Let's Talk About Alzheimer's: Understanding Memory Loss, Change, and Compassionate Care

It often begins quietly. A repeated question. A missed appointment. A familiar name that refuses to come when called. Many families dismiss these moments as "normal ageing," unsure of when forgetfulness becomes something more.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, but it is not simply memory loss. It is a progressive neurological condition that affects how a person remembers, thinks, communicates and eventually manages everyday life. While ageing increases risk, Alzheimer's is not a normal part of growing older.

Understanding the Disease

In Alzheimer's disease, changes in the brain gradually disrupt the communication between nerve cells. Over time, this affects memory, orientation, language, judgement and behaviour (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). Early on, individuals may appear largely independent, with subtle difficulties in short-term memory or planning. As the disease progresses, even familiar tasks, people and places can become confusing or frightening.

What makes Alzheimer's particularly difficult is not only the cognitive decline, but the emotional impact it carries. Many people with Alzheimer's experience anxiety, frustration, sadness or withdrawal as they become aware of their changing abilities. Families, too, grieve in complex ways — mourning the gradual loss of shared memories while still caring for the person in front of them (Alzheimer's Association, 2024).

What Helps

Research shows that consistent routines, emotional reassurance and familiar environments significantly reduce distress in people living with Alzheimer's (Livingston et al., 2020). Sudden changes, overstimulation or repeated corrections can increase agitation. What often helps most is not constant reminding, but calm presence, patience and respect for the person's emotional experience.

Medical treatment can slow symptom progression for some individuals, but there is currently no cure. This makes supportive care essential. Maintaining physical health, nutrition, sleep and gentle activity supports overall wellbeing, while social interaction helps preserve remaining cognitive and emotional capacities (WHO, 2023). Importantly, people living with Alzheimer's continue to experience joy, connection and meaning — even when memory fades.

Safety and Dignity

As the disease advances, safety and supervision become increasingly important. Difficulties with medication management, mobility, judgement and orientation can put elders at risk if they are unsupported. Care at this stage must balance protection with dignity, ensuring the individual is not reduced to their diagnosis.

This is where specialised eldercare plays a critical role. Organisations like Elderworld can provide structured routines, trained companionship, cognitive stimulation, emotional support and caregiver guidance. When care is consistent and relationship-based, elders with Alzheimer's often show reduced distress and better quality of life compared to those facing the illness alone or in chaotic environments (Livingston et al., 2020).

Preserving Personhood

Alzheimer's asks families and societies to rethink what care means. It is not only about memory — it is about preserving personhood. The goal is not to "fix" forgetting, but to support comfort, familiarity, connection and respect throughout the journey.

As India's population ages, Alzheimer's will touch more families than ever before. Talking about it openly, without fear or stigma, is the first step toward compassionate care. With the right support systems, people living with Alzheimer's can continue to feel safe, valued and emotionally held — even as memory changes.

Because even when memories fade, dignity should not.

References

• Alzheimer's Association. (2024). What is Alzheimer's disease?
• Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Sommerlad, A., Ames, D., Ballard, C., Banerjee, S., et al. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet, 396(10248), 413–446.
• World Health Organization. (2023). Dementia fact sheet.