Dementia Reimagined

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Tia Powell, a physician and bioethicist, confronts the challenges of dementia when her grandmother and mother are diagnosed, facing the unsettling reality of her own risk. With 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 daily in the U.S., the likelihood of developing dementia by age 85 approaches 50%. Despite ongoing promises from pharmaceutical companies, no cure is imminent. Dr. Powell shifts the focus from seeking a cure to emphasizing care, exploring how to enhance the lives of those with dementia and maintain their joy. This work combines medical insights with personal narrative, revealing the untold history of dementia, including the contributions of Solomon Fuller, a pioneering black doctor whose early research laid the groundwork for our understanding of the disease. Dr. Powell critiques the recent surge in funding for Alzheimer's research, highlighting the neglect of other dementia forms. By demystifying dementia, she offers a clearer perspective from both a physician's and caregiver's viewpoint. Ultimately, her message is that dementia encompasses not just loss, but also the preservation of dignity and hope.