Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 28: Forgetfulness may accompany ageing, but persistent memory loss, repeated questioning and difficulty performing familiar tasks could indicate dementia and should not be dismissed as a normal part of growing old, experts have warned.
With India’s ageing population expanding, early recognition of dementia is crucial for timely medical assessment, identifying treatable conditions, planning appropriate care and supporting families dealing with the progressive condition, they said.
Dr Harjit Singh Bhatti, consultant in geriatric medicine at Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research, said families should pay attention when older people begin showing persistent changes in memory, behaviour or everyday functioning.
“Occasionally forgetting where you placed your spectacles or taking longer to recall a name can occur with normal ageing. Dementia is different. 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.
Unexplained financial mistakes, difficulty managing medicines, language problems and unusual suspicion, irritability or apathy also warrant medical evaluation, Bhatti added.
Dr Shelly Dutta, associate professor of medicine at RML Hospital, said families should look for a pattern of progressive changes rather than judge memory problems based on an isolated incident.
“An important distinction is whether forgetfulness begins to interfere with a person’s ability to manage everyday life. If someone who has independently handled household responsibilities for years suddenly struggles with familiar tasks, repeatedly misses appointments or cannot manage routine financial transactions, the family should seek medical advice,” Dutta said.
She emphasised that social stigma and the tendency to attribute all cognitive changes to old age could delay diagnosis and make caregiving more difficult.
“Families should approach the person with patience and dignity, avoid confrontation and document the changes they observe. A relative who knows the person well can provide valuable information during a medical consultation. Early assessment also gives families time to understand the condition, discuss safety and plan long-term support,” she said.
Dr Avinash Chakrawarty, head of geriatric medicine at the National Centre for Ageing at AIIMS, Delhi, said dementia assessment requires a comprehensive clinical evaluation and cannot be based on a single memory test or an isolated symptom.
“The assessment should include a detailed history from the individual and a close family member, a review of medicines, neurological examination and an evaluation of how cognitive changes affect daily activities. Doctors may use validated screening tools such as the Mini-Cog, Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment to identify possible cognitive impairment,” he said.
Depending on the findings, investigations may include blood tests to check vitamin B12 levels, thyroid function and metabolic abnormalities, along with brain imaging where indicated.
“Depression, sleep disorders, medication side-effects and certain medical conditions can also affect memory and concentration. Some of these causes are treatable, which is why it is important not to assume that every instance of forgetfulness is dementia,” Chakrawarty added.
Bhatti said that while not every forgotten name should cause concern, persistent and progressive memory loss must not be ignored.
“We may not be able to prevent every case of dementia, but early recognition can help families access appropriate care, plan for safety and support caregivers with greater understanding and dignity,” he said.