PANAJI
Goa faces a stark reality -- a growing health challenge that comes with an ageing population, with an estimated 9 per cent of its seniors aged 65 and above affected by Alzheimer’s disease. As the world marks World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21 and the disease striking its population of seniors at a rate higher than the rest of India, which has a 6 per cent prevalence among the same 65 and above segment, experts say the public as well as private healthcare sector in the State must confront the challenge of dementia-related illnesses with urgency. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and slowly destroys memory, thinking ability, and eventually, the capacity to perform even simple daily tasks. It often begins as forgetting recent conversations or repeatedly misplacing belongings and gradually progresses to confusion, personality changes and complete dependence on caregivers.
Former Goa Medical College professor Dr Roque Wiseman Pinto says Alzheimer’s is not merely a disease of memory but a major public health concern of ageing societies. “Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and is now the seventh leading cause of death. As societies age, the number of cases inevitably rise,” Dr Pinto said.
Globally, more than 55 million people are living with dementia, with Alzheimer’s accounting for an estimated 60 to 70 per cent of cases. India is estimated to have between 8 million and 8.8 million people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. According to Dr Pinto, age remains the single biggest risk factor. Incidence rises sharply from about four new cases per 1,000 people between ages 60 and 74 to 76 new cases per 1,000 among those above 85 years.
He noted that while genetic factors account for only a small proportion of cases, lifestyle-related conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity, poor sleep and air pollution significantly increase risk. “Healthy living remains our best defence. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, control of blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, along with social and mental engagement, can help reduce the risk,” Dr Pinto said.
Medical professionals across Goa have reported a steady rise in dementia diagnoses in clinics and hospitals, a trend linked partly to the State’s higher life expectancy and larger elderly population. Experts said social isolation, depression and sedentary lifestyles are the emerging contributors to it.
For families, early diagnosis can make a crucial difference. Cognitive assessments, brain imaging and newer biomarker tests are improving the ability to identify the disease in its early stages. While there is still no cure, treatments and supportive care can help slow progression and improve quality of life.
Several doctors we spoke to stressed that awareness, prevention and compassion are as important as medical advances in addressing this condition which affects not just the patients, but entire families and communities.
