Love Conquers Alz

Wander (verb) - To walk or move in an aimless way. Wandering is an all-too-common behavior amongst people with dementia, Autism spectrum disorder, and Down syndrome, and are a huge fear for those concerned for their safety and well-being. A person's failing memory and declining ability to communicate can make it impossible for them to remember or explain the reason they wandered. In episode 4...

IN EPISODE 46 - Don and I had an absolutely inspiring conversation with Jackie Goldberg , also known as the Pink Lady. Pink is 89 years young   - and I don’t say that lightly.  Pink is a teacher, actor, author, and toastmaster. For over 40 years, she was in the fashion industry as a Womens’ Wear marketing & sales rep. At age 70, she developed a series of seminars called, “Get Up, Get Out, &amp...

In Episode 45, Don and I have an absolutely dynamic conversation with Elizabeth Miller, a CCC (Certified Caregiver Consultant) and HHHCP (Host of the Happy Healthy Caregiver Podcast), an incredible aesthetic (check out her branding ... it's gorgeous!),  and just all around WW (wonderful Woman! If you are not familiar with her then throw on your EarPods and enjoy!! Yes, of course, we discuss t...

In Episode 44,  Don and I had a candid conversation with Jennifer Fink -   Founder and Host of Fading Memories Podcast - about a topic that doesn't  seem to get as much attention as it should. Personal hygiene and our loved ones. As Alzheimer's progresses, poor hygiene can become an issue: people living with dementia (PLWD) often refuse to bathe and even change their clothes.  It can eve...

In our Season Three Premiere (wow!!), Episode 43,  Don and I talked with the force that is Marianne Sciucco -a registered nurse who's cared for hundreds of dementia patients over a 20-year career.  Her novel, Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s Love Story , is based on a couple she met through her work and is a testament to the power of love in the face of this heart wrenching disease. Marianne’s...

In Episode 42, Don and I spoke with Swedish Caregiver, Patrick Berglund,  We "met" this angel after he watched our film, My Mom and The Girl , and reached out through social media to tell us how much he enjoyed it. And we have been friends ever since. I have always been  struck by Patrick's dedication to caregiving and the pure joy it gives him.  I found it fascinating and beautiful...

In episode 41, Don and I spoke to the absolutely delightful and dynamic Kennedy Loftin, Chief Development Officer at the Montrose Center , one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ resource centers . Kennedy led the $26.5 million campaign to build The Law Harrington Senior Living Center , the nation’s largest, LGBTQ affirming senior housing center that opened on June 24, 2021. In response to Hurricane Ha...

While our population lives longer... caregivers get younger. More millennials are becoming caregivers in their 20s and 30s. Of the over 40 million caregivers in the United States, one-fourth of them are millennials.  Like the incredible Lauren Dykovitz. Lauren Dykovitz knew nothing about Alzheimer’s when her mother was diagnosed at the age of 62.  She was only 25 years old at the time.  By the tim...

In celebration of Pride Month 2021, we had the honor of speaking with Chris MacLellan, author of "What's The Deal With Caregiving?" .   Christopher and his partner, Richard Schiffer,  were featured in a 2015 Pulitzer Prize-nominated caregiving story "In Sickness and Health; A Couple's Final Journey" , that chronicled their journey of caregiving.  The story told of the...

In Episode 38, Don and I speak with the incredibly inspirational, ANTHONY COPELAND PARKER. When Tony and his partner, Catherine Elizabeth Popp, were in their 50’s, they found that he needed a heart-valve replacement, and she had early-onset Alzheimer’s. They both had a history as endurance athletes, so their reaction to the news was to sell their home, retire from their jobs, and become nomads, ru...

In Episode 37, Don and I have a fantastic conversation with DAN JAWORSKI - whose diagnosis a year and a half ago of Mild Cognitive Impairment hasn't slowed down him down one bit! Dan is currently training for the 2021 Kona Ironman World Championship!  Dan's philosophy on life and how he chooses to embrace his challenges. Dan is gifted with an enormous amount of inspiration and empowermen...

In episode 36, we had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Judy Cornish , author, founder of the Dementia & Alzheimer’s Wellbeing Network ( DAWN®), creator of the DAWN Method® of dementia care, and a retired elder law attorney.  Judy is a maverick in the caregiving community and I hope you will take the time to listen and take notes! We could have talked for, at least, another 2 days!! Her t...

