DEMCON 2025: India’s Premier Dementia Conference to Open in Visakhapatnam on 5–6 December

Dementia India Alliance (DIA) a national NGO working for the cause of dementia, in collaboration with GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (GIMSER), Senha Sandhya Age Care Foundation , NIMHANS, Centre for Brain Research and Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) with the Government Mental Health Institute, Visakhapatnam will hold DEMCON 2025, a national conference focused on strengthening India’s dementia ecosystem through awareness, research, policy, and implementation-driven action.

The two-day conference will take place on December 5 and 6 at GITAM Medical College here, Around 800 delegates including clinicians, researchers, policymakers, students, hospitals, old age homes, caregivers, and elder-care organisations from across India are expecred to attend.

The conference assumes significance as dementia has emerged as a public health emergency, with more than 88 lakh elderly Indians currently affected. Its disturbing impact—ranging from memory loss and behavioural changes to long-term dependency—deeply affects individuals, families, and society at large. Due to widespread ignorance and stigma, almost 90% of people never receive a diagnosis.

According to the LASI-DAD 2023 study, Andhra Pradesh has a dementia prevalence of 7.7%, higher than the national average. By 2036, nearly 8 lakh people in the state are projected to be living with dementia. This rising burden underscores the urgent need for early diagnosis, a trained dementia workforce, community-based support, and the strengthening of district mental health systems. DEMCON 2025 aims to accelerate these efforts and support the emerging state-level dementia action plan.

Inaugural Session

DEMCON 2025 is focusing on early detection pathways, community-centred dementia care, caregiver wellbeing, cohort studies, policy implementation, skill and livelihood development, and interdisciplinary clinical tracks. Family caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, students pursuing psychology, social work, and allied health, senior citizens, service providers, and tech start-ups are encouraged to participate. For more information, please visit the DEMCON 2025 website.