This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Dementia Care in India: Challenges, Awareness, and the Future of Elderly Care
India is undergoing a significant demographic shift. As per the 2001 Census, over 76 million people in India were aged 60 and above, representing 7.4% of the population. This number is expected to dramatically increase in the coming decades, with some regions like Kerala already reporting over 10.5% of their population as senior citizens. As the elderly population grows, so does the need to understand and address dementia care in India.
The Growing Concern of Dementia Care in India
Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, is a neurological disorder that affects memory, cognitive function, and daily life. While awareness of dementia care in India has improved over the years, it remains a largely hidden and misunderstood issue, particularly in areas affected by poverty and illiteracy.
Current research estimates that over 1.5 million people in India live with dementia, a number projected to triple in the next four decades. Surprisingly, India shows lower dementia prevalence rates (1.4% to 4.4%) compared to high-income countries, though this may be impacted by underreporting and limited diagnosis.
Why Dementia Care in India Remains Underdiagnosed
Many in India still confuse normal ageing with dementia-related symptoms, delaying diagnosis and treatment. This lack of understanding results in:
Missed opportunities for early intervention
Increased emotional and financial strain on families
Limited or no access to long-term dementia care in India
Even when dementia is diagnosed, support systems for caregivers are minimal, and very few families receive guidance or professional help.
Caregiving Burden and Cultural Context in India
In India, caregiving remains a home-based, family-driven responsibility. Most elders with dementia are cared for by their families, especially women, who shoulder the bulk of caregiving duties. However, this can result in:
Mental health issues for the caregiver
Economic stress
Social isolation
Institutional care for the elderly, especially for dementia, is still considered culturally unacceptable or financially inaccessible. Government schemes and disability pensions often go unutilized due to lack of awareness.
Efforts Towards Better Dementia Care in India
Despite the challenges, there have been encouraging developments:
The Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) continues to raise awareness.
Memory clinics and dementia clinics are gaining popularity in urban regions.
The government has launched Project NICE (National Initiative on Care for the Elderly) to build geriatric care capacity.
Training courses in integrated geriatric care are being offered across medical institutions.
Community-based interventions like those trialed in Goa, where non-medical local volunteers were trained in dementia care, show promising, scalable solutions.
The Role of Driyati Services in India’s Dementia Care Landscape
At Driyati Services, we recognize that dementia care in India needs to be personalized, accessible, and rooted in dignity. We aim to support families who are navigating the often-confusing path of elderly care by offering:
Trained caregivers experienced in dementia-related behavior
Emotional support and structured routines for seniors
Regular updates through our upcoming mobile app
Assistance with navigating care plans and medical appointments
We understand that dementia not only affects memory it touches families emotionally, financially, and socially. Driyati Services is here to bridge that gap in dementia care in India.
Our Thoughts
India’s aging population is growing rapidly, and with it, the need for awareness, diagnosis, and dignified dementia care in India. While initiatives like ARDSI and Project NICE are commendable, there remains a significant gap in daily, home-based dementia care. Families need not just medical answers, but emotional and practical support.
Driyati Services is committed to being that trusted partner in your journey empowering families and respecting every senior’s right to a life of comfort and care.
Contact Us
Fun Fact:Did you know that in India, nearly 90% of people with dementia are cared for at home by family members — often without formal training or external support? That makes India one of the countries with the highest proportion of informal elder care in the world.
At Driyati, we understand that caring for a loved one with dementia is a journey filled with both love and challenges. Our trained caregivers offer professional, compassionate support right at home — helping families in India provide dignified, structured, and stress-free care for their aging parents or grandparents. Let’s make elder care easier, together.