
12/04/2025
Dementia is a complex condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is not a single disease, but a term used to describe a range of symptoms associated with different diseases, one of which is Alzheimer's Disease in which there is a decline in cognitive functions mainly memory, and changes in behavior and personality which are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Some of the symptoms of dementia include memory loss, being unaware of where the person is or who around him are (disorientation), personality changes, agitation and restlessness, hallucinations or delusions, difficulty with coordination and balance, issues with communication and others. These symptoms may show up in not only in Alzheimer's disease but also other diseases such as vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease dementia, Huntington's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease among many other conditions which are broadly clumped under the term "dementia". This article focuses on dementia in Nepal exploring it's meaning, types, causes, and preventive measures. Dementia in Nepal becomes more imperative on the backdrop of World Health Organization (WHO) urgent call for Alzheimer's and dementia in Nepal and other Low-and-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) in South-East Asia on the Alzheimer's Day. "Time to Act on Dementia, Time to Act on Alzheimer's" was the theme and highlighted in the importance of early detection, and intervention, challenges in diagnosis and care, and the need for a national strategy. According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, an organization representing Alzheimer associations worldwide, approximately 78,000 people in Nepal are currently living with dementia. This number is predicted to grow significantly, reaching 134,000 by the year 20301. It is estimated that over 50% of population over age of 60 years have some form of memory-related problems2.
The word "Dementia" is derived from Latin term "demens or dement" meaning "out of one's mind".
Dementia is a complex condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is not a single disease, but a term used to describe a range of symptoms associated with different diseases, one of which is Alzheimer's Disease in which there is a decline in cognitive functions mainly memory, and changes...