Last month marked a significant shift in my practice as I said goodbye to the hospital we have served for over eight years. We worked inside the walls of an acute hospital—some of the many frontline clinicians trying to make a difference in people’s lives. But over time, the truth became too loud to ignore: we weren’t helping people get better. We were watching them suffer, slowly and painfully, with entirely preventable conditions.

On this Stroke Awareness Day, it’s important to understand that a stroke is not typically a random, instantaneous event. According to The Noakes Foundation, while a stroke appears sudden — a blocked or ruptured artery in the brain — the reality is it often follows years of quietly building metabolic and vascular damage.

For many families, cognitive decline and dementia are not just medical diagnoses — they’re life-altering experiences. Watching a loved one lose their memory, personality or independence brings heartbreak, stress and financial strain. Daily routines can change overnight; spouses become caregivers; children take on new responsibilities. It’s no wonder so many people feel powerless in the face of these conditions.

Are you finding it harder to focus, remember details, or maintain mental clarity throughout your day?