AlzAuthors: Untangling Alzheimer's & Dementia

Have you ever considered creating a “contract” with yourself as a caregiver—one that clearly defines what you can and cannot do? Debra Hallisey, caregiver advocate and author of  A Relationship Contract for Dementia Caregivers , joins us to share her insights on navigating caregiving dynamics, especially for those caring for a loved one with dementia. In this heartfelt conversation, Debra offers p...

We’re excited to share a powerful new episode: "Dual Diagnosis: When Both Parents Have Dementia at the Same Time,” a replay of a live panel discussion held on November 19, 2024. Host Marianne Sciucco guides us through a powerful conversation with guests Vicki Tapia, Frank Silverstein, and Jean Lee, along with podcast co-host Christy Byrne Yates . Highlights: Vicki Tapia recounts her deeply persona...

Allison Applebaum, PhD, is a clinical psychologist with 15 years of experience in psycho-oncology and a pioneer in caregiver support services. She discovered the critical role family caregivers play in healthcare while during her work with terminally ill cancer patients, where she witnessed the immense impact of caregiving on families. Struck by the lack of targeted support services for caregivers...

Family caregiving is a profound and complex journey, particularly when faced with dementia or terminal illnesses. In this podcast episode, a replay of a Books & Chit Chat discussion, we delve into the experiences of Malia Kline, co-author of "Sisterly Shove." She shares her heartfelt story of caring for her aging parents and the intricate dynamics encountered with her physician sister and co-a...

Barbara Drake-Vera’s caregiving journey in Peru, caring for her American father with Alzheimer's, is a unique and eye-opening story that sheds light on cultural differences in elder care. While Barbara lived in Lima, Peru with her Peruvian husband, her widowed father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He lived in a four-bedroom home he previously shared with his late wife in Florida, USA, and it was...

In this replay of an Aging & Amazing Book Club discussion, we engage in a deep and emotional conversation with Carolyn Birrell, discussing her personal experience as a caregiver for her mother, who had dementia.\ Carolyn, author of Walking with Fay: My Mother’s Uncharted Path into Dementia , shares her story of coping with the challenges of caregiving, its emotional toll, and the need to find...

Unexpectedly, a physician's journey of caring for her father with Alzheimer's disease leads to groundbreaking insights. From reversing cognitive decline to the impact of emotional trauma, Dr. Helena Popovic shares a wealth of evidence-based strategies for caregivers. Her unique blend of personal experience and scientific knowledge sheds light on effective coping strategies and self-care techniques...

Have you heard these myths about faith's role in caregiving? Myth 1: Faith won't make a difference in the practical challenges. Myth 2: Caregivers must be perfect in their faith to make a difference. Myth 3: Faith won't alleviate the emotional toll of caregiving. Let's unravel them with our guest Dorothy Horne in this replay of Books & Chit Chat with Aging & Amazing. We touch on everything...

Caring for a spouse with dementia is a deeply challenging and emotional journey. In this episode, hosts Marianne Sciucco and Christy Byrne Yates bring together three extraordinary guests: Richard Creighton (aka Frank Brown), Scott Rose, and Tio Stib (aka Stephen Miller), who share their personal experiences and hard-earned insights. Richard Creighton shares his journey caring for his wife Kate, wh...

Marianne and Christy engage in a heartfelt conversation with Allene Symons, devoted caregiver to her late husband Allen, who battled Lewy Body dementia. She’s the author of  Love in a Time of Caterpillars: A Memoir of Monarchs and Caregiving . Her unique perspective on utilizing butterfly gardening as a source of therapy and joy, along with her insights on managing personal health crises during ca...

One parent with dementia is challenging enough, but when you have TWO parents with dementia while raising young children it’s easy to fall into despair and chaos. When Christy Byrne Yates, a licensed educational psychologist, writer, and speaker, found herself in this situation she learned the necessary skills she needed to not only provide care to her parents and children but also to herself. In...

In this heartfelt episode of AlzAuthors, we dive into the emotional and practical aspects of caring for loved ones with dementia, with a special focus on family memories and intergenerational bonds. Jeannette Fazzari Jones shares a particularly touching story about her experiences with her grandparents’ dementia, detailing both the struggles and joys she encountered along the way. She is the autho...

