Love Conquers Alz

Elopement usually conjures up visions of secret excursions or maybe even the Elvis Chapel in Las Vegas. But elopement is also used to describe what happens when someone with dementia or cognitive loss leaves a safe area, such as a home or care facility, without supervision or awareness of the potential dangers.  In dementia care facilities, it is a heartbreaking reality that needs urgent attention...

In honor of Residents’ Rights Month, Don and I, along with our special guest-host, Producer Rick Mountcastle, the former US attorney famed for his role in the Purdue Pharma case,  are highlighting the importance of listening to residents who live in our country’s nursing homes, assisted living and board and care facilities. In episode 96, our guest, AARON ADAMS, helps us explore the emotional laby...

How can a system meant to care for our most vulnerable turn into our worst nightmare? Join us as we kick off a special series of Love Conquers Alz episodes, inspired by our soon-to-be-released documentary, "No Country for Old People." We’re honored to have Rick Mountcastle, former U.S. attorney and co-producer of our documentary, with us. Rick offers his eye-opening experiences prosecuti...

What if the shift towards for-profit hospice care models is compromising the quality of your loved one's final days? In this episode, Don and I have a robust conversation on hospice with Penny Hawkins Smith , BSN, RN, CHPN.  Hospice Nurse Penny , as she is known to her millions of social media followers, is a nationally certified hospice and palliative care registered nurse with over 17 years...

Can human connection and dignity survive in a profit-driven healthcare system? On this episode of "Love Conquers Alz," we are joined by the talented artist and filmmaker Teace Snyder, who introduces his thought-provoking film " Hold Me ." The film explores the emotionally charged and controversial topic of voluntary euthanasia, focusing on a woman whose job is to comfort indivi...

In Episode 92, Don and I talked with three prolific writers who have made profound literary  contributions to the Dementia community and now pooled their talents and love of poetry to launch a beautiful anthology, “ Poetry For the Dementia Journey ”, that sprung from an online event featuring over 30 poets. (This just may be one of my favorite episodes!!) Marianne Sciucco is not a (dementia) nurse...

Comedian/Filmmaker/Caregiver HEATHER FINK came to filmmaking from comedy.  She has been making funny videos since she was a kid growing up in small town New Jersey. After earning a Philosophy degree from The George Washington University, she began NYU's Grad Film program as Writer/Director.  Heather has gone on to direct over 35 comedy short and has been featured on MTV, Dr. Phil, TV Guide Ma...

SEASON 9 Premiere! Episode 90 features our esteemed guest, Dr. Ethelle Lord, is an author, practitioner, educator, management coach, presenter, mother and grandmother, and a pioneer in the containment of dementia.      Spending 21 years in the care of her husband Larry, living with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s truly motivated Dr. Lord's career path as a Global Dementia Care Shape and the...

“I’m a lawyer by trade, politician by practice, and an academic by accident.”   These are the musings of the remarkable, and I have to say, charming, Max Sherman .    In Episode 89, we interviewed a young and energetic 89 years old, Max Sherman. Max's  life has been significantly influenced by women. But one in particular has shaped who he is today. In 1953 Max was among 4 high school boys co...

Heeeeeeee’s back! And Don and I couldn’t be happier!  Our dear friend and “Senior Care Influencer”, Lance A. Slatton is not only a Writer, Author, and Healthcare professional with over 20 years in the healthcare industry…he is a number one class act and all around nice guy! Oh, and he is also the busiest person I have ever met! I thought I was juggling. Nope. Apparently not. ;) In case you’re not...

📣 New Love Conquers Alz Episode #87 ! Don Priess and I were so excited to talk to Christina ‘n Cindy Hardin-Weiss WEISS (https://adaptiveequipmentcorner.com), the founders of Adaptive Equipment and Caregiving Corner, IMHO - THE best place to go for educational and instructional videos and home medical equipment product reviews for professional caregivers, families caring for a loved one, and olde...

Advocate. Leader. Caregiver. Jenny Abeling is dedicated to helping those in need, through the complexities of long-term care. Currently she is the Governor’s Commissioner on Senior Services, working tirelessly to raise up senior related needs across the State of Oregon.   Formerly the Essential Worker Healthcare Trust Director, Jenny led a first in the nation approach to lift Long -Term Care worke...

