We all forget things. Names, dates, phone chargers – even why we walked into the kitchen. It’s called being human… or, let’s be honest, being over 40 in a digital world with too many tabs open in our heads.
But sometimes, forgetfulness isn’t just ‘old age’ or ‘too much screen time.’ Sometimes, it’s the early whisper of something far more serious – Alzheimer’s or dementia quietly settling in.
I’ve seen it firsthand. My father, a senior government officer and Hafiz-e-Quran, began forgetting little things. But slowly, those small lapses turned into painful disorientation. Watching someone so sharp lose himself… is a grief I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
We brushed it off as ‘tiredness’ or ‘a bad day.’ But Alzheimer’s doesn’t wait for a formal invitation. It creeps in, rearranges memories, and turns brilliant minds into strangers to themselves. Thankfully, the world is catching up.
New drugs like Leqembi and Donanemab are already in use in the US and other countries. These treatments can slow down the disease, but only if caught early. There’s even a simple blood test now that can detect Alzheimer’s before symptoms fully show. Canada is reviewing them. Pakistan should pay attention too.
It’s time to end the silence. Dementia isn’t shameful — but ignoring it is. Let’s push for awareness, early diagnosis and future-ready care. Because forgetfulness may be common… But forgetting our responsibility isn’t an option.
Faisal I Siddiqi
Mississauga, Canada
