Reaching the Unreachable with Tom and Karen Brenner

Jan 18, 2023 2:01 am

Hello ,

This week's podcast is full of practical information, insight, and inspiration. My discussion with Tom and Karen Brenner brought me back to my early days as a nursing assistant in long term care, caring for people with dementia. How I longed to connect with them, even when it seemed hopeless. I intuitively knew that the heart, soul, and mind obscured by the disease was still intact, and reachable. I learned how to enter their world, and this made all the difference. I was fortunate to work in a facility that was progressive, ahead of its time, and expended great resources to foster these connections through programming and activities, the kind that Tom and Karen describe in the podcast. When we have the understanding and tools - some of them quite simple and inexpensive - to make connections when connecting seems lost, we add a new dimension to our relationships. I hope you enjoy the podcast. Please send me your thoughts at marianne@alzauthors.com.

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On the Podcast

Tom and Karen Brenner have a passion for helping those with dementia and their families connect on a meaningful level. Both bring their professional experience to their work. Tom is a gerontologist who specializes in creating dementia care programs that are strength-based and positive leaning. Karen is a Montessori educator who co-founded a Montessori school for children who are deaf. They have worked together for the past twenty years researching and implementing the application of the Montessori Method to dementia care. In this episode, we discuss the beauty of being in the moment, how to change the conversation around dementia, and practical methods to reach people who may seem unreachable. Please subscribe to the podcast so you can listen as soon as they're released, and leave a review or rating, which helps other caregivers discover us. Thank you!

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Our Latest Author

From her experiences, Sandra C. Strauss is "compelled to share an all-too-familiar path that millions find themselves traveling now as caregivers. As an endurance run of body, mind, and heart, she also speaks about the challenges of caregiving for the neurologically impaired—family dynamics, relationship changes, care issues, legal consequences, and support strategies--to assist others in navigating through the many challenges that accompany these and other chronic illnesses."

Meet Sandra

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In Memoriam: Robin Perini

The management team is sad to learn of the passing of fellow author Robin Perini. She was a caregiver to her mother and a passionate advocate and ally for Alzheimer's and dementia awareness. She founded The Memory Challenge. A romantic thriller author, she published 16 mystery/romance novels and sold over a million copies while working full time. Alzheimer's inspired some of her fiction and she became an AlzAuthors contributor in December, 2016 with Forgotten Secrets. She also volunteered to help with the website and build our bookstore, and appeared on our podcast in its early days. Our condolences go out to her family, friends, and fans. She will be missed.

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A Caregiver Writing Workshop for 2023

Annette J. Wick, author of I'll Have Some of Yours and Pauletta Hansel, author of Palindrome, poems about her mother's journey through dementia are offering a FREE writing workshop for caregivers. Participants will write to reflect on their own journey, and to share as much or as little writing in a supportive and safe circle of other caregivers. No previous writing experience is necessary. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants prior to class date. Annette and Pauletta have collaborated on many workshops like this over the years and are experienced writing teachers.

Four sessions:

February 16: 1 pm - 3 pm EST

May 16: 1 pm - 3 pm EST

August 1: 1 pm - 3 pm EST

November 8: 10 am - 12 pm EST

Coming February 1st: Annette and Pauletta

will visit the podcast to discuss this workshop.

Get More Info

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Nominate Your Favorite Caregiver for HFC's Scotty Award

The Scotty is not a recognition of the best caregiver, nor is it a recognition of the hardest working caregiver, nor the bravest. The Scotty is a symbol, and HFC's way of recognizing ALL family caregivers who work, strive, love, and yes, sometimes struggle, while caring for someone living with the serious effects of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.

Nominations end February 1.

Winner announced February 17.

Submit your nomination here

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Tell Us Your Story!

Please share this project with family, friends, and followers on a dementia journey.

Here’s how to share your six words on what I wish I knew about Alzheimer's or dementia that I didn't find out until later:

1. Go to this link https://app.sixwordmemoirs.com/

where you’ll be prompted to login with a name/password/email.

2. Then go to Join Topics and use this code: b9xeuc4g

or visit https://app.sixwordmemoirs.com/topic/b9xeuc4g/s

3. Share one or as many six-word stories as you like!

You can also use these links to read all the stories submitted thus far.

We can't wait to read your stories!

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Our mission is to provide quality resources for those concerned with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Please help by connecting with us in at least one new way this week:

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