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An elderly Cuban man residing in El Vedado, Havana, has been reported missing by his family, who are seeking help on social media to locate him.
The man's name is Emilio Fernández Bodez, he suffers from Alzheimer's and lives next to the Coppelia ice cream shop.
"Aid is requested from the community of Vedado and the surrounding areas," demanded Yani Santos, the great-niece of the elderly man, in the group Facebook "Ventas Vedado".
The young woman shared several phone numbers that can be called if anyone has information: 58438322, 53170535, and 53252021.
Yani did not provide details about the circumstances under which her great-uncle went missing.
The disappearance of individuals with mental illnesses, especially the elderly, has increased in Cuba due to the lack of medication that destabilizes these patients, as they do not receive the appropriate treatment to prevent episodes of forgetfulness and disorientation.
Alzheimer's patients are particularly vulnerable, which increases the concern of their families, who turn to digital means to seek help due to the inefficiency of the authorities and the lack of an official channel to assist in the search.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Disappearance of Elderly People with Alzheimer's in Cuba
Why have disappearances of elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s increased in Cuba?
The increase in the disappearance of elderly individuals with Alzheimer's in Cuba is mainly due to the lack of access to essential medications to manage the disease. This leads to disorientation and memory problems, increasing the risk of these elderly individuals getting lost. The situation is worsened by the inefficiency of the authorities and the absence of an official channel for the search of missing persons.
How are Cuban families searching for their missing loved ones?
Cuban families primarily turn to social media to seek help and raise awareness about missing persons cases. Due to the lack of an official channel and the inefficiency of the authorities, social media has become a crucial tool in the effort to locate their loved ones.
What impact does the lack of medication have on the mental health of Cubans?
The shortage of medications in Cuba destabilizes patients with mental illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, impacting their normal behavior and increasing the risk of disorientation or getting lost. This public health issue causes distress in families, who must cope with the disappearance of their loved ones without sufficient support from the state.
What is the role of the Cuban government regarding the disappearances of people with mental illnesses?
The Cuban government has not established an effective official channel for searching for missing persons, especially those with mental illnesses. Families and communities are forced to act on their own due to the lack of state support in these critical situations, mainly turning to social media for assistance.
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