AlzAuthors: Untangling Alzheimer's & Dementia

Podcast Description: Jane Dwinell, co-author of Alzheimer's Canyon, brings a heartfelt and personal touch to the podcast. As a former Unitarian Universalist minister and with a background in nursing and hospice care, Jane's journey as a caregiver for her husband, Sky Yardley, provides a unique and empathetic perspective on the impact of Alzheimer's. Through their public speaking tour and workshops...

This is the replay of our inaugural 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 jou...

Have you heard these myths about the power of art in dementia care? Myth 1: Only artistic individuals can benefit from art therapy. Myth 2: People with advanced dementia can't engage in creative activities. Myth 3: Art therapy is only about painting and drawing. In this podcast, you will learn how different art forms can benefit those living with dementia and how you can incorporate them in your c...

Anyone living with Alzheimer's or dementia, and those who care for them, knows the importance of lifestyle adjustments to successfully navigate this journey. From simple strategies like making lists, reducing social commitments, and focusing on tasks that bring joy, to complex maneuvers like family involvement in advanced directive planning, the lifestyle changes are indeed varied. In this podcast...

AlzAuthors is excited and honored to partner with the online community  Aging & Amazing  for a monthly book club, a “Meet the Author” type of event: AlzAuthors Books and Chit Chat. The book club will feature a new book and author every month. The first few months have been scheduled and include: January 30th 7pm EST:  Andrea Couture  –  Embracing What Remains: A Memoir  February 27th 7pm EST: ...

Caregiver Andrea Couture juggles young children, caregiving during the COVID 19 pandemic, and stigma to share her father's Alzheimer's journey, seeking connection and support in a rural community. Andrea Couture, the author of " Embracing What Remains ," brings a unique perspective to the podcast with her firsthand experience caring for her father, a surgeon diagnosed with dementia, while also rai...

Lori Aden and Sheila Parsley are two incredible women who have taken their personal experiences as caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer's and turned them into a powerful tool for support and understanding. Through their series of children's books, Lori and Sheila have found a unique way to address the complexities of Alzheimer's disease in a relatable and compassionate manner. With whimsical d...

In a health crisis, we often refer to our journey as a "battle." We may see ourselves as "warriors." This is true for those impacted by Alzheimer's and dementia. The diagnosis brings uncertainty, disruption, and fear. But what happens when you're dealing with dementia in the middle of a war zone? When airstrikes are the norm, and screeching sirens interrupt each day, warning you to seek safety and...

In this episode of Untangling Alzheimer's & Dementia, hosts Marianne Sciucco and Christy Byrne Yates are joined by guests Cynthia Stone and Caroline Prioleau to discuss their documentary film "Keys Bags Names Words." The film explores the experiences of individuals and families affected by dementia and highlights the importance of community support and education. Cynthia and Caroline share the...

In this episode, you'll hear from a diverse group of guests who share their personal experiences and insights on living with dementia. Peter Berry, Michael Ellenbogen, Gerda Saunders, and Jennifer Bute each bring their unique perspectives, providing a wealth of knowledge and understanding about the challenges and triumphs of navigating life with dementia. From discussing the impact of technology o...

Join hosts Marianne Sciucco and Christy Byrne Yates as they discuss the launch of the Whole Care Network's new streaming radio channel with guest Christopher MacLellan, the passionate founder, who aims to connect and empower caregivers through this groundbreaking platform. The app provides trusted information and support to caregivers. Listen to The Whole Care Network Streaming Radio! Download the...

Anne Kenny, MD had been practicing medicine for more than 30 years, recognized by her peers as a “Top Doc” in Geriatric Medicine, but that did not make her caregiving journey with her mother any easier. In fact, when the professional became personal, she sought guidance through the available literature and found little to guide her and her family through the difficult decision making required in d...

Have you heard these common myths about reading to individuals with dementia? Myth 1: People with dementia can't understand or enjoy reading. Myth 2: Reading is a solitary activity and won't benefit socialization. Myth 3: It's too late to start reading to someone with dementia. In this episode, Susan Ostrowski debunks these myths and shares the truth about the impact of the Reading2Connect program...

