Elderly woman with Alzheimer’s relearns to spell her name
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In India, 87-year-old Tara Pal rediscovered the ability to spell her name and her daughter’s, even as Alzheimer’s disease progressed, demonstrating that learning and cognitive function can persist despite the illness.
Pal practiced with alphabet blocks, repeating the task until she could form the letters, which engaged her brain and improved her quality of life. Geriatrician Dr.
Prasun Chatterjee explains that Alzheimer’s affects different memory systems at varying rates, leaving some learning capabilities intact, particularly those based on repetition and emotional connection. Chatterjee’s work focuses on early detection and interventions for cognitive decline, noting that dementia is a syndrome while Alzheimer’s is a specific disease causing it.
He observed similar success with 78-year-old Kamla Mehra from Noida, who received a comprehensive program of cognitive training and everyday activities, increasing her cognitive score from 67 to 87 out of 100 after three months. Chatterjee emphasizes that the brain retains plasticity throughout life and responds to stimulation, and that interventions should address multiple cognitive areas.
He also stresses the importance of emotional support and early assessment, as approximately 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above were living with dementia as of 2020, and that number is expected to grow with India’s aging population. He advocates for integrating brain health into broader discussions of wellbeing and encourages cognitive assessments starting at age 65.
