For many families, supporting a member living with dementia is marked by confusion, grief, and relational loss — as friends stop visiting and some family members withdraw in distress from the person at the centre of it all. Yet research indicates that this same experience, however unwelcome, can also become a turning point for unexpected growth, deeper intimacy, and new meaning in life.

When dementia takes away speech, it can feel like connection is slipping too. But our research The Dance of Communication reveals that even without words, awareness and belonging remain.

While the terms dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are often used interchangeably, they’re not the same thing. In this article we’ll explore the difference, and how Upside Stories can support you or someone you love.

According to the 2024 Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care, up to 48% of dementia cases may be linked to key risk factors — many of which you can influence.