By The Hindu Bureau

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Lalitha Group of Hospitals organised an awareness programme on Saturday to mark World Alzheimer’s Day, observed globally on September 21, to raise awareness about dementia.

The event, held under the leadership of Dr. Vijaya, head of Neurology, brought together faculty from neurology and psychiatry departments. Dr. Vijaya highlighted the growing burden of dementia in India, noting that 7.4 per cent of people over 60 — nearly 88 lakh individuals — were affected. She cautioned that the numbers were expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050. Globally, a new case is diagnosed every three seconds, she added.

Senior neurologists and psychiatrists spoke on symptoms, risk factors, treatments, and psychological challenges. The panel stressed prevention through healthy lifestyle practices such as exercise, diet, mental activity, social engagement, and stress management. Over 150 patients and members of the public attended and actively interacted with the experts.