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Dementia is a growing problem, particularly in a country like India, which has a rapidly ageing population. Awareness, diagnosis and access to care however, continue to remain limited. Can digital and assistive technologies help? Researchers and doctors say there is a lot of potential, but the challenge is, in making them affordable for patients.
The burden
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases added annually. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, contributing to 60–70% of cases. Low- and middle-income countries, including India, bear the greatest burden, with dementia prevalence expected to triple by 2050 due to demographic ageing.
Emerging technologies
“In India, assistive and digital technologies are emerging as force multipliers,” said Prabash Prabhakaran, director and senior consultant, neurology, SIMS Hospital, Chennai. These range from GPS trackers and low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) wearables for patients who wander or leave their designated areas, to home sensors that monitor movement, appliance usage, or medication adherence.
Smartwatches and wearable devices for activity, sleep and fall detection are becoming more common, while smartphone-based cognitive screening apps and gamified brain-training tools are in validation stages. Virtual reality modules are also being piloted, designed in vernacular languages and Indian cultural settings for reminiscence therapy and navigation training.
At the research frontier, Indian centres are developing blood-based biomarker panels for early Alzheimer’s detection, alongside AI-driven multimodal digital biomarkers that combine gait, speech, typing patterns and passive smartphone signals.
“Earlier and scalable detection is becoming possible because smartphone penetration is high, even among older households,” Dr. Prabhakaran explained. Studies have shown that keystroke dynamics, speech analysis and passive phone use can serve as unobtrusive early-warning signals.
Sindhuja L., consultant neurophysician at V.S. Hospitals, Chennai, said AI now picks up subtle changes “in brain scans, speech or even handwriting that escape the human eye.” She noted that digital biomarkers such as walking speed and reaction time are being captured on tablets and smartphones, even by mobile health units visiting rural communities.
Dr. Prabhakaran stressed that these technologies are not replacements for clinical diagnosis, but “powerful early detection and monitoring tools, especially valuable in India where clinic-based testing is episodic.”
Easing caregiver stress
“Dementia disrupts daily living, independence, and safety while burdening caregivers. Assistive technologies help maintain independence and reduce stress,” Dr. Prabhakaran said. In practice, families are using GPS trackers, pill-box alarms, fall detectors, and voice-assisted reminders. Smart-home solutions, such as motion-triggered lights and automatic stove shut-offs, are now feasible in urban settings.
Therapeutic tools also show promise. Virtual reality reminiscence therapy has allowed patients to revisit festivals or familiar neighbourhoods, sparking positive memories. “When families join in brain-training games in local languages, they turn into a shared, engaging activity instead of a medical routine,” Dr. Sindhuja said.
Gaps and digital-first solutions
Nearly two-thirds of India’s older adults live in rural areas, where dementia specialists are scarce. “Travel distance, cost, stigma, and shortage of trained specialists mean many cases remain undiagnosed or untreated,” Dr. Prabhakaran said.
Here, telemedicine, remote monitoring, and community-driven digital platforms offer a bridge. Accredited frontline health workers can use smartphone screening apps, while caregivers rely on WhatsApp-based peer groups for emotional and practical support. Dr. Sindhuja emphasised that “scheduled video calls or remote monitoring can catch problems before they escalate, making care less isolating.”
High costs, lack of insurance, and uneven after-sales support remain critical hurdles. “Most advanced devices are imported and unaffordable for average families,” said Dr. Sindhuja. In rural areas, poor connectivity worsens access. Cultural barriers also persist, as memory loss is still seen as part of normal ageing, leading to delayed care-seeking.
Considering these challenges, Sridhar Vaitheeswaran, consultant psychiatrist and the head of DEMCARES (Dementia Care in SCARF) at the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) in Chennai, said the Foundation, in collaboration with Imperial College London, has been working on technologies like the humanoid robot to assist people living with dementia, offering companionship and cognitive support.
SCARF is also developing virtual reality services and using platforms such as Zoom to help patients connect with their families. The aim is to improve these tools and create more seamless ways for people with dementia to stay engaged and supported.
Need for subsidies
Dr. Prabhakaran called for policy interventions including subsidies, insurance inclusion, and local-language adaptation. He proposed “digital dementia corners” at primary health centres, equipped with tablets, VR stations, and screening kiosks.
Doctors emphasised the need for public–private partnerships to localise production, ensure affordability, and drive awareness campaigns in regional languages.
Towards a national dementia-tech ecosystem
A wide range of assistive technologies is used globally– In Japan, scannable QR codes and wearable barcodes are widely used to help locate individuals who wander. The U.K. promotes the use of reminder clocks, smart home sensors and medication dispensers through the National Health Services and dementia charities. In the U.S., devices like AngelSense integrate GPS tracking, two-way communication and fall detection, offering comprehensive monitoring. Australia supports telecare systems and simplified tablets for memory and social engagement. Sweden and the Netherlands are pioneers in using smart homes and robotic companions for dementia care, incorporating AI and ambient monitoring.
These innovations, however, remain out of reach for most Indian families. The challenge, experts argue, is not just scientific but systemic, ensuring that validated, affordable, culturally relevant technologies reach homes across India. The path forward lies in scalable, inclusive technology, integrated with grassroots healthcare and caregiver networks.
As Dr. Prabhakaran explained, “Assistive devices, GPS trackers, smart-home solutions, and therapeutic tools are not luxuries: they are critical enablers of safer, more independent living. With proper validation, affordability, and integration into national elder-care programmes, these technologies can transform dementia care in the coming decade.”
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