Creating a Relationship Contract for the Dementia Journey with Debra Hallisey
Feb 05, 2025 12:01 am
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Hello ,
We're thrilled to share the latest episode of the Untangling Alzheimer's and Dementia podcast, featuring an insightful conversation with Debra Hallisey, author of A Relationship Contract for Dementia Caregivers. If you're involved in caregiving or interested in the world of Alzheimer's and dementia, this is a must-listen!
Join us as Debra shares her journey from the corporate world to becoming a dedicated caregiver to her mother, and then a caregiver advocate, offering invaluable insights and practical advice for caregivers at every stage.
Here are three key takeaways for you:
πΉ Redefining Relationships: Debra discusses the importance of renegotiating unspoken relationship contracts, especially within families. This approach can provide practical tools beyond emotional responses, offering clarity and support in caregiving roles.
πΉ Addressing Grief: Caregivers often experience anticipatory grief and ambiguous loss. Debra emphasizes the significance of acknowledging and expressing these feelings to improve the caregiving experience and emotional well-being of both the caregiver and the person with dementia.
πΉ Setting Boundaries: Establishing personal boundaries and effective communication are crucial in managing caregiving responsibilities. Debra shares valuable advice on maintaining self-care and asserting boundaries, even within complex family dynamics.
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In Case You Missed It . . .
Dive into "Dual Diagnosis: When Both Parents Have Dementia at the Same Time." This emotionally resonant discussion, featuring panelists Christy Byrne Yates, Frank Silverstein, Jean Lee, and Vicki Tapia, explores the intricate and often heartbreaking journey of caring for two parents who have dementia together. The episode is packed with heartfelt stories, practical advice, and a shared commitment to empowering caregivers everywhere. As always, our mission is to foster community and support those touched by dementia, and we hope this episode offers both comfort and inspiration.
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Our Next AlzAuthors Live! Event
If you're like most caregivers, you may have stumbled into your care journey with little to no warning or preparation. At its onset, you may have thought it a temporary situation, maybe a few weeks or months, perhaps a year. Or two. And then it stretches on, until a decade (or more) has passed and you're still caregiving. This is The Long Haul, and it's filled with its own set of challenges and concerns: emotional, physical, social, and financial.
Please join us for our next AlzAuthors Live! The Long Haul: The Impact of Long-Term Dementia Caregiving will be an enlightening discussion on the long-term impacts of caregiving with Jean Lee, (Alzheimer's Daughter), Loretta Woodward Veney (Being My Mom's Mom), Ann Campanella (Motherhood Lost and Found), and Dave Iverson (Winter Stars: An Elderly Mother, an Aging Son and Lifeβs Final Journey) on Tuesday, February 18th at 2 pm EST via Zoom. Moderated by Marianne Sciucco and Christy Byrne Yates. This event will be published on our podcast and YouTube Channel on March 15th as part of Podcasthon, a global initiative of 1,500+ podcasts to raise awareness and funds benefiting just as many charitable organizations. RSVP below to get the Zoom link.
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Coming Up on the Book Club
Please join us for a discussion of Susan Landeis' memoir, In Search of Rainbows: A Daughter's Story of Loss, Hope and Redemption, February 25th at 2 pm EST via Zoom.
Description: Susan always knew her relationship with her mother was different from that of other mothers and daughters. As a young girl, she struggled to cope with her mother's unpredictable behavior, rejection, and abandonment. At the age of sixteen, she left home and put it all behind her. Years later, her mother was diagnosed with a devastating illness, and Susan was suddenly faced with the difficult decision to care for both of her parents. In this inspiring, soul-searching memoir, Susan tells the story of a troubled childhood, her struggles as an adult, and her determination to find peace with her mother before it's too late. After her mother's death, Susan confronted a haunting past to seek answers and break the chain of dysfunction in her family. Accompany Susan on her healing journey as she comes full circle with a family legacy and discovers compassion, forgiveness, and faith in her own future.
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Take a Chance on Our 10th Anniversary Book Giveaway!
