Bengaluru: It initially begins with instances of forgetfulness - not remembering conversations you had with your children just two days ago or things like, persistently checking your bank passbook.
The Dementia India Report 2010, the only inventory study on dementia prevalence, reported that there are 30,000 cases of dementia in the city. With these numbers on the rise, mental health experts are a stressed lot.
Dr. Soumya Hegde, Consultant Geriatric Psychiatrist, Associate Director, Nightingales Centre for Ageing and Alzheimer's says, the centre has witnessed an increase in these numbers since 2010.
“Definitely, there has been a 25% increase since the year 2010 with a large number of new patients constantly filling our centre,” adds Dr. Soumya who says on an average, the centre treats 25 patients who are in distress, but this is only in one centre.
Startlingly, of all the dementia cases walking into memory clinics, support groups or NGOs, about 70% to 80% of the cases can be attributed to Alzheimer's disease.
