Studies estimate that current treatment cost of those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is around Rs.159 billion and it is likely to double up to Rs.327 billion by 2030. According to
Dr. Jacob Roy Kuriakose, National Chairman of ARDSI said, “In our country, the awareness about dementia is very low. The situation is distressing for about 3.7 million Indians, aged over 60 and comprising of 2.1 million women and 1.5 million men, suffer from Alzheimer’s and associated dementia.”

• 3.7 million Indians suffer from this disease, number expected to double by 2030 
• The treatment cost expected to double from Rs.159 billion to up to Rs.327 billion by 2030
• Both government and NGOs should come forward to bridge the huge treatment gap

There exists a huge ‘treatment gap in our country as 90% of Alzheimer’s and Dementia cases remain unidentified. Even in cases where the diagnosis is made, the carers and family members are often suffering in silence not knowing where to get help. As part of the ongoing observance of National Dementia Awareness Week from 18th to 24th September 2011, Dr. Jacob stresses on the need to focus on developing strategies and formulating policies that meet the requirements and mitigate the problems of persons with dementia and their families. To diminish the ignorance and bias, prevalent in our society, against the sufferers of Alzheimer’s and dementia it is important that an action plan be formulated.

Both Central and State governments in the country should accost the onset of this disease in the form of National Strategy invariably involving raising awareness, training a workforce for care giving and strengthening the Health systems. To bridge up the glaring service gap between the care received and care needed, ARDSI advocates the following initiatives:

Promotion of nation-wide awareness, knowledge and understanding of the disease
Recognition and strengthening the key roles of families and care givers
Develop comprehensive dementia care models
Develop policies and legislation for people with Dementia-PwD
Government to include dementia care in the next five year plan
Creation of facilities for early detection, prioritization of access to health and social care to the affected patients and their family members
Development of community support

Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) is a secular, non-profit voluntary organization dedicated to the care, support, training and research of dementia since 1992. ARDSI has been in the forefront to disseminate knowledge about dementia to the public through various forums and is actively involved in developing services such as respite care, day care, home care, setting up memory clinics, conduct training programmes for the family members, doctors, nurses and social workers and promote research throughout the country by the national office and the 14 chapters spread across India.