We don’t talk much about dementia, so when it happens to someone we know: we aren’t sure how to talk to him or her to let them know we are there and that we care.   The years of negative social stigma have led many to believe a diagnosis of dementia means there’s nothing that can be done. When we use negative words and express negative thoughts due to lack of education and understanding of this illness, we label those with dementia with those exact words like “crazy, old, hopeless, lost, shadow of their former self, disappearing”. Stigma contributes to “social isolation” for persons with dementia and their loved ones. Perhaps the loneliness of this social isolation contributes to many of the negatives associated with dementia. As we reduce the stigma of this disease, fear and misunderstanding will lose their power to cast a shadow of helplessness, devaluation, embarrassment, and disempowerment. Together let’s begin to break down the stigma of dementia by talking about it.