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SWASTH NARI, SASHAKT PARIVAR Women, Memory and the Fight Against Alzheimer’s…

MIND & BODY, HEART & SOUL September 20, 2025 , by

Dr Amit Dias

September is observed worldwide as World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month — a moment to break the silence, spread knowledge, and inspire action. This year, the message carries special significance for India with the launch of the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar initiative by our Prime Minister on his birthday on September 17…
As part of this initiative, the Urban Health & Training Center will host the Smruti Swasthya Shivir (Memory Health Camps), with two dedicated screening camps at St Cruz on September 24 October 1, 2025. These camps are an opportunity to detect memory problems early, empower women, and strengthen families.
This article, provides a fresh perspective on dementia and women — their risks, their resilience, and the unique caregiving challenges they face. One message remains constant: Caregivers must care for themselves first — only then can they keep their families truly strong. Women often ignore themselves in the process of looking after others.
Dementia is not just a disease of memory; it is a condition that deeply impacts families, and women are at the heart of this story — as those more frequently affected by dementia, and as the primary caregivers. This article aims to help women, their families, and communities recognize the early signs, understand the unique challenges faced by women, and learn practical ways to respond with strength, compassion, and preparedness. Together, let us move towards awareness, dignity, and empowerment.

History: The First Case & What It Taught Us
The first person ever clinically described by Alois Alzheimer was a woman named Auguste Deter. She was admitted in 1901 to a psychiatric hospital in Frankfurt, at about age 50–51, showing progressive memory loss, disorientation, hallucinations, behavior change. After her death in 1906, Alzheimer examined her brain and found the hallmarks: amyloid‐β (plaques) and neurofibrillary tangles, and thinning of the cerebral cortex. These features are central in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease as defined today.

Prevalence: Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease, and Women
Global Perspective
• Worldwide, about 55 million people live with dementia, with close to 10 million new cases every year.
• Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Women make up a disproportionate share of those affected. In the U.S., for example, nearly two-thirds of people with Alzheimer’s are women.
• The recent LASI-DAD (Longitudinal Aging Study in India – Diagnostic Assessment of Dementia) gives national and state estimates: dementia prevalence among older adults (60+) is about 7.4% in India.
• In these estimates, women have higher prevalence than men in many Indian states; the age‐standardised prevalence is around 6.3% for men versus 9.6% for women in some reports.
• Do Women Experience Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease Differently?
Yes, multiple lines of evidence suggest differences in risk, presentation, care burden, and outcomes for women:
Risk & lifetime exposure: Women tend to live longer on average, and since age is the strongest risk factor for Alzheimer’s, more women reach ages at higher risk. But beyond longevity, there are possible biological and genetic differences: for example, the allele APOE-ε4, which increases Alzheimer’s risk, seems to confer greater risk in women than men in some studies. Hormonal changes (menopause), differences in brain structure, differences in vascular risk, and variation in lifestyle/environment may all contribute.
Symptom progression & severity: There is some evidence that women may decline more rapidly in certain cognitive domains once Alzheimer’s begins; may have more severe behavioural or psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) at certain stages. However, studies vary and more research is needed.
Diagnosis delays: Because of social, educational, and gender role differences, women may be less likely to be diagnosed early or to have their symptoms recognized. In some cultures, memory loss is dismissed as “normal aging” or “just old age”, particularly in women.

Caregiving and the Gendered Burden
An important and often overlooked side of dementia is the burden borne by caregivers. In Goa, India, in studies carried out (including some that I was involved with) and more broadly, patterns emerge:
Over 80% of caregivers in many dementia caregiver studies are women: wives, daughters, daughters-in-law, etc. In studies in Goa, women caregivers often juggle multiple roles: caring for the person with dementia, caring for grandchildren or younger children, household tasks, sometimes paid work, sometimes other elder care, etc. These multiple demands lead to high levels of physical, emotional, financial stress and risk of burnout.
Special challenges when women themselves have dementia
Women often outlive their husbands; they may have less economic independence; less access to formal care; may rely on family members who may be busy or distant. This means that a woman with dementia may be more likely to be socially isolated, have fewer caregivers, or have more fragmented support.
Also, cultural norms may mean less priority given to care of older women, or less willingness to institutionalize, but also less formal support.

