To Understand And Be Understood: India Has A Dementia Emergency

Summary of this article

Dementia is an illness which impairs the brain's mental processes.

National policies should ensure that services are developed to support the increasing need for people with dementia across the country.

At present, an estimated one crore Indians aged over 60 years old have dementia.

Dementia is a generic term to describe an illness of the brain which impairs mental processes such as memory, speech, orientation, planning, organisational ability, and behaviour and personality. Many diseases can cause dementia. It may be easy to understand by drawing an analogy with fever. Many diseases, such as typhoid, dengue and malaria can cause fever. Similarly, many diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Body disease can cause demen