Sensitive communication on dementia important: Minister

Fisheries Minister A. Srinath on Saturday stressed the need for greater awareness and sensitive communication about dementia, saying the way the condition is portrayed could shape how society perceives and treats persons living with it.

Speaking at the valedictory session of DEMCON 2026, organised by the Dementia India Alliance in collaboration with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Tamil Nadu, Mr. Srinath said awareness should go beyond posters and programmes and help families find answers to practical questions on identifying symptoms, seeking help and supporting a loved one.

“Awareness must begin with understanding,” he said, pointing out that forgetfulness or confusion in an elderly person was often dismissed as a natural part of ageing. “But ageing and dementia are not the same,” he said.

He also underlined the role of the media, cinema, writers and other communicators in changing perceptions of dementia. He said he would facilitate the making of a short film on dementia to create greater awareness about the condition. “We need more sensitive storytelling, more responsible conversations and less stigma,” Mr. Srinath said.

The Minister stressed the need for collaboration between the government, healthcare institutions, civil society, media, families and communities to take awareness and support beyond conference halls and into neighbourhoods and households.

Dementia India Alliance co-founders Radha S. Murthy and Shyam Viswanathan and executive director Ramani Sundaram were among those present.