Caregiver Burnout: What Does the Research Show?
The burden (emotional, physical, social) for caregivers is high: in Alzheimer’s caregiver studies, many report sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety, social isolation, even neglect of the caregiver’s own health. For example, in a large AD caregiver study, over 50% reported extreme stress; many had deteriorated physical health.
Female caregivers especially are at risk of burnout, particularly when also employed outside home or managing other family responsibilities. The intensity of care (hours per day, days per week), cohabiting with the person with dementia, the severity of behavioral symptoms (agitation, irritability, disinhibition etc.), are all predictors of higher caregiver burden.

Early Signs of Dementia
Early recognition means earlier support. If you know anyone with these signs bring them to the Smruthi Swasthya Shivir or Memory Health Camp to be held at the UHTC St Cruz on October 1, 2025.

  1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
  2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks at home, work, or leisure.
  3. Problems with language – trouble finding words, following, or joining conversations.
  4. Disorientation in time and place – getting lost, losing track of dates, seasons, or places.
  5. Poor or decreased judgment in daily decisions.
  6. Difficulty keeping track of things – trouble planning, organizing, or following steps.
  7. Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them.
  8. Changes in mood and behaviour – irritability, depression, anxiety, or apathy.
  9. Difficulty with visual and spatial abilities – judging distances, reading, or recognizing objects.

What Caregivers Should Know: Tips & Best Practices
From research and experience, the following tips have been found helpful. These may relieve burden and improve quality of care for both the person with dementia and their caregiver.
What NOT to do What TO do instead
Don’t argue or try to reason with memory gaps or delusions (they often don’t remember or cannot grasp logic) Agree and re-direct: validate feelings, reassure, change topic gently to something pleasant.
Don’t repeatedly correct them or shame them for things they forgot Use gentle reminders, routine cues; keep environment safe; use memory aids (e.g. calendars, photos).
Don’t isolate or withdraw socially Encourage socialization, simple meaningful activity; maintain routines.
Don’t overload with complex tasks or rapid changes Simplify tasks, break them into steps; ensure consistency; allow extra time.
Don’t neglect your own health: skipping meals, rest, medical appointments Take breaks, seek respite, get help from family/friends; maintain your physical, mental, emotional self-care.
Don’t ignore safety issues (falls, wandering, medication misuse) Adapt environment: remove hazards, label things, ensure supervision when needed; medication review.
Don’t assume professional help is not needed Seek professional advice, use available services; learn about dementia; join caregiver support groups.
More valuable tips for caregiving:
• Build a routine: regular patterns help reduce confusion and anxiety.
• Simplify environment: reduce clutter, noise, distractions.
• Use non-verbal communication: tone, body language, touch.
• Use reminders: visual, written.
• Ensure person with dementia is treated with respect and dignity.
• Plan ahead: legal, financial planning; discuss wishes while still able.

Conclusion
Dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, is a growing public health challenge. Women are more likely to be patients, more likely to be caregivers, and often face a double burden. But with awareness, early detection, supportive caregiving, and community interventions, much can be done to reduce suffering and improve quality of life. The Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar program and the Smruti Swasthya Shivir can play a strong role in empowering women in this regard.
The Urban Health and Training Center, at Santa Cruz, launched the “Smrithi Swasthya Shivir” as part of the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar initiative.

About the Author
Dr. Amit Dias is an Assistant Professor at the department of Preventive and Social Medicine at the GMC. He has worked on dementia, caregiving, and community health programmes in Goa for the last 25 years. He is committed to translating research into action – screening, home support, caregiver education – especially in the underserved urban and rural communities. He is also part of the Lancet Commission for prevention of dementia.

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