The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Visiting a Loved One in Memory Care: Emotions, Adjustments, and Finding Joy Ken  shares what he has learned from five years of visiting his wife, Shana, in memory care, focusing on the emotions and common circumstances families face. He describes stages from the difficult move-in period—emotional shock, learning to live apart, guilt, shifting from full-tim...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Checking In After a Break: Grief, Support, and Shanna’s Ongoing Alzheimer’s Journey Host Ken Cardita returns to the Surviving Alzheimer’s Podcast after several months away to explain his absence and share personal updates from his 13-year caregiving journey with his wife, Shanna.  He describes ongoing grief and sadness over the past few months, beginning w...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Understanding Suffering in Alzheimer's Disease: A Caregiver's Perspective In episode 47 of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardina delves into the topic of suffering, specifically examining whether or not his wife Shanna, who has Alzheimer's, is suffering. Drawing from a poignant conversation with his daughter, Ken explores...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Overcoming Guilt and Cherishing Moments: A Caregiver's Summer Reflections Ken  shares heartfelt experiences from his summer, including celebrating his 45th wedding anniversary with his wife Shanna, who is battling Alzheimer's, Shanna's 65th birthday with her family, and a long overdue extended family vacation. Ken reflects on the emotional j...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Changes - Turn and Face the Strange In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken reflects on nine years of retirement and his experiences as the primary caregiver for his wife, Shanna, who has Alzheimer's disease. Ken shares the challenges they faced after his retirement in 2016, including moving to a new house and adjusting to...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast EP 44 Advocating for Your Loved One   Ken shares his story of advocating for his wife Shanna, who has been living with Alzheimer's disease. Ken details the timeline of when he took over her medical and financial decisions, highlighting important moments like setting up power of attorney, adjusting to challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and naviga...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast EP 43 Wondering Aloud - Lessons from Loss Ken discusses coping strategies amid the loss of three fellow residents, reassures caregivers on managing personal guilt, and emphasizes the importance of supporting others. He offers practical advice on self-care, finding joy, and using diverse activities to break monotony. The episode aims to educate and inspire...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Returning After a Break: Holiday Lessons and New Directions for 2025 In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardina returns after a three-month break to provide updates on his personal journey with his wife Shanna, who has Alzheimer's. Ken shares heartfelt moments of appreciation, his holiday experiences, the introduction...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast The Transformative Power of a Smile in Alzheimer's Care In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardita discusses the profound impact a simple smile can have on individuals with Alzheimer's, drawing from his experiences with his wife, Shanna, and other residents at her care facility. Ken shares touching stories of conn...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Five Lessons Learned from My Caregiving Journey In this episode, inspired by a listener's comment, Ken shares five crucial lessons he wishes he knew when he started his caregiving journey. These lessons include: stopping the urge to correct the loved one, letting go of guilt, recognizing that current struggles won't last forever, prioritizing sel...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Finding Hope Amidst Grief In this 39th episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardita reflects on a challenging year and a poignant two-year anniversary of the podcast coinciding with his 44th wedding anniversary to his wife, Shanna.  Ken candidly shares his experiences dealing with sadness and grief, the impact of stepping back from f...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Encouraging and Maintaining Friendships Amidst Alzheimer's Progression Ken  discusses the difficulties and importance of maintaining social connections for loved ones with dementia. Drawing from his own experiences with his wife, Shanna, Ken offers practical advice on easing the discomfort friends may feel and strategies to encourage continued visits....

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Reflecting on Three Years of Memory Care: Lessons and Growth Ken reflects on the three-year anniversary of moving his wife, Shanna, into memory care. Ken shares journal entries from his early caregiving days, detailing the emotional challenges, his journey toward understanding and coping, and the essential lessons learned.  He emphasizes the importance of...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Navigating Challenges in Memory Care: Ken's Journey with Shanna Ken shares his personal experiences dealing with his wife Shanna's increasingly challenging behaviors due to Alzheimer's disease. He recounts the struggles faced while Shanna was in a memory care facility, including incidents with staff and other residents that led to stress and...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Embracing Healing: Finding Joy Amidst Alzheimer's Journey Ken shares an introspective look into his personal healing journey as he navigates life with his wife Shanna, who has Alzheimer's disease.   Ken discusses the challenges of feeling stuck in his healing process and the impact of family interactions on his emotional well-being.  Through poig...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Handling Repeated Questions: Strategies for Caregivers Ken addresses the common challenge of dealing with loved ones' repeated questions, based on his 13-year experience caregiving for his wife Shanna. He explains why these questions occur, the emotional triggers for caregivers, and offers strategies for responding empathetically.  Ken also shares end...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Overcoming Caregiver Burnout: Accepting Help and Finding Peace Ken discusses the challenges of caregiving, the myth of doing it all alone, and the importance of accepting help to avoid caregiver burnout.  He recounts his own experiences of stubbornness and guilt, and how finally accepting assistance from family, friends, and professional caregivers transfo...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Reconnecting with a Loved One: A Caregiver's Journey Ken  shares his deeply personal journey of staying connected with his wife, Shanna, who is battling Alzheimer's disease.  Ken recounts the emotional challenges, key realizations, and profound experiences that have helped him see beyond the disease and reconnect with Shanna's true spirit. ...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Reflecting on Our First Year: Insights and Announcements In this milestone episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardita reflects on the past year, sharing personal insights and the positive impact the podcast has had.  Ken discusses his journey with his wife Shanna, who has Alzheimer's, and how he has found peace and joy amidst...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Managing and Preventing Wandering in Dementia Patients - Our Experiences Ken  discusses the common issue of wandering among dementia patients, sharing personal experiences and practical tips to manage and reduce the risks.  He gives insights into identifying early signs of wandering, preparing the home, utilizing tools like GPS trackers and medical alert b...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Healing our Triggers: The Parable of the Pool Ken Cardita shares a heartfelt story called 'The Parable of the Pool.' Ken recounts his journey of caring for his wife, Shanna, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2017. Despite initial resistance, Ken decides to build a pool for Shanna, honoring a promise he made 30 years ago.  Throughout the...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Understanding One-Way Conversations in Dementia: Communicating Beyond Words Ken shares how he has adapted to communicating with his non-verbal wife, Shanna, who has Alzheimer's disease.  Ken discusses the different stages of Shanna's verbal decline and reveals how he has learned to read her body language and facial expressions to maintain a deep...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast The Transformative Power of Music in Alzheimer's Care Ken discusses the transformative and restorative power of music in Alzheimer's care, drawing from his 12-year journey with his wife Shanna. Ken shares personal anecdotes about how music has helped him and Shanna stay connected, even amidst her battle with dementia.  He highlights the impact of...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast The Power of Support: Lessons from Joining a Caregiver Group Ken discusses the profound impact of participating in a caregiver support group. Drawing from his own experiences over two years with the 'Men Who Care' group, Ken shares the initial reluctance, the transformative first meetings, and the ongoing support and education he received.  He ta...

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Family Visits and Lessons Learned Ken recounts a recent visit from his wife Shanna's four sisters. Ken shares heartwarming stories, valuable lessons, and personal insights from this experience. He highlights the importance of family support, setting proper expectations, and being flexible during visits.  Additionally, Ken discusses the emotional journ...