Kolkata, September 21, 2026: On World Alzheimer’s Day, mental health and wellness organisation Annantaa highlighted the importance of recognising cognitive and behavioural changes at an early stage and seeking timely professional evaluation for dementia.
Aligned with this year’s global theme, “The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters,” the initiative aims to encourage individuals and families to take persistent changes in memory, thinking, behaviour and everyday functioning seriously instead of dismissing them as a normal part of ageing.
Speaking on the importance of early diagnosis, Ms. Madhuri Sarda, Counselling Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist and Founder, Annantaa, and Vidhi Bansal, Co-Founder and Psychotherapist, Annantaa, emphasised the need for greater awareness and timely professional support.
Dementia is more than just memory loss. Early warning signs may include repeatedly asking the same questions, forgetting recent information, difficulty finding familiar words, losing track of dates or appointments, struggling with familiar tasks, confusion in familiar surroundings, difficulty with planning or decision-making, changes in judgement or personality, and withdrawal from regular activities.
While occasional forgetfulness may not necessarily indicate dementia, persistent or progressively worsening changes that begin to interfere with everyday life, work, communication, responsibilities or social interactions should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 57 million people worldwide were living with dementia in 2021. Dementia becomes more common with advancing age, particularly after 65, although it is not an inevitable part of ageing.
In India, a nationwide analysis based on the Longitudinal Aging Study in India estimates that approximately 7.4% of people aged 60 and above live with dementia, equivalent to around 8.8 million people. The state-level analysis estimates the prevalence in West Bengal at 9.23%, compared with the national estimate of 7.43%. These figures refer to dementia overall and not specifically to Alzheimer’s disease.
Dementia can also affect people below the age of 65, a condition commonly referred to as young-onset or early-onset dementia. In younger adults, early symptoms may involve changes in personality, behaviour, language, concentration, planning or decision-making and may sometimes be mistaken for stress or burnout.
Ms. Madhuri Sarda said, “A diagnosis does not define a person; it gives a family clarity about what they are facing.” She added that early evaluation can give individuals and families more time to understand the condition, make informed decisions and prepare emotionally and practically for the future.
A timely assessment can also help identify other potentially treatable causes of cognitive changes. Early diagnosis may provide individuals with more time to participate in decisions about their future, plan care and finances, make appropriate lifestyle and safety changes, explore available treatment and support options, and prepare caregivers and family members.
Although Alzheimer’s disease remains a progressive condition with no cure, early diagnosis can support symptom management, quality of life and access to appropriate care and support. Research has also shown that changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease can begin years before noticeable symptoms appear, making awareness and timely assessment particularly important.
On World Alzheimer’s Day, Annantaa urged individuals and families not to ignore persistent changes in memory, language, behaviour or everyday functioning at any age. The organisation emphasised the need to reduce stigma and promote a more informed, empathetic and supportive approach towards dementia.
