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DEMENTIA SCREENING PROGRAM IN GOA! By Dr Amit Dias
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DEMENTIA SCREENING PROGRAM IN GOA! By Dr Amit Dias

Feb 28-Mar 06, 2026, MIND & BODY, HEART & SOUL February 27, 2026 , by

Screening camps to be conducted by the Department of Social Welfare, government of Goa…

DEMENTIA is emerging as one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time. With increasing life expectancy, Goa — like the rest of India — is witnessing a steady rise in the number of older adults at risk of memory disorders. Recognising the urgent need for early detection and timely support, the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Goa, has launched a Dementia Screening Program aimed at identifying memory problems early and guiding families toward appropriate care.
 This initiative reflects a growing understanding that dementia is not simply “normal ageing.” It is a medical condition that can be identified, evaluated, and in many cases, managed more effectively when detected early.

Why Screening Matters
 INDIA is estimated to have over five million people living with dementia, yet a large proportion, almost 90% remain undiagnosed. The diagnostic gap is particularly significant because families often attribute early symptoms to ageing, stress, or personality changes. By the time medical help is sought, the condition may have progressed considerably.

Early screening offers several benefits:
 • Identification of reversible causes of memory impairment (such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disorders, depression, medication side effects).
• Early treatment and lifestyle modification.
• Better planning for safety, finances, and caregiving needs.
• Psychological reassurance when no significant impairment is detected.
• Education for families on prevention and risk reduction.
Screening does not provide an immediate diagnosis. It is a first step that helps identify individuals who may need further evaluation.

Who Should Attend the Dementia Screening Camps?
 The screening camps are open to the following groups:

  1. Adults Above 60 Years Experiencing Symptoms
     Any individual aged 60 years and above who experiences memory-related concerns should consider attending. Early signs may include:
    • Repeatedly asking the same questions.
    • Forgetting recent conversations or events.
    • Difficulty managing finances or medications.
    • Getting confused about dates or familiar routes.
    • Struggling to find common words during conversation.
    Occasional forgetfulness is common with ageing, but persistent or progressive symptoms deserve attention.
  2. Individuals Identified by Caregivers or Family Members
     Often, family members notice changes before the individual does. If a caregiver observes that their loved one:
    • Is misplacing objects in unusual places.
    • Is becoming withdrawn from social activities.
    • Shows sudden changes in mood, personality, or judgment.
    • Is having difficulty performing familiar tasks.
    It is advisable to attend the camp for screening and guidance.
  3. Individuals Identified by Healthcare Workers
     Community health workers, nurses, and primary care physicians frequently encounter elderly individuals with subtle memory complaints during routine visits. Those identified by healthcare professionals as possibly having memory impairment are encouraged to attend for structured screening.
  4. Individuals Seeking Information and Prevention Guidance
     The camps are not only for those with symptoms. Individuals who wish to:
    • Learn about dementia risk factors.
    • Understand how to prevent or delay memory decline.
    • Receive guidance on maintaining brain health.
    are welcome to participate.
    Prevention strategies are strongly supported by international scientific evidence, including recommendations from the Lancet Commission, which highlights that nearly 45% of dementia cases may be preventable or delayed through addressing modifiable risk factors.

What Happens at the Screening Camps?
 The camps will be conducted by trained personnel using validated screening tools. The process typically includes:
• A brief cognitive assessment
• Questions regarding daily functioning and recent changes.
• Input from a family member or caregiver, when available.
• Evaluation of non-communicable diseases including blood pressure and blood sugar
• Counselling and educational material on brain health and risk reduction.
The procedure is simple, respectful, and non-invasive. It usually takes a short amount of time.
Individuals who screen positive for possible memory impairment will be referred to appropriate centres for further workup and management. This may include evaluation by specialists in neurology, psychiatry, or geriatric medicine, along with laboratory tests and imaging where required.
A positive screening result does not mean a confirmed diagnosis of dementia. It indicates the need for further assessment.

Early Warning Signs of Dementia
D – Decline in Memory
 Memory loss that disrupts daily life, especially forgetting recent events, appointments, or repeatedly asking the same questions. This is more than normal age-related forgetfulness.

E – Emotional Changes
 Noticeable changes in mood or personality such as irritability, anxiety, depression, apathy, or suspiciousness. A calm person may become easily upset, or a sociable person may withdraw.

M – Misplacing Things
 Frequently placing items in unusual locations and being unable to retrace steps to find them. Over time, the person may even accuse others of stealing.

E – Everyday Activities Affected
 Difficulty performing familiar tasks at home, work, or in the community — such as managing finances, cooking routine meals, handling medications, or travelling to known places.
N – Naming Problems
New problems with speaking or writing, including difficulty finding the right words, calling objects by the wrong name, or stopping mid-conversation and not knowing how to continue.

T – Time and Place Disorientation
 Confusion about dates, seasons, or the passage of time. The person may forget where they are or how they got there.

I – Impaired Judgment
 Poor decision-making, reduced ability to plan or solve problems, financial misjudgments, neglect of personal hygiene, or falling prey to scams.

A – Apathy and Withdrawal
 Loss of interest in hobbies, social activities, religious gatherings, or family functions. The person may avoid conversations because they find them difficult to follow.

Prevention: What Can Be Done?
 Scientific evidence increasingly shows that dementia risk can be reduced. The latest update from the Lancet Commission has identified modifiable risk factors across the life course. These include:
• Limited early-life education
• Hearing loss
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Excess alcohol use
• Depression
• Physical inactivity
• Social isolation
• Traumatic brain injury
• Air pollution
• Untreated vision loss
• High LDL cholesterol
Addressing these risk factors through healthy lifestyle choices, cardiovascular risk control, sensory care (hearing and vision correction), social engagement, and mental stimulation can substantially reduce the likelihood of developing dementia.
Public health agencies globally, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have endorsed this life-course approach to brain health.
For Goa, integrating dementia prevention into existing non-communicable disease programmes, elderly welfare schemes, and community outreach services is an important step forward.

A Collective Responsibility
 DEMENTIA affects not only the individual but also families, caregivers, and communities. Early screening empowers families with knowledge, provides clarity, and opens pathways for medical and social support.
The Department of Social Welfare’s initiative signals a strong commitment to elderly well-being in Goa. By identifying individuals early, referring them appropriately, and promoting prevention strategies, the programme aims to reduce suffering and improve quality of life.
Community participation is crucial. Families are encouraged not to dismiss persistent memory concerns as “just old age.” Seeking screening is a proactive and responsible step.
Conclusion
THE Dementia Screening Programme in Goa represents an important milestone in strengthening elderly care services. It combines awareness, early detection, referral, and prevention into a comprehensive public health response.
If you or a loved one is above 60 years of age and experiencing memory concerns — or if you simply wish to learn more about maintaining brain health — attending a screening camp could make a meaningful difference.
Early action can lead to better outcomes, informed planning, and improved quality of life.

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