Dementia cases in India projected to nearly double by 2036

India is estimated to have 8.8 million people aged 60 years and above living with dementia, a number projected to nearly double to 16.9 million by 2036, underscoring the need for earlier recognition of cognitive changes and timely medical guidance, healthcare experts said.With Alzheimer’s disease accounting for the majority of dementia cases, doctors stressed that changes in memory, cognition and everyday functioning should not automatically be dismissed as a normal part of ageing.They said early recognition can help patients and families understand the condition, plan care, access appropriate support and have conversations about the individual’s needs and preferences.Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that can affect cognition, communication, decision-making, independence and everyday life. It can begin developing as early as 20 years before typical symptoms appear, when amyloid protein abnormally accumulates in the brain, according to the healthcare experts.”Alzheimer’s disease is not defined by memory loss alone.