In this episode of Talking Dementia, Dr. Emily Silverman speaks with Dr. Sandeep Jauhar, a cardiologist and acclaimed writer, about how his family’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease reshaped his understanding of the healthcare system, caregiving, and identity. Though trained in science and neuroscience, Dr. Jauhar shares how unprepared he was for the realities of dementia, a disease that affects not only memory, but emotion, self-awareness, and family dynamics.

Drawing from his novel, My Father’s Brain: Life in the Shadow of Alzheimer’s, Dr. Jauhar reflects on the ethical and emotional complexities of caregiving, including denial, guilt, therapeutic deception, and conflict among loved ones. A central focus of the conversation is end-of-life decision making, and how families grapple with advance directives, shifting autonomy, and the difficult question of which version of a person, past or present, should guide care.

About this episode’s featured guest

Dr. Sandeep Jauhar is a cardiologist who specializes in heart failure and a nationally recognized writer on medicine, ethics, and the human side of healthcare. He is the author of My Father’s Brain: Life in the Shadow of Alzheimer’s, a memoir that blends neuroscience, philosophy, and personal narrative to chronicle his family’s experience caring for his father through Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Jauhar’s work explores how illness reshapes identity, family dynamics, and our understanding of dignity at the end of life. Through both his clinical practice and writing, he advocates for more humane, comprehensive approaches to caring for people living with serious illness and those who care for them.

About Remo’s host Dr. Emily Silverman

Dr. Emily Silverman is an internal-medicine physician, Assistant Volunteer Professor of Medicine at UCSF. She is the creator and host of The Nocturnists, an award-winning medical storytelling program that has uplifted the voices of more than 450 clinicians since 2016 through its podcast and live performances. Her work has been supported by a MacDowell fellowship and widely published in numerous publications including JAMA, The New York Times, and NPR. Learn more about Emily by visiting her website.

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The information in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not the practice of medicine or any profession. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Autonomy at the End of Life: Alzheimer’s, Identity, and Letting Go