Staff Reporter : Kolkata, September 21, 2026: On World Alzheimer’s Day, Annantaa highlights the importance of recognising cognitive changes early and seeking a timely dementia diagnosis, in line with this year’s global theme, “The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters.” The initiative draws attention to dementia as a growing public-health concern and encourages people to pay attention to ongoing changes in memory, thinking, behaviour or everyday functioning, rather than simply dismissing them as a part of ageing. Early recognition can help individuals and families better understand what is happening and seek the right support at the right time.
As part of this initiative, Annantaa brings its focus on mental and emotional well-being to the conversation around dementia, highlighting the importance of early recognition and understanding. Ms. Madhuri Sarda, Counselling Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist; Founder, Annantaa, and Vidhi Bansal, Co-Founder and Psychotherapist, Annantaa, focus on encouraging people to take cognitive and behavioural changes seriously and seek timely professional support.
Memory loss is one of the most recognised signs of dementia, but the condition involves more than simply forgetting things. Early warning signs can include repeatedly asking the same questions, forgetting recent information, struggling to find familiar words, losing track of dates or appointments, difficulty with familiar tasks, confusion in familiar surroundings, problems with planning or decision-making, changes in judgement, behaviour or personality, and withdrawing from usual activities. An occasional lapse is not necessarily a cause for concern; it becomes more important to seek professional advice when these changes are persistent, progressively worsen or begin to interfere with everyday life, work, responsibilities, communication or social interactions.
Dementia is an umbrella term for conditions that affect memory, thinking, behaviour and everyday functioning. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause, followed by forms such as vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 57 million people globally were living with dementia in 2021, with the condition becoming more common with age, particularly after 65, although age alone does not determine whether someone develops dementia. As populations age, the number is expected to rise further, making early recognition increasingly important as dementia can affect independence, communication and daily life while also placing emotional, social and financial pressure on families and caregivers. In India, a nationwide study based on the Longitudinal Aging Study in India estimates that 7.4% of people aged 60 and above live with dementia, equivalent to around 8.8 million people, with prevalence varying across age, education, sex, urban-rural residence and states.
The figures for West Bengal further highlight the need to look beyond national averages. The same national analysis estimates dementia prevalence among people aged 60 and above at 9.23% in West Bengal, higher than the 7.43% national estimate in its state-level analysis. This figure refers to dementia overall, not specifically Alzheimer’s disease. In Kolkata, earlier population-based studies have reported lower prevalence figures, including 0.79% among people aged 60 and above and 1.3% among those aged 50 and above. However, these studies were conducted at different times and used different populations and diagnostic approaches, so they cannot be directly compared with the newer national and state-level estimates.
While advancing age remains the strongest known risk factor, dementia can also affect people below 65, commonly referred to as young-onset or early-onset dementia. In younger adults, the condition may be harder to recognise as early signs can include changes in personality, behaviour, language, concentration, planning or decision-making rather than noticeable memory loss, and may be mistaken for stress, burnout or other psychological concerns. The causes can vary, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular disease, certain neurological or genetic conditions, and health conditions such as diabetes, stroke and heart disease that can increase the risk of vascular dementia.
Speaking on the importance of early diagnosis, Ms. Madhuri Sarda, Counselling Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist; Founder, Annantaa, says, “A diagnosis does not define a person; it gives a family clarity about what they are facing. When cognitive or behavioural changes are noticed early and evaluated appropriately, families have greater opportunity to understand the condition, make informed decisions and prepare emotionally and practically for what lies ahead. We need to move away from dismissing persistent cognitive changes as simply ‘old age’ and create an environment where seeking help becomes a normal and informed step.”
This year’s campaign places diagnosis at the centre of the conversation because knowing what is happening gives individuals and families an opportunity to act. A timely assessment can help rule out other potentially treatable causes of cognitive changes and provide a clearer understanding of the condition. Early diagnosis also gives individuals more time to take part in decisions about their future, plan care and finances, make necessary lifestyle and safety changes, explore available treatments and support, and prepare their families and caregivers. While Alzheimer’s disease remains a progressive condition with no cure, early diagnosis can help with managing symptoms, maintaining quality of life and accessing appropriate care and support. Research also shows that Alzheimer’s-related brain changes can begin years before noticeable symptoms appear, making awareness and timely assessment all the more important.
The need for awareness is greater than ever, as stigma and the belief that cognitive decline is simply a part of ageing can often prevent people from seeking help. Dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing, and persistent changes in memory, language, behaviour or everyday functioning—at any age—deserve to be taken seriously. On World Alzheimer’s Day, Annantaa encourages individuals and families to recognise these changes, seek the right evaluation and approach dementia with greater understanding and empathy. Because the earlier you know, the more you can do.
About Annantaa:
Annantaa is a mental health and wellness organisation dedicated to promoting psychological well-being through awareness programmes, counselling services, therapeutic interventions, and community engagement initiatives. Through its diverse programmes and outreach activities, Annantaa continues to create spaces that encourage understanding, emotional resilience, and holistic mental wellness.
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