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Dementia Cases in India to Nearly Double by 2036, Experts Urge Early Recognition
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News18•22-09-2026, 19:00
Dementia Cases in India to Nearly Double by 2036, Experts Urge Early Recognition
- •India is projected to see dementia cases among those aged 60 and above nearly double from 8.8 million to 16.9 million by 2036.
- •Healthcare experts emphasize the critical need for earlier recognition of cognitive changes and timely medical guidance.
- •Doctors stress that memory, cognition, and everyday functioning changes should not be dismissed as normal aging, especially with Alzheimer's accounting for most cases.
- •Early recognition allows patients and families to understand the condition, plan care, access support, and discuss individual needs.
- •Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that can begin developing 20 years before symptoms appear due to amyloid protein accumulation.
Key Questions Answered
India is estimated to have 8.8 million people aged 60 and above living with dementia, a figure projected to nearly double to 16.9 million by 2036 according to healthcare experts and studies.
Early recognition helps patients and their families understand the condition, plan appropriate care, access support systems, and hold meaningful conversations regarding the individual's needs and future preferences.
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for the majority of dementia cases in India, acting as a progressive neurodegenerative condition that impacts cognition, communication, and independence.
