Make Dementia Your B*tch!

In this episode, I want to address a topic that can be uncomfortable: sexual behavior in people living with dementia. Sometimes, an aging parent with dementia may make overtures to an adult child of the opposite gender. I explain how this is a case of "mistaken identity" and how to prevent it. There are times when the person living with dementia wants sexual activity, but the spouse, for a variety...

In today’s episode, I describe two subtypes of frontotemporal dementia: nonfluent variant primary progressive aphasia and semantic variant primary progressive aphasias. Unlike behavioral variant FTD, people with either one of the primary progressive aphasias have problems speaking as the initial symptom. These problems are followed later by memory and behavioral problems. Other resources: New! 5 W...

People living with dementia can respond to our own emotions and energy. In this podcast, I talk about ways to keep your energy, your "vibe," high and positive to avoid triggering some behaviors. I know this is going to sound new-agey and "woo woo," but listen to the podcast and see if some of these things may be happening in your caregiving situation.  New! 5 Ways to help People living with d...

Twenty percent of people living with dementia engage in wandering behavior. Learn how to prevent wandering behavior, plans to have in place in case it happens, and what to do should your loved one living with dementia wanders away from home. Here is the link for the Alzheimer’s Association wander resources section: https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors/wandering Other resour...

In today’s podcast, I want to recognize the challenges faced by employed care partners and share potential resources to help with these challenges. Here are the resources I mentioned in this podcast episode: In some states, Medicaid programs pay family members to provide care to persons with dementia, as long as certain criteria are met. There is a program for veterans that also provides payment t...

Caring for a spouse who is living with dementia has its own unique challenges. In this episode, Dr. Gloria Lee--a clinical psychologist based in Vancouver, Canada--shares advice on handling guilt, anger, and depression. Dr. Lee specializes in relationships and has helped many spousal caregivers of people living with dementia. Visit her website. Join me on July 14 2022 at 6 pm central US time to ce...

Does this feel familiar: “I quit my job to care for him, but he never appreciates anything I do.” Do you find yourself thinking, “Why is she so mean to me? Can’t she see I’m trying to help her?” Are you asking yourself, “How do I handle the stubbornness? It feels like I’m fighting all of the time.” You are not alone. One of my colleagues calls these behaviors “Dementia S&M”—stubborn and mean....

In today's episode, I answer listener's questions: Can a facility refuse to accept my family member with dementia who has dementia-related behaviors, like refusing medication? How do I remove incontinence briefs when my family member fights with me? What should I do when my loved one with dementia suddenly becomes more confused and combative? Click here for my monthly webinar schedule. The webinar...

Some people living with dementia will only accept care from ONE family member...and no one else! If you are that family member, and you are drowning in care needs, and you are trying to figure out how to bring in help...I have some strategies for you!  My “Confident & Competent Dementia Caregiving Program” is accepting registrations until Tuesday, June 7 at midnight central time. This pro...

"Don't piss on my head and tell me it's rain." I don't like being lied to, even if you think the lie is sparing my feelings. I used to lie to people living with dementia because I thought it was kind...until I got caught in a lie. I also felt very fake. Feeling fake can mess up your vibes and increase the behaviors. In this episode, I dive deeper into one of my favorite strategies, "Entering Their...

The time to start considering placement options is when you do not need these options in the immediate future. However, if you are think placement may be a possibility, this is the podcast that helps you sort out one essential question: an assisted living facility or a nursing home? Learn the difference between the two, which one Medicare and Medicaid may pay for, and important policies to know ab...

Capgras syndrome is the delusion (false belief) that one's family have been replaced by duplicates...by imposters. Capgras syndrome is seen most frequently in people living with Lewy Body dementia but can also occur in other dementias. The breakdown of specific parts of the temporal lobes, occipital lobes, and limbic system connections are thought to be the culprits. Learn more about Capgras and s...

