Knowing about dementia earlier makes a difference

WE often think of dementia as a disease of forgetting. But sometimes, the first signs are not simply about memory. They can appear as small changes in everyday life – moments when things that were once familiar begin to feel a little less easy.

These changes can be subtle. They find using a television remote they have used countless times before difficult to navigate; a recipe they have used countless times has become harder to follow; they might ask the same question again and again in a conversation without realising it has already been answered. Because these changes can be gradual, they may easily be overlooked or simply put down to getting older.

Not every change means dementia, of course, and these signs alone cannot confirm a diagnosis. But when such changes persist and begin to affect everyday life, they are worth noticing rather than simply being dismissed as normal ageing. Speaking to a healthcare professional can help determine what may be happening.

The 2026 World Alzheimer’s Month campaign carries a simple but important message: “The earlier you know, the more you can do – a dementia diagnosis matters.” Although dementia cannot currently be reversed or cured, an early diagnosis gives individuals and their families more time to understand what is happening, explore available support and treatment options, and prepare for what lies ahead. It can also help the person living with dementia maintain independence and live as well as possible for as long as possible.

Dementia also affects the people who love and care for those living with the condition. As it progresses, communication can become more difficult. A person may struggle to find the right words, follow a conversation, or express what they need. For families and caregivers, adapting to these changes can be challenging.

When communication changes, we need to change the way we communicate – not change the relationship. This might mean using simpler words, allowing more time for an answer, or offering reassurance instead of correcting. It may mean finding a different way to approach a difficult moment and meeting them where they are, rather than expecting them to communicate as they once did.

Memories may fade, and dementia may change the conversation, but the need to feel loved, understood, and connected remains.

Today, on World Alzheimer’s Day, let’s start by noticing the changes and learning to listen differently. Because the earlier we know, the more we can do – for the person living with dementia, for the people who care for them, and for the relationships, choices, and moments that matter most.

ONG YI SONG

PhD candidate

Kuala Lumpur