THE PROBLEM
Memory Fades. Identity Shouldn’t.
Behind every diagnosis is a person with a lifetime of stories, values, relationships, and experiences. Yet today, millions of people are losing more than memory-they are losing the essence of who they are.
We are in a crisis of identity loss-and our systems are not equipped to respond.
55 Million+
People worldwide are living with dementia today. World Health Organization (WHO)
139 Million
Projected worldwide by 2050.
World Health Organization (WHO)
1 Every 3
seconds, someone in the world develops dementia.
Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI)
$1.6 Trillion
Projected annual global cost of dementia care by 2030.
Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI)
75%+
Dementia care is provided by unpaid family caregivers.
AARP, 2023
THE PROBLEM IS BIGGER THAN MEMORY LOSS
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease affect far more than cognition. They gradually erase identity, relationships, communication, confidence, and independence.
Loss of Identity
Memories fade, but so do the details that make a person who they are—their voice, values, preferences, and life experiences.
Overwhelmed Caregivers
Caregivers face emotional, physical, and financial strain with little support. 61% report high to very high caregiver burden.
AARP, 2023
Broken Communication
Families struggle to connect. Loved ones lose the ability to express themselves, leading to frustration and isolation.
Healthcare Gaps
Clinicians lack the personal history and context needed to deliver truly person-centered care.
Technology Shortcomings
Current tools are not designed for dementia care, are difficult to use, or do not integrate into care workflows.
Stories Lost Forever
Once a memory is gone, it is often gone forever. The stories, wisdom, and life lessons walk away with time.
WHY PRESERVING IDENTITY BEFORE DIAGNOSIS MATTERS
The best time to capture a life story is before memory loss begins. Early preservation empowers families, strengthens connections, and enables better care.
Preserves What Matters Most.
Captures a person’s voice, values, preferences, and experiences while they can still share them.
Improves Quality of Care.
Care teams gain critical context to deliver personalized, respectful, and effective care.
Reduces Caregiver Burden.
Empowers caregivers with tools, insights, and connection.
Strengthens Family Bonds.
Creates meaningful conversations today that become priceless tomorrow.
Creates a Lasting Legacy.
Future generations inherit more than names-they inherit wisdom, lessons, and love.
GENEALOGY PLATFORMS WERE NOT BUILT FOR DEMENTIA CARE
Genealogy websites preserve family history after someone has passed. They were never designed to support daily caregiving or help healthcare teams understand the individual behind the diagnosis.
Most existing platforms:
- Capture facts, not the person.
- Focus on ancestry rather than identity.
- Offer little support for caregivers.
- They are not designed for healthcare workflows.
- Do not preserve identity in a way that improves care today.
We Can’t Stop Memory Loss.
But We Can Preserve Identity.
Cherish These Words is building the foundation for a future where every person is seen, known, understood, and remembered.
Facts without context cannot inform care.
Stories without structure cannot be remembered.
Identity without preservation cannot be honored.
This is the gap Cherish These Words fills.
