In Starr County, Texas, the prevalence of dementia significantly impacts local families, with nearly one in five adults on Medicare affected—over double the national average. The emotional toll is evident in Jessica Cantú’s story, as she navigates caring for her father with dementia while upholding a family promise to never place him in a nursing facility. The complexity of dementia is highlighted by the fact that no single cause has been identified, and numerous factors—including genetics and lifestyle—contribute to its onset. Efforts to mitigate risks can potentially delay or prevent many cases.
Dementia looms over the Cantú family tree. Two of Tomas's 10 siblings had it; Jessica wondered whether more might have, if they'd lived longer.
As with many cancers, it can emerge from a lifetime of accumulated strain—from genetics, environment, and behavior.
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