Written By: N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe | Updated : July 28, 2025 2:16 PM IST
Dementia is a broader term for several illnesses that affect memory, thinking and the ability to perform daily simple tasks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 57 million people were affected by dementia as of 2021.
About 10 million people are affected by dementia every year, and Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) projects cases up to 139 million by 2050. ADI also outlines that 60% of people with dementia live in low and middle-income countries, but by 2050, this will rise to 71%.
Research says that dementia cases rise every 3 seconds somewhere in the world.
And as per the latest study, what's more alarming is that the signs and symptoms of dementia are often overlooked, and it takes years to diagnose after the first symptoms appear.
The findings, conducted by the University College London (UCL), which are now published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (IJGP), reveal that it takes an average of 3.5 years to diagnose dementia after the initial symptoms appear. And people with early-onset dementia could even take 4.1 years to get diagnosed.
There are over 100 types of dementia, but the most well-known form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. However, ADI outlines that Alzheimer's disease and Vascular Dementia are responsible for up to 90% of cases of dementia. Other forms of dementia include Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia and Mixed Dementia.
"Changes in mood and behaviour sometimes happen even before memory problems occur," the WHO states. "Symptoms get worse over time. Eventually, most people with dementia will need others to help with daily activities."
Early signs and symptoms of dementia:
Common changes in mood and behaviour include:
Memory loss can affect people of all ages, but it mainly affects older people. Here are some reasons which could increase the risk of developing dementia:
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