Alzheimer's Thriver

Send us Fan Mail "Words From the Horse's Mouth" What does dignity really feel like for someone living with Alzheimer’s? In this episode, Janna and Larry share real-life moments where dignity can either be preserved—or unintentionally taken away. From being interrupted or rushed, to the power of eye contact and inclusion, this conversation offers practical, compassionate ways to prot...

Send us Fan Mail EPISODE 19 SHOW NOTES “Acceptance & Adjustments” Living with Alzheimer’s means facing changes you didn’t choose — and figuring out how to keep living well anyway. In this episode, Janna and Larry talk honestly (and with humor) about what it feels like to accept what’s changing and how small adjustments can make daily life calmer, safer, and more joyful. They explore how things...

Send us Fan Mail Alzheimer’s Thriver™  In this episode, Janna and Larry share recent changes in their Alzheimer’s journey — from slower mornings and occasional disorientation to accepting help with more peace and humor. They discuss how companionship, gentle support, post-surgery recovery, and small daily moments (like seeing children or laughing together) all shape their ongoing commitment to thr...

Send us Fan Mail “Each New Day, A New Page: Embracing Optimism While Living with Alzheimer’s” 📝 Show Notes for Episode 17: Embracing Inspiration and Optimism In this heartfelt episode, Janna, an Alzheimer's thriver, and her husband Larry share an intimate anniversary conversation that turns into something truly profound. Through reflections on memory, environment, and emotional overwhelm, Ja...

Send us Fan Mail “Afraid to Share the Diagnosis? How Janna Told Her Family and Took Back Her Voice”     Not sure when or how to tell loved ones about an Alzheimer’s diagnosis? You’re not alone. The early stage is often filled with confusion, self-doubt, and fear of being treated differently. But hiding it only makes things harder. In this powerful episode, Janna shares how she broke the news to he...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 15: Important Interruptions In this heartfelt episode, Janna and Larry explore the challenges and realities of conversational flow when memory loss and slower speech patterns are present. They discuss the tension and humor of being interrupted, how interruptions can feel both frustrating and necessary, and the ways they’ve learned to “embrace the lag” to stay connected in...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 14, Larry and Janna open up an honest and uplifting conversation about rediscovering self-esteem while living with memory challenges. Janna shares a breakthrough moment—realizing how often she viewed herself through loss (not being able to read, drive, or orient like before). Instead of staying in that place, she chooses to reframe her story: to see her intelligence, he...

Send us Fan Mail In this follow-up to Part 1, Janna and Larry continue their heartfelt conversation about the everyday realities of living—and thriving—with Alzheimer’s. While Part 1 focused on recognizing both the gains and losses that come along this journey, Part 2 digs deeper into an unexpected truth: sometimes help isn’t really help at all.  From hanging clothes to loading the dishwasher, the...

Send us Fan Mail Living with Alzheimer’s – Losses, Workarounds, and Unexpected Gifts  In this heartfelt and hopeful episode, Janna, a self-described “Alzheimer’s Thriver™,” and her husband Larry open up about their journey navigating the losses and surprising gains brought on by Alzheimer's disease. Together, they explore how humor, adaptation, gratitude, and love have helped them cope with c...

Send us Fan Mail Feel like your brain just isn’t keeping up? You’re not alone—and you’re not broken. For many living with Alzheimer’s, the toughest part isn’t memory loss itself—it’s the fear of losing your sense of self.    In this empowering episode, Janna shares how she’s using simple, creative strategies to keep her brain engaged and her spirit thriving. From playful crossword workarounds to r...

Send us Fan Mail When words don’t come out right — or aren’t received the way you hoped — it’s easy for conversations to spiral into arguments. And when Alzheimer’s is in the mix, it’s even harder.  In this honest and often humorous episode, Janna and Larry explore why communication can break down so quickly, even with the best intentions. They share real-life examples of misunderstandings, emotio...

Send us Fan Mail Giving up the keys is one of the hardest — and most emotional — steps for people living with Alzheimer’s. But it can also be one of the most important acts of self-awareness and courage.  In this powerful episode, Janna and Larry open up about the real story behind Janna’s decision to stop driving: the denial, the scary moments, the emotional fallout, and the deep pride that made...

Send us Fan Mail There’s no one-size-fits-all cure for Alzheimer’s—but could small shifts in food and movement help slow things down?  In this honest and hope-filled episode, Janna and Larry share what they’ve personally tried in the areas of diet and exercise, and how those changes have impacted Janna’s inflammation, energy, and daily outlook. From anti-inflammatory foods to brain-boosting walks,...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wake up and wonder where you are — or even who you are — for a few disorienting minutes? For those living with Alzheimer’s, that confusion can be a daily, unsettling experience. But it doesn’t have to lead to panic.  In this insightful episode, Janna and Larry open up about Janna’s experiences with disorientation after waking, and how she’s learned to respond with calm, patie...

Send us Fan Mail When Alzheimer’s hits, it’s easy to ask: Why me? Is there any meaning in the pain? In this moving episode, Janna opens up about how her faith has helped her move from despair to determination—not just to survive with Alzheimer’s, but to thrive. Joined by her husband Larry, the two explore tough spiritual questions, share the routines that keep Janna grounded, and reflect on how be...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like your brain just powers down as the day wears on? If late afternoons bring confusion, exhaustion, or deep sadness, you might be experiencing sundowning — a common but misunderstood Alzheimer's symptom. In this deeply relatable episode, Janna and Larry unpack what sundowning really feels like, how it affects your sense of self, and what practical habits can ease...

Send us Fan Mail If you've ever been given help  by a loved one — only to find they accidentally made things worse — you're not alone.  In this heartfelt episode, Janna and her husband Larry open up about the delicate balance between offering help and respecting independence. Through honest conversations and real-life examples, they share what it really feels like when “help” is not help...

Send us Fan Mail Getting diagnosed with Alzheimer's can feel like being placed on a fast-moving, unstoppable train — but what if there were real ways to slow it down?  In this honest and encouraging episode, Janna and her husband Larry share how simple but consistent habits — from mindful speech exercises to intentional movement — have helped Janna maintain her abilities and quality of life....

Send us Fan Mail The Alzheimer's Thriver Podcast - Words from the Horse’s Mouth Getting an Alzheimer's diagnosis can feel like your world is crashing down — but what if the story you're telling yourself is a barrier to thriving, even with Alzheimer’s? In this heartfelt first episode, Janna, a former teacher turned Alzheimer's thriver, shares her raw journey from denial and desp...