" My mother watched her loving husband look at her with blankness or contempt and sometimes hatred. And yet dementia is classed as a social condition, so that the state is not required to pay for long-term residential care. Calling it what it is – brain damage – is too expensive. "
- Rose George

The quote discusses the emotional toll of dementia on a family when one spouse suffers from this degenerative condition, affecting their relationship with their partner. The person speaking describes her mother's experience watching her father, who had been deeply loving, gradually lose his ability to connect emotionally due to dementia, experiencing everything from indifference to contempt and even hatred towards her. This situation highlights the profound impact of dementia on personal relationships.

Beyond its immediate context, this quote delves into broader societal issues surrounding dementia care. It points out that while dementia is recognized as a social condition, it does not necessarily qualify for state-funded long-term residential care. By suggesting that referring to dementia as "brain damage" would secure more funding but is avoided due to cost concerns, the speaker emphasizes the financial and emotional burden on families. This perspective challenges readers to consider whether society should allocate resources differently to support those affected by such conditions.

Rose George is a renowned journalist known for her investigative reporting and travel writing. She has written extensively about various social issues, including maritime labor rights and sanitation in urban areas. Her work often brings attention to neglected or underrepresented topics, making her insights both informative and thought-provoking.