• Dr Koustubh Bagul
• Blog

World Alzheimer’s Day is observed every year on 21 September to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. It is an opportunity to learn about the early warning signs, encourage timely medical evaluation, reduce stigma, and support individuals and families affected by memory and cognitive changes.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that primarily affects memory, thinking, behaviour, and the ability to perform everyday activities. It is the most common cause of dementia. While occasional forgetfulness can occur with ageing, persistent or worsening memory loss should not automatically be considered a normal part of getting older.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease gradually affects areas of the brain responsible for memory, thinking, communication, reasoning, and other cognitive abilities.

In the beginning, the changes may be subtle. A person may forget recent conversations, repeat questions, misplace belongings, or struggle to remember familiar information. As the condition progresses, these difficulties can begin to interfere with daily activities and independence.

It is important to remember that Alzheimer’s disease symptoms can vary from person to person. Memory loss can also occur due to several other medical, psychological, or medication-related causes. A proper evaluation is therefore important before assuming that memory problems are due to Alzheimer’s disease.

Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

Recognising the early signs of Alzheimer’s can help families seek professional advice at the right time.

Some common signs may include:

• Frequently forgetting recent conversations or events
• Repeating the same questions or statements
• Misplacing belongings and being unable to retrace steps
• Difficulty finding familiar words
• Getting confused in familiar surroundings
• Difficulty completing familiar everyday tasks
• Problems with planning or decision-making
• Increasing difficulty managing finances or medications
• Changes in mood, personality, or behaviour
• Withdrawal from social activities
• Difficulty recognising familiar people or places
• Increasing dependence on others for everyday activities

Experiencing an occasional memory lapse does not necessarily mean a person has Alzheimer’s disease. The concern becomes greater when the changes are persistent, progressive, and affecting everyday life.

Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms: When Should Memory Loss Be Taken Seriously?

Memory loss can have many possible causes. Stress, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, certain medications, nutritional deficiencies, and other medical conditions can sometimes affect memory and concentration.

However, if an older adult is increasingly forgetting important information, getting lost in familiar places, struggling with routine activities, or showing noticeable changes in behaviour or personality, professional assessment should be considered.

Early evaluation can help determine whether the symptoms are related to Alzheimer’s disease, another form of dementia, or another treatable condition.

Alzheimer’s Disease vs Normal Age-Related Forgetfulness

It is normal for some older adults to occasionally forget a name, misplace an item, or take longer to recall information.

With Alzheimer’s disease, however, memory and cognitive difficulties tend to become more frequent and may interfere with daily functioning.

For example, occasionally forgetting an appointment may happen with normal ageing. Repeatedly forgetting important appointments despite reminders, getting lost in familiar surroundings, or being unable to complete familiar tasks may warrant further evaluation.

The pattern, progression, and effect on daily life are important factors when assessing dementia symptoms.

How Is Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosed?

There is no single test that can independently diagnose every case of Alzheimer’s disease. A healthcare professional may use several types of information to understand the person’s symptoms and overall health.

Depending on the situation, an assessment may include:

• Detailed medical and family history
• Assessment of memory and other cognitive abilities
• Physical and neurological examination
• Review of current medications
• Blood tests or other investigations when indicated
• Assessment of mood and mental health
• Brain imaging when clinically required

A detailed evaluation is particularly important because several conditions can cause symptoms similar to those associated with dementia.

Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment and Management

Currently, there is no universal cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, appropriate medical care can help manage symptoms, support functioning, address associated problems, and improve quality of life.

Depending on the individual, Alzheimer’s disease treatment and management may involve:

• Medicines when clinically appropriate
• Management of anxiety, depression, sleep problems, or behavioural symptoms
• Physical activity and healthy lifestyle measures
• Cognitive and social engagement
• Regular medical follow-up
• Support and education for family members and caregivers
• Planning for changing care and safety needs

Treatment should always be individualised according to the person’s symptoms, overall health, stage of disease, and specific needs.