Christy Byrne Yates moderates an Aging & Amazing book club discussion with co-host Marianne Sciucco on the value of fiction in dementia caregiving. Marianne, a founder and manager of AlzAuthors, and also board president, podcast producer and host, draws from her experiences as a nurse and personal caregiver to share her journey and the inspiration behind her novel, "Blue Hydrangeas: An Alzheim...

Welcome to the AlzAuthors podcast, where we explore the power of collaboration and unity within the dementia community. In this episode, we're joined by Gina Awad from the U.K, who has channeled her passion for dementia care into valuable insights for caregivers. Her journey began at a young age, witnessing the impact of dementia on individuals in care homes, which fueled her dedication to the cau...

In this podcast, host Marianne Sciucco is joined by an ensemble of talented poets to officially launch our anthology, Poetry for the Dementia Journey . This collection brings together caregivers who have personally navigated the complexities of caregiving, diagnosis, and emotional upheavals tied to Alzheimer's and dementia. They write about many of the situations common to caregivers: the impact o...

How would you navigate the complication of having your spouse display Dissociative Identity Disorder - previously called Multiple Personality Disorder - alongside symptoms of Alzheimer’s? Today, we delve into the memoir "Don't Forget to Dance" with Marc Alderdice for our June Books & Chit Chat with Aging and Amazing. Marc takes us on a poignant journey through his wife Mary's battle with early...

Welcome back to the podcast where we share the powerful stories of those who have been impacted by Alzheimer's and dementia. In this episode, Christy and Marianne sit down with Sue Fagalde Lick, a remarkable poet, author, musician, and dog lover from the Oregon coast. Sue shares her deeply moving story of caring for her husband, Fred, throughout their Alzheimer’s journey until his passing. We dive...

This podcast is a replay of our recent panel discussion on LGBTQ+ caregiver concerns, hosted by Sue Evans of Kensington Senior Living and AlzAuthors. Authors Laura Davis, Christopher MacLellan, Vincent Zappacosta, and Douglass Christensen joined Sue, Christy and I as we delved into the complexities of caregiving within the LGBTQ+ community. They shared personal stories, insightful advice, and mean...

Vicki Tapia is a founder of AlzAuthors and the author of Somebody Stole My Iron: A Family Memoir of Dementia . In this replay of a recent Aging and Amazing book club discussion, Vicki shares profound insights from her personal experiences. She discusses how caring for two parents with dementia placed a considerable strain on her personal support system. A long-distance caregiver, she found the cha...

Welcome to another insightful episode of Untangling Alzheimer's and Dementia, and a replay of our recent book club with Aging and Amazing. In this episode, we bring together a panel of poets who share a common thread—each has navigated the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia. Your hosts, Marianne Sciucco and Ann Campanella, along with guest authors Daniel Potts, MD, Sue Fagalde Lick...

Perhaps you can’t cure or even prevent Alzheimer’s, but what if you could slow the disease progression? Want to unlock the secrets to living in the moment with Alzheimer's? Get ready to embrace practical advice and actionable insights for a positive journey with Alzheimer's and dementia in this podcast with Danel Gibbs, MD.  He’s a retired neurologist with extensive knowledge in the anatomy of the...

Delight in the surprising journey of Ruth Stevens, from crafting a stage play to penning a heartfelt novel about Alzheimer's. Delve into the unexpected twists and turns as Ruth shares her personal experiences and the emotional impact of her work. Stay tuned for eye-opening insights on turning personal stories into fiction and a sneak peek into her upcoming duology. Get ready to be captivated by Ru...

When you’re caregiving, it can often feel like you are out there on your own without direction or resources. Sometimes, it can even feel like your healthcare providers aren’t able to meet your needs. If any of this sounds familiar, this episode will be of comfort. Our special guest is Lance A. Slatton. Lance A. Slatton, the founder of a prominent home care company in southeastern Michigan, brings...

This is a replay of our book club discussion with our friends at Aging & Amazing. "Books & Chit Chat" is a monthly book club featuring a title from the AlzAuthors collection. Throughout the month, readers participate in a discussion in the book club's Circle community at Aging & Amazing, then meet with the author for an in-depth discussion of the book and the caregiving journey. The on...

By Christy Byrne Yates, MS, California, US Podcast Description: Discover the unexpected truth about dementia care from a professional who found herself on the other side of caregiving. Get ready to uncover the surprising insights that transformed her perspective and could change yours too. Find out what left her reevaluating her own caregiving advice and how she's now championing an empowering app...