What happens when families sense cognitive change years before dementia is ever named, and are left living in uncertainty while waiting for clarity that arrives too late?

In this episode, Andrew Karesa sits down with Greg McGillis, engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of Brain Care Technologies, to explore why dementia is so often detected only after lives have already been disrupted, and what might change if cognitive decline were noticed earlier.

Greg shares the long arc of his career, beginning in the early 1990s working in assistive technology with people whose physical disabilities limited their independence. That early work shaped his understanding of dignity and agency, lessons that stayed with him through decades in engineering leadership before he made a deliberate return to biomedical engineering later in life.

The conversation becomes deeply personal as Greg reflects on supporting his father in law, who is now living with Lewy body dementia in long term care. He speaks candidly about watching subtle changes accumulate, the years of uncertainty before answers arrived, and how families are often left wishing they had known sooner, not for a cure, but for time, planning, and fewer surprises.

Andrew and Greg explore why the gap between early brain changes and clinical diagnosis remains so wide, and what families lose during that waiting period. They discuss how current systems often rely on crisis rather than curiosity, and why caregivers are frequently the first to notice cognitive change long before healthcare systems are prepared to respond.

The episode also examines Greg’s work at Brain Care Technologies and his belief that understanding brain function earlier, through non invasive approaches, can support better conversations and planning. Rather than positioning technology as a solution on its own, Greg emphasizes its role in helping families move from confusion to clarity, while respecting uncertainty and avoiding false promises.

Throughout the conversation, Greg challenges the idea that early awareness should be feared. He speaks to the importance of hope grounded in realism, and why earlier understanding, even without definitive answers, can empower families rather than overwhelm them.

In this episode:

• Why dementia is often detected years after cognitive changes begin

• What families lose during the long wait for answers

• Why caregivers are usually the first to notice change

• The emotional toll of uncertainty before diagnosis

• What early awareness can and cannot change today

• How earlier understanding can support planning and dignity

• Why proactive dementia care must be handled with honesty and care

Whether you are a caregiver, a family member, or someone trying to understand dementia beyond clinical timelines and stereotypes, this conversation offers clarity, perspective, and a grounded look at why knowing sooner can change how dementia care is experienced.

Learn more at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://www.bluebellvillage.ca

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://braincaretech.ca

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Andrew Karesa, blueBell Village Ltd., or any of its employees, contractors, or team members.