Brain tumors
Diseases of other body organs (liver cirrhosis, renal failure)
Fluid buildup in your brain (normal pressure hydrocephalus)
Hormone-related disorders (Addison’s disease, Cushing’s disease, thyroid disorders)
Infections (like HIV, syphilis)
Medicine side effects (from certain drugs, like anticholinergics or benzodiazepines)
Vitamin deficiencies (not enough vitamins, like B1, B6, B12, copper or vitamin E)
Risk factors
Certain factors may raise your chances of developing dementia. These include:
Age: You can’t avoid it, but getting older is the biggest risk. Most diagnoses happen after age 65.
Family history: If a biological parent or sibling has it, you may be more likely to get it, too.
Down syndrome: This condition increases your risk of getting symptoms, especially at an earlier age.
Heart and blood vessel problems: Conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking can damage blood vessels. Poor blood flow and strokes can increase your risk as well.
Race and ethnicity: Black adults are about twice as likely, and Hispanic adults are about 1.5 times more likely than white adults to develop dementia.
Serious brain injury: A severe head injury and loss of consciousness during your life can raise your risk.
Complications
Your brain controls everything your body does. When it stops working properly, it can affect your overall health. Dementia can lead to serious problems, including:
Bedsores
Dehydration and poor nutrition
Trouble managing your pee or poop
Falls, injuries or broken bones
Pneumonia
Sepsis
Some of these problems can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. Unmanaged symptoms may lead to early death.
Diagnosis and Tests
How doctors diagnose dementia
To find out if you have dementia, a provider will:
Ask about your symptoms, like when they started and how often they happen
Review your personal and family medical history
Look at the medications you’re currently taking
Order tests
Diagnosing dementia can take time. That’s because many other disorders can cause similar symptoms. Your care team may need to rule out other problems first. While they work on getting the right diagnosis, they’ll help you manage symptoms.
Dementia testing
Your provider may use one or more of the following tests to confirm a diagnosis:
Blood tests
CT scan
MRI
Mental status exam
PET scan
Neuropsychiatric evaluation
Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
Management and Treatment
Is there a cure for dementia?
Right now, there’s no cure. Researchers are working to better understand it. But many types of dementia are treatable.
How is dementia treated?
No treatment can completely stop dementia from getting worse. But your provider can help you manage symptoms and reduce how much they affect your daily life.
Treatment can look different for each person because dementia affects everyone in different ways. What works well for one person may not work the same for you. Some treatments may also become less helpful as the disease progresses.
Dementia medications
Medicines are usually the first type of treatment for most kinds of dementia. Common options include:
Cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine): These improve memory by changing the chemical balance in your brain.
NMDA receptor antagonist (memantine): This medicine controls signals in your brain. It may help with memory and make it easier to do everyday activities.
Anti-amyloid therapies (lecanemab, donanemab): These medications may help in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. They slow disease progression and are effective by removing the amyloid plaques in your brain.
Antidepressants and antipsychotics: These may help with mood and behavior changes, anxiety or other symptoms.
Your provider will explain which medicine is best for you and what side effects to watch for before starting treatment.
Non-medication-related dementia treatment
Treatment may include additional ways to support and improve your brain function, including:
Managing any health conditions that affect your brain, like diabetes and blood pressure
Balancing your vitamin, calcium, thyroid or blood sugar levels
Changing your medication type or dose
Having surgery to remove a tumor or reduce pressure in your brain
Treating infections with medications
Eating heart-healthy foods
Participating in regular physical exercise
Being socially engaged
Having hobbies to challenge your thinking skills
When should I see a healthcare provider?
Make an appointment with a provider if you or your loved ones notice changes in your:
Ability to perform everyday tasks
Behavior
Memory
Mental functioning
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?
If you or a loved one has dementia, you may want to ask a healthcare provider:
What symptoms should I look out for?
What type of treatment do you recommend?
What is the life expectancy?
Is living independently possible?
Outlook / Prognosis
What can I expect if I have dementia?
Dementia gets worse over time. Even with treatment, your memory and thinking skills may continue to decline. This can affect your safety and ability to care for yourself or loved ones.
It’s a good idea to make an advance directive. This is a written plan that tells your providers and family what kind of medical care you want in the future.
As symptoms progress, you may have to make tough decisions to stay safe. This could include:
Not driving
Getting help at home
Moving to a full-time care facility
These choices aren’t easy and can affect your emotions. Talking to a mental health professional or joining a support group may help you cope.
Researchers are still studying ways to cure dementia. New treatments and care options may be available in the future.
What’s the life expectancy of a person with dementia?
Dementia is a serious condition that usually shortens your life. But how long you live with dementia can vary.
One study found that people with Alzheimer’s disease lived for about 5.8 years after getting a dementia diagnosis. But people can live longer if they’re in otherwise good medical health.
Providers look at many things to help estimate life expectancy, including:
Your overall health
Any other medical conditions you have
How advanced symptoms are
Each person’s medical history and life situation is different. Both can affect life expectancy.
Prevention
Can dementia be prevented?
You can’t prevent all types. But there are ways to lower your risk for some kinds. A healthcare provider can help you stay healthy and keep your brain strong. They may suggest:
Quit smoking.
Eat healthy meals with a balance of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Be active for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
Keep your brain busy with puzzles, word games, reading or new activities.
Stay social by talking with friends and family to support your mental and emotional health.
Get your hearing and vision checked and treated to decrease risk of cognitive impairment.
Manage your risk factors, like diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol carefully.-