The existing cultural context (practices and beliefs) has a major role in shaping attitudes and behaviours towards dementia in India (Kumar, et al., 2019). Low levels of awareness or stigma amongst the family, community and health professionals can considerably influence perceptions of dementia (Kumar etl., 2019; Shaji et al., 2003) and help-seeking in the country (Nulkar et al., 2019; ARDSI, 2010).

References:

Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India. (2010). THE DEMENTIA INDIA REPORT 2010: Prevalence, impact, cost and services for dementia. New Dehli. Available from: https://www.mhinnovation.net/sites/default/files/downloads/innovation/reports/Dementia-India-Report.pdf

Kumar, C. S., George, S., & Kallivayalil, R. A. (2019). Towards a Dementia-Friendly India. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 41(5), 476–481. https://doi.org/10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_25_19

Nulkar A, Paralikar V, Juvekar S. Dementia in India – a call for action. Journal of Global Health Reports. 2019;3:e2019078. doi:10.29392/joghr.3.e2019078

Shaji, K. S., Smitha, K., Lal, K. P., Prince, M. J. (2003). Caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease: a qualitative study from the Indian 10/66 Dementia Research Network. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(1), 1–6.