IISc researchers call for a national dementia policy to address the growing needs of elderly patients and their caregivers in India. The policy should integrate dementia care into existing health frameworks and consider cultural factors.
Dementia is a growing public health challenge in India, affecting millions of elderly individuals and placing a significant burden on families and healthcare systems. A recent paper published in The Lancet Psychiatry by researchers from the Centre for Brain Research at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive national dementia policy. The paper advocates for integrating dementia care into both geriatric and mental health programs, while also considering India’s unique cultural, social, and economic factors.
As India’s aging population grows, experts warn that the country is not adequately prepared to handle the increasing number of dementia cases. The call for a national dementia policy is crucial to ensuring timely diagnosis, affordable treatment, caregiver support, and public awareness.
Dementia is a progressive neurological disorder that affects memory, cognition, and behavior. It is not a normal part of aging but a medical condition requiring specialized care. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for 60-70% of cases.
India’s elderly population is rapidly increasing, leading to a surge in dementia cases. According to estimates:
The absence of a structured national dementia policy in India has left millions of patients and caregivers struggling without adequate medical, financial, or emotional support. The IISc researchers have identified key gaps in India’s dementia care framework, making policy intervention a necessity.
Dementia often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in India due to low awareness, social stigma, and lack of trained medical professionals. Many families mistake early symptoms like memory loss and confusion for normal aging, delaying medical intervention.
India has a severe shortage of neurologists, geriatricians, and specialized dementia caregivers. The few existing specialists are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural patients with little to no access to quality dementia care.
Dementia care is expensive and mostly out-of-pocket, as most Indian insurance schemes do not cover long-term dementia treatment or home care. This places an immense financial strain on families, particularly in low- and middle-income households.
Family caregivers, often women, bear the emotional and physical burden of looking after dementia patients. Without professional training and mental health support, caregivers frequently experience burnout, depression, and financial hardship.
Unlike Western countries, where specialized dementia care facilities exist, India lacks community-based dementia care centers, memory clinics, and professional home-care services. The traditional joint-family system is declining, leaving elderly dementia patients with fewer caregivers.
The IISc researchers stress that India needs a structured, multi-pronged dementia policy that integrates dementia care with existing geriatric and mental health frameworks. Their recommendations include:
India’s cultural beliefs and traditions play a significant role in dementia care. Unlike Western countries, where elderly care is often institutionalized, Indian families traditionally care for elders at home. However, with urbanization and nuclear families becoming the norm, traditional caregiving structures are weakening.
Several countries have successfully implemented national dementia policies, which India can take inspiration from:
India must act now to develop a comprehensive dementia policy that aligns with its healthcare system, financial constraints, and cultural realities. The IISc researchers’ recommendations provide a blueprint for urgent action to ensure that dementia patients and caregivers receive the support they need.
A national dementia policy will not only improve healthcare outcomes but also ease the financial and emotional burden on families, ensuring a dignified life for India’s elderly population. The time to act is now—before the dementia crisis escalates beyond control.
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