Forgetfulness is often associated with ageing, but persistent memory loss, repeated questions and difficulty performing everyday tasks should not be dismissed as a normal part of growing old, health experts have warned.
With India’s ageing population expanding, doctors stress that early recognition of dementia can help patients receive timely assessment, appropriate care and better support for their families.
Dr Harjit Singh Bhatti, consultant in geriatric medicine at Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research, said families should watch for lasting changes in memory, behaviour and daily functioning.
“Repeatedly asking the same question within minutes, forgetting an important conversation, getting lost in a familiar neighbourhood or struggling with routine household tasks are warning signs,” he said.
Other symptoms may include difficulty managing medicines or finances, language problems, unusual suspicion, irritability and a loss of interest in everyday activities.
Early Assessment Can Help
Dr Shelly Dutta, associate professor of medicine at RML Hospital, said families should look for progressive changes rather than judge memory problems by a single incident.
She warned that stigma and the belief that cognitive decline is simply part of old age can delay diagnosis and make caregiving more difficult.
“Families should approach the person with patience and dignity, avoid confrontation and document the changes they observe,” Dutta said. She added that information from close relatives can help doctors during medical consultations and allow families to plan for safety and long-term care.
Identifying Treatable Causes
Dr Avinash Chakrawarty, head of geriatric medicine at the National Centre for Ageing at AIIMS, Delhi, said dementia assessment requires a comprehensive clinical evaluation rather than a single memory test.
Doctors may review medical history and medicines, conduct neurological examinations and use screening tools such as the Mini-Cog, Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Blood tests and brain imaging may also be recommended when necessary.
Chakrawarty noted that depression, sleep disorders, medication side-effects, vitamin B12 deficiency and thyroid problems can affect memory, and some causes are treatable.
Dementia is an umbrella term for conditions that impair thinking and independence. Alzheimer’s disease is its most common cause, while other forms include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia.
Bhatti said advances in diagnostic methods and treatments for eligible patients with early Alzheimer’s disease make timely diagnosis increasingly important.
“Not every forgotten name should cause alarm, but persistent and progressive memory loss must not be ignored,” he said, urging families to seek medical advice and support older people with dignity.
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