To commemorate World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21st, Lalitha Group of Hospitals recently hosted a vital awareness program, dedicated to shedding light on the critical issue of dementia.
Led by Dr. Vijaya, the esteemed Head of Neurology, the event brought together leading experts from both neurology and psychiatry. Dr. Vijaya delivered a sobering address, underscoring the escalating challenge of dementia across India. She revealed a startling statistic: approximately 7.4% of individuals over 60 – equating to nearly 8.8 million people – are currently living with this condition. Furthermore, she issued a stark warning that these figures are projected to double by 2030 and potentially triple by 2050. On a global scale, the urgency is even more pronounced, with a new dementia diagnosis occurring every three seconds.
During the program, a panel of senior neurologists and psychiatrists provided comprehensive insights into the symptoms, various risk factors, available treatments, and the significant psychological challenges associated with dementia. A key takeaway from the experts was the strong emphasis on prevention, advocating for healthy lifestyle choices. These include regular physical exercise, a balanced diet, engaging in mentally stimulating activities, maintaining active social connections, and effective stress management techniques. The session saw an enthusiastic turnout of over 150 patients and community members, who actively participated in discussions and interacted with the medical professionals.