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ο»Ώ2025 Books & Chit Chat, Podcasts, and AlzAuthors Live! Virtual Events
2/18 - AlzAuthors Live! The Long Haul: The Impact of Long-Term Dementia Caregiving, a virtual Q&A with Jean Lee, Ann Campanella, Dave Iverson, and Loretta Woodward Veney
2/19 - Replay of Books & Chit Chat with Mary Crescenzo on podcast and YouTube
2/25 - Books & Chit Chat with Susan Landeis, In Search of Rainbows: a daughterβs story of loss, hope, and redemption, a caring for mother memoir
3/5 - NEW AUTHOR: Marilyn Raichle, Donβt Walk Away: A Care Partnerβs Journey
3/15 - PODCASTHON: Replay of The Long Haul: The Impact of Long-Term Dementia Caregiving
3/19 - Replay of Books & Chit Chat with Susan Landeis on podcast and YouTube
3/25 - Books & Chit Chat with Debra Tann, Ed.D, The Race of Dementia, a caregiver guide
4/2 - NEW AUTHOR: David Bredbenner, Going Home, A Journey with Dementia
4/22 - Books & Chit Chat with Marita Golden. The Wide Circumference of Love, a novel
4/29 - AlzAuthors Live!: National Poetry Month Virtual Poetry Reading
5/7 - NEW AUTHOR: Carol Steinberg, Come Grandpa Meow, Letβs Fly, an illustrated children's book
5/27 - Books & Chit Chat with Peter Berry and Deb Bunt, Slow Puncture: Living Well with Dementia, a memoir, and Walk With Me: Musing Through the Dementia Fog, poetry
6/4 - NEW AUTHOR: TBA
6/24 - Books & Chit Chat with Jean Lee, Alzheimerβs Daughter, a caring for two parents memoir
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Nanaβs Books Foundation Hosts Webinar
Join Dennis Dulniak, a dedicated advocate and caregiver, as he shares insights on supporting people living with dementia and Alzheimerβs. Dennis' experience includes leading a Men's Caregiver Group, founding the Nanaβs Books Foundation, and launching Central Florida Dementia-Friendly Dining. Join Dennis to learn how to empower your community to be more inclusive of both those living with cognitive diseases and their caregivers.
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Dementia Spring Foundation Announces 2024 Award Recipients
Dementia Spring supports visual and performing artists who raise awareness about dementia, and inspire creativity in people living with dementia and Alzheimerβs Disease. The Dementia Spring Foundation is delighted to announce this yearβs Dementia Arts Impact Awardees. Awardees were selected from more than 85 applications from across the globe, a 25% increase from last year. The recipients join a fellowship of artists who have received the Impact Award since 2021. Now in its fourth year, the Impact Award annually provides funds and support to several artists and innovators who are depicting and serving the dementia community.
The winners are:
- The Gold Room, a portrait exhibit with memory cafe, by Juan Carlos Zaldivar, MFA Website: zaldivar.info
- 73 Seconds, an original stage play exploring the relationship between a son and his mother, who is living with dementia, by Jared Mezzocchi, MFA Website: https://www.jaredmezzocchi.com/
- Expose Dementia Film Festival, set to take place in March 2025, featuring films depicting dementia, by C. Nathaniel Brown, followed by a multi-city Dementia Arts Festival in collaboration with the Dementia Spring Foundation. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cnathanielbrown1
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AlzAuthors on Fading Memories Podcast
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Love Podcasts?
If you enjoy listening to podcasts, check out the resources for caregivers on the Whole Care Network's Streaming Radio App. You'll discover a number of informative and inspirational podcasts dedicated to the caregiving journey.
Available in the Apple store
and Google Play.
Disclaimer: Our Untangling Alzheimer's and Dementia podcast is supported by the Whole Care Network.
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Susan's Design of the Week
Please share this with your friends and followers on social media using the following text, copy, paste and hit send!
February is a time to cherish those near and dear to our hearts. We offer an amazing array of memoirs, children's books, caregiver guides, novels, poetry, and more that will remind you of the power and beauty of love on the #dementia journey. https://alzauthors.com/
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We have so much to learn . . .
On Friday, February 7th, at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, Dr. Michelle Papka, Founder and President of the Cognitive and Research Center of New Jersey (CRCNJ), will join Being Patient Live Talks to discuss emerging technology-assisted noninvasive interventions for Alzheimerβs disease. These include treatments like the SPECTRIS AD, which causes gamma wave activity with noninvasive visual and auditory stimulation.
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Love our newsletter?
Please forward it to a family member, friend, or someone you know on a dementia journey. Share the news about our authors, their stories and books, and the valuable resources we offer: website, podcast, blog, and more.
Thank you.
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Let's keep connected ...
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Our mission is to provide quality resources for those concerned with Alzheimerβs and dementia. Please help by connecting with us in at least one new way this week:
Follow our podcast and leave a review
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Join Books & Chit Chat book club
Volunteer your time and talents
Submit Your Book, Blog, or other Resource
Share this newsletter with others on a dementia journey
Visit us on The Whole Care Network
Check us out on the Health Podcast Network
Vote us up on the NYC Podcast Network
Check Out This Curated List of Alzheimer's Podcasts Featuring our Authors
Discover our authors in this podcast series on Alzheimer's
Purchase a Custom Caregiver Collection
Vote us up on the World Podcast Network
Listen to the podcast on Coming Home Well
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Thank you for supporting our mission to
connect caregivers with resources.
Your Management Team
L to R: Vicki Tapia, Ann Campanella, Christy Byrne Yates,
Marianne Sciucco, Susan Landeis, and Jean Lee
How to reach us:
Marianne Sciucco: podcast host/producer
mariannesciucco@gmail.com
Jean Lee: acquisitions editor, Custom Caregiver Collections
jean@alzheimersdaughter.com
Vicki Tapia: acquisitions editor, children's books
vicki.tapia@gmail.com
Ann Campanella: Custom Caregiver Collections
anncampanella@gmail.com
Susan Landeis: Custom Caregiver Collections
contact@susanlandeis.com
Christy Byrne Yates: podcast host/producer, YouTube channel manager
christy@cbyates.com
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