A new day-care centre for people living with dementia has opened in New Town, offering much-needed support to patients and their families. The facility has been launched by the Kolkata chapter of the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI), which has been working with dementia patients in the city for nearly two decades.
The organisation began its journey in the Survey Park area and has now expanded its services with a second centre at Action Area 2 in New Town, near the City Centre 2 Metro station. The facility will remain open from Monday to Saturday, between 10 am and 4 pm, providing care and supervision for people affected by dementia.
Dementia is becoming an increasing public health concern in India. According to estimates, more than 8.8 million people in the country are currently living with dementia or memory-related disorders. Experts have warned that the number could rise to around 16.9 million, or nearly 1.7 crore, by 2036.
Kolkata has also witnessed a growing number of dementia cases, while specialised infrastructure and day-care facilities for patients remain limited. Families often face significant challenges in providing continuous care, supervision and meaningful engagement for elderly relatives affected by the condition.
The newly opened centre is expected to provide a supportive environment where patients can spend time safely while receiving appropriate care and supervision. It may also offer families some relief from the demands of full-time caregiving.
The initiative marks an important step towards strengthening dementia-care infrastructure in Kolkata.
