Memory in Old Age: Current Scenario in India

Abstract

One of the common concerns of older people is the complaint that their memory was not as good as it was. Empirical studies on memory have highlighted that memory losses are not uncommon in any age. According to statistics, 70% of older adults report that they have memory problems, but objective tests are needed to determine if they have mild cognitive impairment, which is also known as benign senescent forgetfulness (AAMD) and early dementia. Mild cognitive impairment is basically a transitional stage between normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies show that 17% to 34% of elderly people have mild cognitive impairment. One of the significant areas of contemporary gerontological researches is planning of systematic interventions in improving memory. This article focuses on the research carried out on memory and old age in India and discusses the need for further research.