This article is part of “Innovations In: Alzheimer's Disease” an editorially independent special report that was produced with financial support from Eisai. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is typically followed by years of uncertainty, grief and a painful decline into oblivion. The earlier someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the sooner they can begin interventions and start to plan for the future. Tara Haelle explores the reasons for that and profiles one program aiming to help states coordinate and improve care for dementia patients and their caregivers. But for the first time since the condition’s initial description in 1906, scientists and clinicians are providing both dementia patients and their family members with glimmers of hope.