Yet many Singaporeans are still clueless about the disease, Mr Lim Boon Heng, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, said on Wednesday at the 24th Conference of Alzheimer's Disease International.

The minister in charge of ageing issues said: 'Many people still think that dementia is a normal part of ageing. Many of us joke about having a 'senior's moment' when we forget a name or number.

'Although it is the old who have dementia, I don't have to tell the many experts gathered here that dementia is a disease, not a normal part of ageing.'

Mr Lim made the point to highlight the importance of recognising and fighting the illness, which affects the brain, causing brain cells to die at a faster rate than normal, leading to failing memory, personality changes among other things. Alzheimer's is one of two main types of dementia.

Singapore has taken various steps to tackle the dementia problem, Mr Lim said, for example, by teaching frontline staff to spot seniors with mental problems, promoting active ageing, among other efforts. The Health Ministry will also ramp up its efforts to support those afflicted with dementia and their care-givers.