The word Dementia should be retired

Despite advances in neuroscience and a growing emphasis on early detection and intervention, the word “dementia” continues to evoke images of helplessness, loss, and inevitability. Language is not neutral, as the words we choose can shape perceptions, alter behaviors, and ultimately determine outcomes. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the terminology surrounding cognitive impairment during aging. The term “dementia,” with its etymological roots in the Latin for “without mind,” carries a historical and cultural burden that outweighs any clinical utility it may offer. Its use is outdated, originating in the 13 th century and formalized as a medical diagnosis in 1797, and could be actively causing harm. Meanwhile, there have been significant advances in our understanding of the biology of Alzheimer’s and related diseases resulting in the progressive cognitive and functional decline, known as “dementia”. The CDC acknowledges that dementia is not a specific disease, defining it as an overall term that describes a decline in mental ability that interferes with daily life 1 . It affects memory, thinking, and behavior. In this Comment we argue that the continued use of the stigmatizing label “dementia” could be a threat to one’s identity, a barrier to care, a deterrent to research participation, and a contributor to avoidable suffering. Retiring the term is not a matter of semantics or political correctness but a public health necessity.