My research examines the historical processes and network mechanisms that shape health outcomes, with a focus on cognitive decline in old age. I explore how perceptions of dementia have evolved in Europe and the United States, particularly how these shifts have redefined the roles of older adults' relationships and surrounding organizations, thereby influencing the experience of living with dementia. To understand these dynamics, I study the social contexts that may affect cognitive decline or potentially mitigate its progression. Using a mixed-methods approach, I combine in-depth interviews and quantitative analyses to compare historical trends in medicalization with contemporary settings. My aim is to identify network patterns associated with cognitive decline and their connections to underlying class, gender, and racial inequalities.