Asst. Prof. İdil Arasan Doğan stated that early diagnosis in Alzheimer's plays an important role in planning treatment, care, and support processes, and that fear and stigma also contribute to the delay in diagnosis.
“When symptoms are noticed directly affects both the management of the disease and the family's adaptation process,” said Asst. Prof. İdil Arasan Doğan, adding, “Early diagnosis is not an end, but a beginning; however, this beginning is not solely for the patient.
At the time of diagnosis, there is also a caregiver who takes on the disease with them, and when that person is left alone, the entire process becomes fragile.”
While 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, it is stated that approximately three-quarters of these individuals do not receive a diagnosis. The theme “The earlier you know, the more you can do,” set by Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) for World Alzheimer's Month 2026, draws attention to the importance of early diagnosis in treatment, care, and support processes.
Üsküdar University Faculty Member, Turkish Alzheimer Association Board Member Asst. Prof. İdil Arasan Doğan made assessments on the importance of early diagnosis, societal factors delaying diagnosis, and the support of caregivers on the occasion of September 21 World Alzheimer's Awareness Day.
Asst. Prof. İdil Arasan Doğan stated that in addition to medical factors, social reasons also play a role in delaying diagnosis, emphasizing that evaluation should not be postponed even for seemingly insignificant symptoms.
Asst. Prof. İdil Arasan Doğan, who has been involved in support activities for individuals living with dementia and their families for many years, stated that the most common misconception in the field is that dementia is seen as a natural consequence of aging.
Dr. İdil Arasan Doğan said, “Dementia is not a normal part of aging; it is a progressive brain disease. When symptoms are noticed directly affects both the management of the disease and the family's adaptation process.”
Delaying Diagnosis Also Delays Care and Support Processes
Asst. Prof. İdil Arasan Doğan stated that diagnosis does not only mean naming the disease, but also represents an important beginning for planning treatment, care, and support processes.
Arasan Doğan, who stated that the thought “What does knowing change?” is often behind the postponement of diagnosis, said, “However, early diagnosis has concrete benefits. Drug treatment can be initiated at the stage when the person's functionality is highest. The person can participate more in the process regarding where they will live, how their care will be arranged, and other decisions concerning themselves. The family can manage the process prepared; incidents of getting lost and falling can be prevented, and the frequency of hospitalizations also decreases.”
Not Every Forgetfulness Means Dementia
Arasan Doğan stated that one of the most challenging issues for families is distinguishing between age-related forgetfulness and symptoms that require evaluation, saying, “Forgetting where a key was placed can be explained by age; forgetting what a key is for cannot. Mixing up the day of an appointment is normal; asking the same question three times in ten minutes is not. It can be expected to have difficulty remembering a word; it is not expected to stop mid-sentence and not find the word at all. Or asking for directions in an unfamiliar neighborhood is ordinary, but getting lost on a known street is a symptom that needs to be addressed.”
“Alzheimer is Not a Disease to be Ashamed Of”
Arasan Doğan stated that the barriers to diagnosis are not always medical, pointing out that fear and stigma can delay seeking help. Referring to data from Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), Arasan Doğan said, “According to ADI data, 35% of caregivers hide the dementia diagnosis in their family from their surroundings; 46% of people living with dementia and their relatives cite fear and stigma as barriers to diagnosis. While 88% of people living with dementia report experiencing discrimination, 65% of health and care professionals consider dementia a normal part of aging.”
Arasan Doğan stated that stigma can delay the diagnostic process for years, saying, “Alzheimer is not a disease to be ashamed of. It is not the result of anyone's negligence; it cannot be explained by a person's character, will, or lifestyle.”
Attention to Modifiable Risk Factors!
Arasan Doğan also emphasized the importance of efforts to reduce dementia risk, saying, “The 14 modifiable risk factors identified by the Lancet Commission on Dementia indicate that up to 45% of dementia cases could be prevented. These factors include low education level, hearing loss, high LDL cholesterol, depression, head trauma, physical inactivity, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, social isolation, air pollution, and untreated vision loss. Despite this, one in four people believes there is nothing that can be done for dementia.”
Caregivers Also Need Support
Arasan Doğan emphasized that the scope of intervention in dementia should not be limited solely to the patient, stating, “The caregiver is not just a supporter of the care process, but an intervention target in their own right. Their burden can be measured, their risk foreseen, and reduced with a structured program.”
Arasan Doğan noted that caregivers with high levels of burnout can experience chronic stress, anger, guilt, and helplessness, and that this situation can turn into intolerance and unintentional neglect over time. Arasan Doğan stated that psychoeducation and psychological support programs for caregivers directly protect the quality of patient care.
“Early Diagnosis is Not an End, But a Beginning”
Emphasizing that caregivers also need to be supported along with the diagnosis, Arasan Doğan concluded her words as follows:
“Early diagnosis is not an end, but a beginning; however, this beginning is not solely for the patient. At the time of diagnosis, there is also a caregiver who takes on the disease with them, and when that person is left alone, the entire process becomes fragile. In dementia, alongside what we cannot cure today, there is always a side we can strengthen: the caregiver themselves. There is much that can be done there.”
