The day started like any other—a moment of calm that I’ve learned not to take for granted. My mom had texted me early, saying she was up and moving around but planned to stay in to do some housework. Her tone seemed positive and normal, which put me at ease.…

It’s one thing to realize something is wrong—it’s another to act on it. By the time I decided to talk to my mom’s doctor, the silent signs of dementia were no longer subtle. She wasn’t just forgetting where she’d left her keys or struggling to follow the rules of a…