Kate Hanley’s discovery of her parent’s unique love language set her on a path she never anticipated—writing a book. Yet these beautiful “paper napkin sonnets,” and the story that surrounds them, were too precious and inspiring not to share, as they offer hope for anyone in the throes of caring for someone with dementia. The overwhelming peace she had when she witnessed her mother's love for her se...

Join hosts Marianne Sciucco and Christy Byrne Yates on the Untangling Alzheimer's & Dementia podcast as they dive into a lively conversation with AlzAuthor Tami Anastasia about the challenges caregivers face in supporting individuals with dementia. Tami's book, Essential Strategies for Dementia Care: Learning to P.A.C.E. Yourself, offers guidance for caregivers on various topics, from communic...

Register for Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Living with Dementia September 1 at 10:30 AM EST Watch the June 2021 episode on YouTube *** Rayna Neises comes to us from the heartland of Kansas to share her experience as a former caregiver for parents with dementia. She is the author of No Regrets: Hope for Your Caregiving Season . She also hosts the podcast "A Season of Caring," and is...

After a dementia diagnosis and heart surgery, Tony Copeland-Parker and his partner, Catherine, aka "Cat," traveled for years worldwide to run marathons and half-marathons. Now, due to the progression of Cat's early onset Alzheimer's, they've recently settled down in an assisted living facility. Tony and his memoir, Running All Over the World: Our Race Against Early Onset Alzheimer's , first came t...

Jane Mullins, Ph. D. is a dedicated professional with a 30-year background in dementia care. As a trained nurse, Jane has worked in various roles, including managing care homes and supporting people with dementia in memory clinics. Her empathetic approach focuses on enhancing communication and understanding between individuals with dementia and their families. Jane's groundbreaking multisensory re...

A crucial aspect of caregiving is keeping those in your care engaged and productive with simple, everyday tasks. Such activities can include folding laundry, arranging books, cooking, and eating. Not only does this provide purpose and enjoyment for the care recipient, but it also promotes independence and preserves dignity. Encouraging participation in daily tasks, even in a small capacity, can si...

 When Sandra Strauss' husband, Rick, was diagnosed with dementia overnight, she was determined to uncover the truth behind the cause--but what she discovered was far more shocking than anyone could have imagined. Unbeknownst to them, Rick had a rare genetic predisposition that made him highly susceptible to environmental toxins--a factor that could be making countless people sick. Sandra's journe...

In celebration of National Poetry Month, we hosted a gathering of poets on April 18, 2023, to share work inspired by their dementia experiences. We understand that storytelling, of any kind, but especially through poetry lightens burdens. For many caregivers, poetry can be a means of expression, of sharing their experience, opening hearts to joy, or drowning sorrows. Finding the right words to tel...

In celebration of National Poetry Month, we hosted a gathering of poets on April 18, 2023, to share work inspired by their dementia experiences. We understand that storytelling, of any kind, but especially through poetry lightens burdens. For many caregivers, poetry can be a means of expression, of sharing their experience, opening hearts to joy, or drowning sorrows. Finding the right words to tel...

Cindy Weinstein is an English professor at the California Institute of Technology and the author of the award-winning Finding the Right Words: A Story of Literature, Grief, and the Brain , based on her experience with her father's early onset Alzheimer's in the 1980's. During her father's illness she was a graduate student at the University of California at Berkley, separated from her family in Fl...

Poetry, whether reading or writing it, can be a powerful tool to ease our dementia caregiving journey, allowing us to express our deepest emotions, unravel our confusion and angst, and learn from and understand others. Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN is the author of Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring , poems written when she became a nurse poet in the 1990's. Heartbreaking memories of los...

Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW, is the author of two books in the AlzAuthors collection. She came to us in 2016 with her book, Caring for a Husband with Dementia: The Ultimate Survival Guide, inspired by her experience counseling eight amazing caregiving women. Her second book, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, & Memory Loss: A Helpful Guide for Caregivers, was recently published and was featured on our blo...