What a year 2025 was for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It was a year of quiet courage and big headlines, of high school students and world leaders, of scientific breakthroughs and simple acts of kindness in care communities like the James L. West Center for Dementia Care in Fort Worth. Seen through the lens of dementia, one theme stands out. Progress.
Medical Advances One of the most important moments of the year came when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. For decades, families seeking answers often faced expensive brain scans or invasive spinal taps. The new blood test does not replace a complete medical workup, but it can speed up the path to a diagnosis and reduce bottlenecks for specialists.
That means people can start planning sooner, consider clinical trials sooner, and be evaluated earlier for disease-modifying therapies, when those medicines are most likely to help. Treatment progress also continued. Medicare now has a clearer pathway for covering certain antibody therapies for early Alzheimer’s disease. These drugs are not cures, yet they are meaningful steps toward slowing the course of the disease. In November, Texas voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, which will receive up to $3 billion over the next decade. The institute is expected to attract leading scientists from around the world and create a center of excellence like the state’s high-profile heart and cancer research efforts.
Translating New Discoveries into Care High-quality care communities, such as The James L. West Center for Dementia Care, will help translate new discoveries into practical bedside care, where families feel the impact most directly. In 2025, prevention and brain health moved from the sidelines into the spotlight. While not every case of dementia can be prevented, research is increasingly clear that some risks can be lowered or delayed. Areas that are proven to help prevent or delay dementia include:
· Staying socially connected and mentally engaged
· Correcting vision and hearing loss, since untreated vision and hearing problems raise dementia risk and increase isolation
· Staying physically active with regular, moderate exercise that combines movement and strength
· Managing vascular risks such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease
· Limiting alcohol use, especially heavy drinking
· Getting 7-8 hours of quality sleep
The Human Side of Dementia The year also highlighted the human side of dementia. In February, National Caregivers Day honored the millions of professional and family caregivers who provide daily support to people living with dementia. Throughout the year, education programs and media coverage increasingly described caregivers as essential partners in care, not background helpers.
One especially inspiring local story began with a $400 grant and a teenager. Trinity Valley High School student Thrisha Sukesh chose to focus her project on dementia because her grandfather is living with the disease. She started by bringing flowers and cookies to residents at the James L. West Center. Her effort quickly grew. She recruited classmates to sing for residents and create greeting cards and holiday decorations. Her project, “The Joy of Volunteering,” earned a proclamation from the Fort Worth City Council. By fall 2025, more than 100 student volunteers were involved, showing how young people can build a more dementia friendly community.
Removing the Stigma Dementia is being talked about more, helping to reduce the stigma. Dementia does not discriminate, and more public figures made that visible. Families of entertainers such as Tony Bennett, Glen Campbell, and Bruce Willis continued to share their experiences as care partners.
Stories about former President Ronald Reagan, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, comedian Robin Williams, comedian Jay Leno’s wife, and actor Chris Hemsworth’s genetic risk helped many families feel less alone. Some artists, including Campbell and Bennett, continued performing even while living with dementia. Their music reminded the world that deeply rooted talents and identity can remain strong, even as memory changes. Taken together, the events of 2025 tell a larger story. Science is advancing. Prevention is better understood. Public investment is growing. Stigma is slowly shrinking. Communities and care centers like James L. West are turning research into real-life support for people living with dementia and their care partners.
Moving Forward The journey with dementia is still hard, and the feelings that come with it are very real. Yet this past year offered a clear message. Progress is happening, prevention matters, and no one must walk this path alone. Reach out and ask for help. James L West is here to provide education, support, and care. We’re here, wherever you are on the dementia journey.
About the James L. West Center for Dementia Care For 33 years, the James L. West Center for Dementia Care, a not-for-profit organization, has served those impacted by dementia. Established by Eunice West in honor of her late husband, James L. West, who passed away from dementia, the Center continues to build on its excellence in compassionate care and caregiver and dementia education by expanding its service lines to meet the community’s needs. The Center offers residential care, a Senior Day Program, Short-Term Respite Care, Short-Term Rehabilitation, and professional and family caregiver education, which was recently rebranded as Dementia-IQ Powered by James L. West. Cheryl Harding, Ph.D., has served as President and CEO of the West Center for the past seven years and has led the Center to receive national recognition for excellence and innovation.