Can Alzheimer’s Disease Risk Be Reduced?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. However, taking care of overall brain and cardiovascular health may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Healthy habits include:

• Staying physically active
• Eating a balanced diet
• Avoiding tobacco
• Limiting harmful alcohol use
• Maintaining healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
• Staying socially connected
• Keeping the brain mentally active
• Addressing hearing and vision problems
• Maintaining healthy sleep habits

These measures cannot guarantee prevention, but they form an important part of healthy ageing.

Dementia in Elderly: Why Family Members Should Pay Attention

Dementia in elderly individuals can affect much more than memory. Changes in judgement, communication, behaviour, mood, and the ability to manage everyday tasks can also occur.

Family members are often among the first people to notice these changes.

If an older family member begins repeating questions frequently, forgetting familiar information, struggling with routine tasks, becoming unusually withdrawn, or showing significant behavioural changes, it is worth discussing these concerns with a healthcare professional.

Early assessment can help families understand the situation and plan appropriate care and support.

When Should You Consult a Psychiatrist in Indore?

Persistent memory problems can sometimes occur alongside depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, behavioural changes, or other mental-health concerns. A psychiatrist in Indore can assess these symptoms as part of a broader mental-health and neuropsychiatric evaluation and guide the family regarding the next appropriate steps.

You should consider seeking professional help if you notice:

• Progressive memory loss
• Increasing confusion
• Significant personality or behavioural changes
• Persistent anxiety or depression
• Social withdrawal
• Difficulty performing familiar daily activities
• Problems with sleep or unusual behavioural changes
• Increasing dependence on family members
• Concerns about memory raised by relatives or caregivers

A timely assessment can help distinguish between different possible causes of cognitive and behavioural changes.

Dr. Koustubh Bagul at Brain & Mind Neuropsychiatry Center, Indore

Dr. Koustubh Bagul, Psychiatrist & Neuropsychiatrist in Indore, provides evaluation and management for a range of psychiatric and neuropsychiatric concerns, including mental-health and behavioural problems affecting older adults.

At Brain & Mind Neuropsychiatry Center, Indore, individuals and families can seek professional guidance when they notice persistent changes in memory, mood, behaviour, sleep, or daily functioning.

If you are concerned about Alzheimer’s disease symptoms or dementia symptoms in an elderly family member, seeking an appropriate medical evaluation can be an important first step toward understanding the cause and planning further care.

World Alzheimer’s Day – 21 September

World Alzheimer’s Day reminds us that memory loss should not always be dismissed as a normal part of ageing.

Recognising the early signs of Alzheimer’s, seeking timely evaluation, and providing support to individuals and caregivers can make an important difference in managing the challenges associated with dementia.

This World Alzheimer’s Day, take a moment to notice the changes, start the conversation, and seek professional guidance when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alzheimer’s disease a normal part of ageing?
No. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal or inevitable part of ageing. Persistent or progressive cognitive changes should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

What are the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease?
Common early signs can include difficulty remembering recent information, repeating questions, misplacing belongings, difficulty completing familiar tasks, and changes in thinking or behaviour.

Does every memory problem mean Alzheimer’s disease?
No. Memory problems can have several causes, including sleep problems, depression, anxiety, medications, nutritional deficiencies, and other medical conditions. Professional assessment can help identify the underlying cause.

Can Alzheimer’s disease be treated?
There is currently no universal cure, but appropriate treatment and supportive care can help manage symptoms, maintain functioning, and improve quality of life.

When should an elderly person with memory loss see a psychiatrist?
If memory loss is persistent, worsening, affecting daily activities, or accompanied by mood, sleep, personality, or behavioural changes, professional evaluation should be considered.

Can lifestyle changes help reduce dementia risk?
Regular physical activity, a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco, limiting harmful alcohol use, managing conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, staying socially active, and maintaining cognitive activity may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.