Srinagar, September 21 – On World Alzheimer’s Day, health specialists are drawing attention to the alarming rise of dementia across Jammu and Kashmir, where the prevalence of memory-related illness is among the highest in South Asia.
Dementia is not a single illness but a collective term for conditions marked by a decline in memory, reasoning, and cognitive abilities, often interfering with daily life. Although more common in older adults, doctors emphasize that dementia is not a natural part of aging. Alzheimer’s disease remains the most common type, followed by vascular dementia and others.
Recent health data shows that nearly 11.04% of people in Jammu and Kashmir are struggling with dementia-related symptoms — a rate significantly higher than the national average. Projections suggest the figure could rise to almost 15% of the population by 2036 if preventive steps are not taken.
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According to experts, dementia affects people at different ages, with prevalence rising sharply after 70. Statistics reveal that almost one in four people above 84 years of age in the region are affected.
Professor Junaid Nabi from the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Srinagar, described dementia as a serious neuropsychiatric condition. “It affects memory, cognition, and the ability to carry out normal routines. Early detection can help manage the disease, but once it progresses, control becomes extremely difficult,” he said.
Health professionals caution that as the disease worsens, patients may lose the ability to recognize even close relatives. With the population of elderly people increasing in Jammu and Kashmir, medical experts are urging more awareness, early diagnosis, and specialized healthcare facilities to manage the challenge.
