Dementia is not a specific disease but is rather a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Though dementia mostly affects older adults, it is not a part of normal aging.

Dementia affects each person in a different way, depending on the underlying causes, other health conditions, and the person’s cognitive functioning before becoming ill. The signs and symptoms linked to dementia can be understood in three stages. The early stage of dementia is often overlooked because the onset is gradual. As dementia progresses to the middle stage, the signs and symptoms become more obvious, and may include forgetting recent events and people's names, as well as becoming confused at home. The late stage of dementia is one of near total dependence and inactivity. Memory disturbances are serious, and the physical signs and symptoms become more obvious and may include becoming unaware of the time and place.

Dr. Ninad Baste is actively involved in addressing dementia as a public health priority, increasing dementia awareness, creating a dementia-inclusive society, reducing dementia risk, providing dementia diagnosis, treatment, and care, developing dementia information systems, supporting dementia caregivers, and engaging in research and innovation.