Don and I both agree that Episode 85 (wow!), ranks as one of our favorites to date. Our amazing guest, Dr. Mitchell Clionsky is a board certified neuropsychologist with more than 30 years of clinical experience and has treated more than 20,000 patients with cognitive problems. Dr. Clionsky understands the toll of memory disorders as both a caring professional and as the son of his mother Muriel, w...

If you don't know  the preeminent caregiving champion, Christina Keys, you're in for a valuable treat! Christina was living her best life, enjoying a successful career, she was financially and spiritually healthy and happy -  when in 2013 her beloved mother suffered a devastating stroke and was given a 1% chance to live. In a blink of an eye Christina went from care-free career woman to...

In Episode 83, Don and I had a heartfelt and informative conversation with Dr. George Ackerman who started the movement Together for Sharon to honor his late mother Sharon Riff Ackerman, who succumbed to complications from Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease on January 1, 2020. George is an absolutely  tireless #advocate for those who suffer with PD and their families and has an...

In Episode 82, Don and I had a fantastic conversation (no surprise) with  UK’s own PIPPA KELLY . Author, podcast host, award-winning blogger, contributor to numerous national newspapers and magazines, Pippa has truly made a name for herself in the dementia and elder care universe. It was Pippa’s own personal journey with her mother, who battled vascular dementia for 10 years, that shaped her creat...

My co-host , Don, and I have been blessed with so many amazing guests, but truth be told, our 81st guest, Mary Lou Falcone , ranks as one of our very favorites!! We fell in love with this EXTRAORDINARY woman and we have no doubt you will, too. For over 50 years, Mary  helped guide the careers of celebrated artists – Van Cliburn, Gustavo Dudamel, Renée Fleming, Sir Georg Solti, James Taylor – and a...

Season 8 kicks off with episode 80 - a MUST LISTEN to show featuring JACKLYN RYAN - a sought-after speaker, consultant, workshop presenter, and best-selling author of the gut-wrenching book, “ CareGivers, ScareTakers - Exposing Fraud In Senior Care ”. With an aging population, families are struggling with dependable, trusted care. This process is riddled with problems. What can adult children do t...

In Episode 79, my co-host, Don Priess, and I had an enlightening conversation with Stephan Jackman, the CEO of Alzamend Neuro, a clinical stage biotech company committed to “Making Alzheimer’s Just a Memory™.”  Stephan shared information about the new lithium-based drug that offers Alzheimer's patients hope. Stephan is laser focused on his mission to rapidly develop and market safe and effect...

In episode 78, Don and I had a fantastic conversation with the warm-hearted and incredibly delightful, Maria Kent Beers.  Maria, along with her partner, Rachael Martinez, is the co-founder and co-host of the Remember Me Podcast + Community . Maria has always had a love of radio and editing, receiving a TV Production Degree from Boston University where she was a host of BU In The Morning Radio Show...

My co-host, Don Priess, and I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with, Ashton Applewhite ,  the internationally acclaimed spokesperson for the emerging movement to raise awareness of ageism and to dismantle it.  A co-founder of the Old School Anti-Ageism Clearinghouse, she has been recognized by the New York Times , The New Yorker , National Public Radio , and the American Society on Aging as a...

“ Anything is possible if you have the desire and passion to make it happen .” That is the mantra of our Episode 76 guest, Lance A. Slatton. Tirelessly dedicated to giving back, Lance has become a standout in the healthcare industry. A native of Michigan, he is a Senior Case Manager at Enriched Life Home Care Services , a leading care provider. His wealth of knowledge and experience, along with hi...

If you have ever wondered just what the role of Adult Protective Services truly is, when should you contact them, what kinds of investigations they make, and how much power do they actually have when it comes to protecting your loved one or any vulnerable adult, then this is required listening! (Even if you have never wondered, I recommend this show!)    My co-host, Don Priess, and I had an incred...

In Episode 74, Don Priess and I had an incredible conversation withTerri Pease, Ph. D., an Author, Coach, and Consultant for Spousal Caregivers. As a highly experienced professional in the social services and healthcare industries, Terri has dedicated her working life to encouraging Parkinson's caregivers, to make self-care real, practical, and possible. But really, the same applies to almost...

Meet the Founders of AlzAuthors ! In episode 73, my co-host, Don Priess , and I had the unique pleasure of speaking with the three co-founders of AlzAuthors.com. In 2016, our guests, Marianne Sciucco , Jean Lee , and Vicki Tapia , founded the non-profit AlzAuthors.com, a global community of over 300 writers who are writing all about dementia from their personal experience. This ever-growing global...