In EP 35,  we spoke with  Marisa Pasquini, an international educator for caregivers who serve people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. She has spent the last 12 years developing strategies that help caregivers survive the challenges of caring for people with dementia. She takes an empathic approach in assessing the needs of clients with dementia and teaches caregiving skills that allow the caregiver...

Susanne White is the Founder of Caregiver Warrior and the author of the "Caregiver’s Little Guide to Survival!" and has found the most happiness in sharing her knowledge, wisdom, and experience as a Caregiver. She wants Caregivers to survive what she calls "this amazing roller coaster of a ride and be open to scream, cry, laugh, and finally arrive home after the ride of your lifetim...

Joey Paul Jensen is an award winning Casting Director, Movie Producer, Acting Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Peak Performance coach.  She also is a devoted caregiver who knows first -hand that miracles can and DO happen! Joey has been a driving force working with talent in Hollywood for over 20 years. She is a BFA graduate of Disney’s Cal ARTS.  She has appeared as a speaker on Dr. Phil, E Enter...

The Bob and Diane Fund is an annual grant for visual storytellers—about Alzheimer's and dementia. The 501(c) organization was founded by Gina Martin, a longtime National Geographic photo representative for their photo agency. Gina is committed to finding a cure for Alzheimer's and dementia. This is the 5th year of the Bob & Diane Fund.  They support photographers who are working on s...

Darren Crombie is the founder of Upstream Health and lead for Team Bridgit. He has experience in building teams and start-ups to deliver technology and health innovation, with a focus on improving social outcomes. Prior to founding Upstream, he managed a care team responsible for looking after an amazing group of patients in Manchester, where he learnt a lot about the gap in health technology for...

In Episode 30,  Max Goldman , a startup entrepreneur and tech industry veteran, has a message: " To the 45 million of you caring, coordinating and contributing to a loved one’s daily money matters: you are not alone." The Problem To understand why we are here, call a bank and ask literally any question that would help you understand or protect your parents’ financial activity. If making...

Episode 29:  If you have parents, you need to listen to the week's episode with  Cameron Huddleston ,  who shares how caregivers - or anybody -  can learn to confidently face the "F" word... FINANCE!!! Cameron Huddleston is an award-winning journalist with nearly 20 years of experience writing about personal finance. Her work has appeared in Forbes, Kiplinger's Personal Finance...

Episode 28:   Senator Monique Limón was elected to the Senate in November 2020 and represents the 19th Senate district, which includes the County of Santa Barbara. Her election makes her the second woman and first Latina to be elected to represent Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties in the State Senate. Her focuses include health, women, consumer protection, natural disasters, and Alzheimer’s Aware...

Episode 27:  Rick Lauber is a professional freelance writer with a sizable portfolio. He began his writing career after pursuing radio broadcasting, bartending, and marketing/public relations. Outside of writing, he continues to work part-time, travel to the mountains as often as possible, and cheer on the Edmonton Eskimos. Rick is also a former co-caregiver for both of his aging parents (his moth...

Episode 26: In 2002, Trish Laub was told that her father was being treated for Alzheimer’s. Trish and her husband moved from suburban Chicago to the Denver area in 2012 not only to enjoy the beautiful mountains but also to be closer to her parents.  With her abundant expertise, Trish has created Comfort in their Journey. Her award winning Comfort in Their Journey book series ( A Most Meaningful Li...

Episode 25 Don't wait to advocate!   Nancy Daly is a successful Actor/Playwright/Voice Over Artist, but she says her greatest achievement is as the Founder and National Team Captain of Actors & Artists Unite to End Alz, a National Team for the Walk to end Alzheimer’s sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association. Actors & Artists Unite is the only non-corporate, grass roots National Team a...

Episode 24:  The Power of the Human - Horse Connection. Connected Horse offers human-animal connection, engagement and understanding through its innovative workshops and research which encourage and support individuals living with dementia diagnoses, care partners and professionals. Our work is solely focused on the relationship between people and horses. Through our equine-guided workshops, we ar...

Episode 23: Staying healthy means staying ACTIVE!  This is especially true for seniors. And Shememe Williams has created a portal with all the resources you need to help yourself or your loved one maintain a quality of life. Don’t miss this episode! Shememe Williams (pronounced Shu mem) is the CEO and Founder of My Active Senior LLC (MAS). My Active Senior is an online senior service marketplace l...