In this episode, I answer the question, "How do I visit my family member who doesn’t seem to know that I’m even there? Or who doesn’t even know who I am?” As dementia deepens and your family member communicates less, it may seem as if your visits don't matter. I think they do! Tune in for concrete approaches to having a great visit with your loved one, even in the moderate, moderately severe, and...

Learn some approaches to delusional behavior in this podcast, including a really unique approach to someone who thinks there food is being poisoned! My book, " Make Dementia Your B*tch! An Easy Guide to Understanding Dementia-related Behaviors " is now available on Amazon!   Order it here. Love the podcast? Want to stay in the loop and snag information about free stuff and other offers in the...

Delusions are defined as "false beliefs," but these beliefs feel VERY real to people living with dementia. In this episode, I explain how delusions are different from hallucinations and illusions. I explain the 3 common types of delusions that you may encounter caring for a person living with dementia: persecutory (paranoid), jealousy, and scarcity. This content will help you develop strategies to...

“Is it safe for me to leave my loved one with dementia alone?” This question popped up as I was working on a piece about caregiver self-care. Dementia caregivers constantly ask me “How do I take time for myself if I’m ‘on duty’ or ‘on call’ 24/7?” Most dementia caregivers know they need to take care of themselves, but they find themselves last on their lists because the needs of their loved ones s...

There is this belief that "good" caregivers keep their loved one living with dementia at home and "bad" caregivers move their loved one into care--into assisted living facilities, memory care units, nursing homes, etc.  This belief is f*cking bullsh*t. There are many reasons why home care may not be the safest situation, both for the caregiver and the person living with dementia. I talk about...

This episode is all about you, awesome caregivers!!! In this episode, I talk about common sources of dementia caregiver guilt, anxiety, and fear. As usual, I do more than talk about it--I provide some strategies for kicking these unhelpful feelings to the curb. I describe "good-enough caregiving" as a realistic way to approach those nagging thoughts around "Did I do everything I could to make them...

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a type of neurodegenerative disease that includes ongoing and worsening problems with memory. CTE has been depicted in movies and television episodes--but not accurately. In this podcast, Dr. Jablonski explains CTE and describes how it is like Alzheimer's dementia and how it is different. She also explains the confusion around traumatic brain injuries, CTE...

Teens caring for parents living with dementia may feel alone and isolated. In today's podcast, I reach out to this segment of my audience. The resources for teens is geared to those teens caring for their grandparents. Caring for a parent with dementia is much different than caring for a grandparent. I provide explanations for some of the behaviors and helpful strategies for communicating with a p...

I answer a question from a listener about the need to relocate a family member living with dementia across the US. Air travel with someone who has moderate or moderately severe dementia is a daunting challenge. Listen for tips to make air travel easier. MDYB Podcast Challenge Ends Friday, March 11 5 pm CT!! · Rate and review my podcast on your favorite platform · E-mail me a screenshot before Frid...

I dive deep into four general categories of medications that are often prescribed for people living with dementia: antidepressants, mood stabilizers,  benzodiazepines (spoiler alert--not a good option), and antipsychotics. Learn why these medications are prescribed and what problems may happen when your family member takes them. This information is for educational use only. Consult your healt...

People living with dementia are prescribed different medications along the dementia journey. Two categories of medications are commonly prescribed at the beginning and middle of the journey: acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (like Aricept) and memantine. In this episode, I explain how these medications work, when they are usually prescribed, and if (or when) they can be stopped.  WANT A FREE CO...

Many caregivers agonize over the decision to place their loved one living with dementia into a memory care facility. This is a very difficult and personal decision. When you are ready to cross that bridge, make sure you carefully evaluate the facility. Here are 5 very important questions to ask, and which responses indicate a quality facility or a problematic one. Frustrated with care refusals? Go...

Sun downing--a period of seemingly increased confusion and agitation that may occur in the afternoon/evening but can occur at any time--is a behavioral symptom of distress. Sun downing, like many dementia-related behaviors, is treated like "just one of those things." Like an inevitable behavior that caregivers just have to put up with. I disagree. Having dementia does not alter physical, emotional...