Will This Happen to Me Too?
Why Dementia Numbers Are Rising — and Why Fear Is Not the Answer
By Ellen Samson - Dementia Speaker
At some point, almost every caregiver asks this quietly:
“My mother has dementia. Does that mean I will have it too?”
“My father is declining. Is this where my life is headed?”
I hear these questions again and again — in my inbox, in comments, in private messages, and during conversations on the Dear Ellen Podcast.
Recently, a report shared by Smithsonian Magazine, based on a major study published in Nature Medicine, brought this fear back into the spotlight. The projection says that by 2060, up to one million people in the U.S. may be diagnosed with dementia each year.
That headline alone is enough to stop anyone in their tracks.
But numbers without context create panic. And panic does not help families care better. Understanding does.
What the Smithsonian Report Really Means
Let’s slow this down.
The rise in dementia cases is happening largely because people are living longer. Dementia risk increases with age — so as more people reach their 80s, 90s, and beyond, more individuals will naturally experience some form of cognitive decline.
This does not mean dementia is guaranteed.
It does not mean everyone will reach a severe stage.
It does not mean families should feel helpless.
The study discusses lifetime risk — meaning across many decades. Many people counted in that projection will live independently for years, with mild symptoms that never progress the way families fear.
Dementia Is Not One Story
Something I always remind families — and something the Smithsonian article reinforces — is that dementia is not one disease.
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Alzheimer’s is the most common type, but not the only one.
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Some dementias affect behavior first.
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Some affect judgment.
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Some move slowly.
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Some fluctuate.
When families hear the word “dementia,” they often imagine the worst-case scenario immediately. That fear can prevent them from learning, planning, and seeking support early.
And early understanding matters.
Risk Is Not Destiny
Yes, age increases risk.
Yes, genetics can play a role.
But risk is not destiny.
Doctors and researchers agree — and I repeat it often on the Dear Ellen Podcast — that:
The same things that protect your heart also protect your brain.
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Managing blood pressure
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Controlling blood sugar
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Getting enough sleep
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Staying physically active
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Keeping the mind engaged
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Staying socially connected
These habits don’t promise immunity, but they can reduce risk and slow decline.
That’s not false hope.
That’s realistic, practical care.
Why I Do This Work
This is exactly why I created the Dear Ellen Podcast and the Dementia: Up Close and Personal Community Workshops.
Not to scare people. Not to overwhelm families with medical jargon.
But to talk about dementia the way it actually shows up in real life — inside homes, marriages, families, and caregiving relationships.
We talk about:
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behaviors that confuse families
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guilt and burnout caregivers rarely say out loud
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planning before crisis hits
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boundaries, support, and realistic expectations
Dementia is not just a medical diagnosis.
It is a family experience.
And families deserve guidance that feels human, compassionate, and clear — not clinical and cold.
The Bigger Picture
Dementia cases are rising, yes — Smithsonian reported that clearly.
But dementia is not inevitable, and it is not the end of dignity, connection, or meaning.
What makes the biggest difference is not only medication.
It’s preparation.
It’s education.
It’s support.
It’s honest conversations early, not when families are already exhausted.
Final Thought
Fear should never be the plan.
Understanding gives families steadier ground.
Preparation gives them choices.
Community reminds them they are not alone.
That is the heart of the Dear Ellen Podcast.
That is the purpose of Dementia: Up Close and Personal.
And that is why these conversations matter — now more than ever.
Source:
Smithsonian Magazine, “U.S. Dementia Cases Are Poised to Rise to One Million Each Year by 2060,” January 2025.
Ellen Samson Dementia Speaker
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