The Disappearing Mind Podcast

The holidays can be challenging for families dealing with dementia, but they don't have to be overwhelming. In this episode of The Disappearing Mind, host Dawn Platt unpacks expert strategies for transforming potential stress into moments of genuine connection. Discover how to use family photos, cherished recipes, and sensory memories to create joy during the festive season. Dawn shares personal i...

In this week's episode of The Disappearing Mind, Host Dawn Platt continues her holiday series with practical strategies for families navigating dementia during the festive season. She shares compassionate advice on reducing stress during holiday travel, creating dementia-friendly home environments, and preparing inclusive meals. From family interactions to holiday gathering tips, this episode offe...

In this week's episode of The Disappearing Mind, we kick off our all-new holiday series where Host Dawn Platt delves into the complexities of holiday celebrations for families affected by dementia. Through personal reflection and professional insights, she guides listeners through thoughtful strategies for gift-giving, family interactions, and emotional support. Drawing from Alzheimer's Associatio...

In this week's episode, host Dawn Platt tackles one of the most challenging decisions families face – choosing a memory care community for a loved one with dementia. With compassion and understanding, Dawn addresses the guilt many families experience while providing clear, practical guidance on evaluating care options. Drawing from her extensive experience in memory care development, she offers in...

In this episode, host Dawn Platt, tackles the emotional challenges families face when caring for a loved one with dementia. Through real questions from listeners, Dawn shares advice on handling family dynamics, communicating with extra care, and managing difficult behaviors. Her empathetic guidance provides a lifeline for those navigating the complexities of supporting someone with this devastatin...

This week, host Dawn Platt unpacks the emotional complexities of dementia care, exploring how dementia affects family relationships and stirs a wide range of emotions. Dawn offers guidance on navigating family dynamics and conflict, communicating with compassion, and managing challenging behaviors that can arise along the way.

In this week's episode, host Dawn Platt concludes her series on the four stages of understanding dementia with the final stage, "I'm preparing for." Dawn explores how to support your loved one in living well and dying with dignity, offering guidance on what to expect, the factors that may contribute to death, and how to manage grief. Tune in for practical advice on coping with this emotional stage...

In this week's episode, host Dawn Platt guides us through the third stage of understanding dementia, "I'm dealing with." She emphasizes the critical role of home safety, the need to have essential resources at your fingertips, and how to stay attuned to daily behavioral changes in your loved one. Join Dawn as she shares key strategies for managing this pivotal stage of dementia care to ensure you'...

In this week's episode, host Dawn Platt continues our journey through the four stages of understanding dementia. She explores the second stage, "I'm worried about," focusing on living well with dementia, managing legal and financial preparations, and planning for the future. Dawn also offers tips on researching your options to ensure you're prepared for the road ahead. Don’t miss this insightful d...

In this week's episode, we begin our journey through the four stages of understanding dementia. Dawn uncovers the first stage, "I'm thinking about," which focuses on staying well, prevention, and recognizing early signs of dementia. She discusses key actions to take control of during this stage, signs to watch for, and more. Don’t miss this deep dive into a crucial stage that could change how you...

In this week’s episode, host Dawn Platt introduces a new series she defines as “The Four Stages of Understanding Dementia.” She outlines each stage —"I'm thinking about,” “I'm worried about,” “I'm dealing with,” and “I'm planning for” — and discusses the key role of preventative health throughout the journey. Dawn also touches on the importance of staying healthy and the role of preventative medic...

In this week’s Quick Cast, host Dawn Platt delves into the Mayo Clinic’s research on dementia. She explores topics like the clinic’s definition of dementia, its causes, and dementia symptoms that can be reversed. Tune in to hear Dawn break down the research and share key insights in this informative episode!

In this week’s episode, host Dawn Platt dives into the essential facts about dementia, drawing from expert insights on WebMD. Dawn explores what dementia is, the critical differences between dementia and Alzheimer’s, and shares eye-opening statistics about how this condition impacts individuals and families worldwide. She also touches on the various causes and types of dementia, offering listeners...

As dementia progresses, it can be difficult to know when your loved one needs extra care. In this week's Quick Cast, host Dawn Platt discusses how to recognize the signs that it might be time to seek additional support and what to consider when making this important decision.

In this week’s powerful episode, Dawn sits down with Rachel Conant, Senior Vice President of Public Policy for the Alzheimer’s Association and Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement. Together, they explore the recent bipartisan bill that secured an additional $100 million in Alzheimer’s research funding for the NIH, the Association’s pivotal role in shaping healthcare and legislatio...

In this week's episode, host Dawn Platt discusses how to build and maintain strong relationships with loved ones facing dementia. She provides practical advice on navigating the unique challenges that come with the condition, focusing on patience, empathy, and communication. Dawn also shares five actionable tips to help nurture and grow your connection with your loved one as they journey through d...

In this week's Quick Cast episode, Dawn dives deeper into the ongoing discussion about the subtle signs of aging that could be early indicators of dementia. She sheds light on what to look out for and offers insights on how to differentiate between normal aging and potential red flags. Tune in for an informative and eye-opening conversation that aims to bring awareness to this important topic.

In this week’s episode, Dawn revisits the essentials of understanding dementia, focusing on 10 early signs that may signal the onset of the disease. Drawing on insights from the Alzheimer’s Association, she thoughtfully guides listeners through each sign, helping distinguish between what might be considered normal aging versus potential dementia indicators. Don’t miss this insightful discussion—tu...

In this week’s episode, Host Dawn Platt explores the challenges of life when your spouse is diagnosed with dementia. She shares tips on managing your evolving household, practicing self-care as a caregiver, and navigating common obstacles in this journey. Tune in for an insightful and supportive discussion.

In this week's episode, Host Dawn Platt pays tribute to her mother, Betty, who recently passed away. Dawn discusses Betty's long journey with dementia, highlighting the challenges of the long goodbye and sharing strategies for dealing with emotional fatigue. Join Dawn for an honest and heartfelt conversation about love, loss, and resilience.

In this week's new episode, Dawn delves into the early signs of dementia, sharing real stories and addressing questions from listeners who have loved ones affected by this condition. Join us as we explore personal experiences and gain valuable insights into recognizing and understanding the early stages of dementia.

In this week's episode, we wrap up our insightful series on navigating dementia, living well, and thriving. Dawn dives into the vital topic of getting a diagnosis, explaining when it’s the right time to seek one and the risk factors and symptoms that may impact mental sharpness. She discusses the importance of recognizing when memory loss is a sign of dementia and offers her thoughts on the role o...

Welcome back to our series on navigating dementia with a focus on living well and thriving. In this week's episode, host Dawn Platt explores the multifaceted meaning of living well after a dementia diagnosis, emphasizing the vital importance it holds for individuals starting this new journey. Dawn discusses how to achieve personal fulfillment despite cognitive challenges and presents compelling st...

Welcome to the first episode of our exciting new three-part series on living well and thriving with dementia. In today's episode, Dawn delves into the profound meaning of living well with dementia, sharing compelling stories that highlight the importance of preserving individuality and independence for those affected. Dawn also provides valuable insights on how to cultivate a supportive and enrich...

Join us for this week's new episode as we reconnect with Melissa, Dawn's close friend, to delve deeper into her family's journey with dementia. Melissa shares poignant stories about the early signs that hinted at her father's condition, the challenging process of securing a diagnosis, and the complex responsibilities of caring for both her parents when her mom went from primary caregiver to also n...