Medical ideology as a double-edged sword: The politics of cure and care in the making of Alzheimer's disease

► The medicalization of senility legitimized the Alzheimer's disease social movement and helped raise awareness of the problems of aging. ► The medicalization of senility also undermined advocacy for long-term care. ► Medicalizing health-related social problems can backfire on social movements seeking redress to their grievances. ► Activists must demand that needs and humanity of all persons be acknowledged as sources of legitimacy in themselves.