<p>Bengaluru: Dementia India Alliance (DIA), in collaboration with Athulya Senior Care, conducted a community-based dementia screening across apartment complexes in the city targeting urban, affluent populations.</p>.<p>A total of 716 elderly adults were screened, highlighting emerging cognitive health trends in upper socio-economic groups.</p>.<p>Of the 591 people aged 60 and above, 12.2% were found to have cognitive impairment, corresponding to a Hindi Mental State Examination (HMSE) score of less than or equal to 23. In addition, 29.2% of men and 25% of women had at least one vascular comorbidity, while 30.6% of men and 26.4% of women reported hearing or vision impairments.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Findings point to the urgent need to address risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and sensory loss — conditions commonly observed among participants. Notably, 56.9% of family members failed to recognise early signs of cognitive decline, reinforcing how stigma and lack of awareness delay timely screening, even in educated households.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A further 72 participants scored between 24 and 26 on the HMSE, placing them in a vulnerable category. Of these, 59.7% were male. They will be followed up with individual and family education to encourage further assessment. Among 79 individuals aged 50 to 59 years, 11.4% had cognitive impairment, 66.7% of whom had at least one vascular or sensory comorbidity, indicating early onset trends.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Identified individuals and those in the vulnerable group will receive further assessment and personalised counselling. “This data reinforces what we see in the field-awareness is still low. We need multi-layered approaches for early assessment and support,” said Dr Radha S Murthy, president of DIA.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Dementia India Alliance (DIA), in collaboration with Athulya Senior Care, conducted a community-based dementia screening across apartment complexes in the city targeting urban, affluent populations.</p>.<p>A total of 716 elderly adults were screened, highlighting emerging cognitive health trends in upper socio-economic groups.</p>.<p>Of the 591 people aged 60 and above, 12.2% were found to have cognitive impairment, corresponding to a Hindi Mental State Examination (HMSE) score of less than or equal to 23. In addition, 29.2% of men and 25% of women had at least one vascular comorbidity, while 30.6% of men and 26.4% of women reported hearing or vision impairments.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Findings point to the urgent need to address risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and sensory loss — conditions commonly observed among participants. Notably, 56.9% of family members failed to recognise early signs of cognitive decline, reinforcing how stigma and lack of awareness delay timely screening, even in educated households.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A further 72 participants scored between 24 and 26 on the HMSE, placing them in a vulnerable category. Of these, 59.7% were male. They will be followed up with individual and family education to encourage further assessment. Among 79 individuals aged 50 to 59 years, 11.4% had cognitive impairment, 66.7% of whom had at least one vascular or sensory comorbidity, indicating early onset trends.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Identified individuals and those in the vulnerable group will receive further assessment and personalised counselling. “This data reinforces what we see in the field-awareness is still low. We need multi-layered approaches for early assessment and support,” said Dr Radha S Murthy, president of DIA.</p>
