Dementia Advocacy Starts At Home - Shon's Story & Diagnosis

Send us Fan MailDementia doesn’t always announce itself with a big moment. Sometimes it starts with “normal” forgetfulness, a few missing items, a messy house that never used to be messy, and a gut feeling that something is off. We open with why this topic is personal for us, then bring on Sean to tell the real story of her mother’s early onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis and what it feels like when the system shrugs and moves on.Shon walks us through the early signs, the initial dismissal as stress and menopause, and the turning point that led to neurology testing and an MRI. We dig into what families are often not told: how little proactive education can be offered after a dementia diagnosis, how quickly caregivers are forced into research mode, and why depression, fear, and paranoia can become part of the Alzheimer’s journey. We also talk candidly about caregiving, including role reversal, grief, and the daily practice of not taking symptoms personally.A major thread is Alzheimer’s awareness in the Black community and the health disparities that raise risk and reduce access. We connect dementia risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and chronic stress to real-world barriers such as food deserts, limited specialist access, and mistrust built from lived experience. Sean also shares why she pushed for her own brain health answers, including genetic testing and the need for baseline measurements earlier in life.If you care about brain health, early detection, Alzheimer’s prevention, caregiving support, and health equity, this conversation will stick with you. Subscribe so you don’t miss part two, share this with someone navigating memory loss, and leave a review with the question you want us to tackle next.