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 o…
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…
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 wander…
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, …
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. …
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…
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 fami…
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 ha…
"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 …
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 essenti…
Capgras syndrome is the delusion (false belief) that one's family have been replaced by duplicates...by imposters.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…
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 …
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 Dementi…
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 type…
“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 du…
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 …
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 …
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 pod…
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. Carin…
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 ti…
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. L…
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 (…
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 care…
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, …
