India’s population is aging, and people are now living longer lives. With longer life expectancy comes a rising incidence of dementia. It is therefore not surprising that:
The estimated dementia prevalence for adults aged 60+ in India is 7.4%.
About 8.8 million Indians over the age of 60 are living with dementia.
Dementia is more common in females than males and is more prevalent in rural areas compared to urban areas.
Who is at higher risk of developing dementia? People above 60 years of age, women, individuals with high blood pressure or diabetes, smokers, people with low educational levels, and those living in rural areas have a higher chance of developing dementia.
Dementia is an umbrella term for several conditions that cause a progressive decline in brain function. This decline affects memory, language, problem-solving, thinking and decision-making abilities. Eventually, dementia affects a person’s ability to live independently.
Age-related memory loss is different from dementia. An elderly person may forget where they kept their car keys—that is normal aging. But a person with dementia may look at the keys and still not recognise what they are or how to use them. Someone with dementia may demand breakfast even if they ate just an hour ago.
There are many causes of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and Parkinson’s disease are among the common ones. Most forms of dementia are progressive and not curable, but some types can be treated and reversed if identified early.
Symptoms of dementia include:
Short-term memory loss
Difficulty speaking, understanding, reading or writing
Confusion, wandering and getting lost
Repeating the same questions over and over
Slowness in doing everyday tasks
Hallucinations and delusions
Lack of interest in surroundings
Movement problems and frequent falls
What can help reduce the severity or risk of dementia?
Regular physical activity is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of dementia. It keeps the heart, circulation, weight and mental well-being in good condition.
There are two main types of physical activity: aerobic activity and strength-building activity. A combination of both is ideal.
Aerobic activity
Helps maintain heart, lung and circulatory health—and supports brain function.
Strength-building activity
Works major muscles such as legs, back, stomach, shoulders and arms. This helps with daily tasks and improves blood sugar control, reducing the risk of diabetes, which is a dementia risk factor. Strength-building exercises should be done at least two days a week.
Include wholegrain foods in meals—whole-wheat bread, rice, millets, pasta.
Eat more fruits, vegetables, pulses, nuts and seeds.
Eat less red meat, and especially avoid processed meats.
Consume fish regularly, especially oily fish like salmon and mackerel.
Choose low-fat dairy options.
Use vegetable oils like olive oil or rapeseed oil; avoid butter, lard and ghee when possible.
Limit salt to no more than 6g a day.
Keep sugary foods as occasional treats.
Smoking greatly increases the risk of dementia. It damages blood circulation in the brain, heart and lungs.
Drinking too much alcohol raises the risk of dementia. Alcohol should be consumed in moderation, ideally not exceeding 14 units per week spread over at least three days.
Learn new skills—a language, an instrument, new games.
Join arts and crafts classes.
Volunteer in community service or with organisations like Alzheimer’s support groups.
Do brainteasers—puzzles, crosswords, quizzes, sudoku.
Play card games or chess.
Read books.
Engage in creative writing or journaling.
Stay active on social media.
Join groups of friends, classmates or relatives; meet regularly.
Socialise, chat and stay connected.
Take vacations or short trips.
Participate in social work activities.
