Exploring End of Life Care in Dementia with Anne Kenny, MD

Oct 25, 2023 12:06 am

If you’re new to this email, welcome! We’re glad you’re here. We email weekly with news of our latest author, podcast, and events to guide the dementia caregiving journey. Please stay with us.

💜 💜 💜

Hello ,

I moved to upstate New York in 1991, leaving behind two wonderful friends I'd been close to since my teens. We're still close, even though we're separated by 250 miles. We don't see each other often, so when one of them contacted me to say they were going on a whirlwind weekend in New York City and would I like to join them?, I immediately said yes. She gave me their itinerary and I started mapping out my plans. But as I pondered the logistics over the course of the next few days, my enthusiasm waned. I live about 60 miles northwest of Manhattan, a doable distance, but a complicated commute. This excursion would mean a very long ride on the train, and I'd have to navigate the subway, then walk several blocks all by myself. I started a list of reasons for why I shouldn’t go: the crowds, the cost, the weather. I soon felt intimidated and nervous about the whole thing. But I wanted to see my friends! I wanted us to have one grand adventure at this phase in our lives, deep middle age and two of us widowed. I'd been to the city on my own before for writers' conferences and it was okay, actually it was pretty great. I’d be foolish to pass up this opportunity. What happened to the brave young woman who would have had no reservations for such a weekend? I wondered. She's aged, is what happened, and she's been through turmoils that have sapped her energy, confidence, and verve: caregiving, loss, chronic pain. I was quick to allow these limitations to get in my way, to steal my joy. When I considered that I was passing up on a most likely once in a lifetime opportunity due to my fears, I put on my big girl pants and committed myself to joining them. The trip is this weekend. I'll let you know how it works out.

My lesson: Sometimes you need to get out of your own way.

💜 💜 💜

Our Latest Podcast

This week's podcast guest is Anne Kenny, MD, a compassionate geriatrician specializing in palliative care, who brings to her practice the knowledge she gained as caregiver to her own mother who had dementia. She understands the challenges, family tensions, and grief that families encounter. Her book, Making Tough Decisions About End of Life Care in Dementia, helps caregivers seek support and emphasizes the importance of open conversations about end-of-life planning.

In this episode, you will:

Explore the journey towards uncovering purpose and meaning amidst dementia, redefining your outlook on life.
Appreciate the necessity for open dialogue about end-of-life decisions, strengthening emotional preparedness and resilience.
Learn about the impactful role of arts and music in the realm of dementia care, introducing you to innovative care methodologies.
Recognize the imperative of reaching out and receiving support in dementia caregiving, and developing effective stress management techniques.

Start listening!

💜 💜 💜

AlzAuthors is Now on a Streaming Radio Channel

Watch your inbox! We have a BONUS EPISODE coming on Friday featuring our friend Christopher MacLellan from The Whole Care Network. We'll talk about WCN's newest resource for caregivers: a streaming radio channel.

💜 💜 💜

Meet our newest author

Jane Dwinell and her husband Sky Yardley are the authors of the beautiful memoir, Alzheimer's Canyon: One Couple's Reflections on Living with Dementia. Their experience is guaranteed to touch your heart as they each write about how they dealt with the progression of his dementia.

Read the Full Post

💜 💜 💜

Coming Up Next!

Navigating the holidays with dementia can be challenging, especially when it comes to travel. When designing a holiday trip, there are key strategies that caregivers can take in planning all of the trips this season may require. Dr. Alexis Eastman, a clinical associate professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, joins Being Patient Live Talks on Friday, October 27th at 12:00 p.m. PT/ 3:00 p.m. ET to discuss best practices for holiday travel and family gatherings for people living with dementia. While the holiday season can be a busy and stressful time for caregivers, these strategies can help to make it better for people living with cognitive decline and their loved ones. RSVP for our conversation with Dr. Eastman to learn more.

WHEN: Friday, October 27th at 12:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. ET

WHERE: Being Patient’s Facebook page

The key to understanding Alzheimer’s disease could be in our genes, and by studying genetics and gene therapy, scientists are learning more about how genes play a role in Alzheimer’s disease and what can be done for prevention. Barrow Neurological Institute’s neurologist, author, and Alzheimer’s expert Dr. Marwan Sabbagh joins Being Patient to discuss the headway scientists are making in understanding the connection between the genes we carry and our chances of developing Alzheimer’s. Sabbagh, a board-certified behavioral neurologist at Barrow’s Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program and a professor at the institute’s department of neurology, has served as the lead investigator on several prominent national Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment clinical trials. In this talk, he’ll speak about how genetic research, like that on the ApoE4 gene, can help us learn more about Alzheimer’s and how it can be prevented. This Live Talk is sponsored by Alzheon. RSVP below to learn more about the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 31st at 9:30 a.m. PT/12:30 p.m. ET.

WHERE: Being Patient’s Facebook page.

Four Authors Featured in Washington Symposium

We are happy to see four of our wonderful authors come together for this important and timely event on November 9th from 2:00 -3:30.

Madison House Independent and Assisted Living Community

12215 NE 128th St Kirkland, WA

Congratulations Naomi Wark, Rosalys Peel,

Steph Jagger, and Florrie Munat

💜 💜 💜

Susan's Design of the Week

Susan Landeis, author of In Search of Rainbows and Optimal Caregiving, is the creative talent behind the beautiful graphics that adorn our social media feeds. She makes fresh ones daily. To honor Susan and her work, we feature our favorite design of the week - not easy - in each newsletter in case you missed it. Feel free to share the graphics - and their text - to your own social media. This will help spread the word of AlzAuthors and give your followers a reason to smile. Thank you, Susan, for making us look so good!

It's important to prioritize your own wellbeing so you can continue to be a great caregiver. Discover hundreds of trusted #Alzheimers and dementia resources to guide your journey. https://alzauthors.com/

💜 💜 💜

Start shopping!

💜 💜 💜

Was this email forwarded to you?

Subscribe here

💜 💜 💜

Let's stay connected ...

Stay up-to-date with us between newsletters

Connect with us on social media!

AlzAuthors.com

Facebook: Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resources

💜 💜 💜

Please Support our Mission

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:

Become an AlzAuthors Donor

Subscribe to our weekly blog

Follow our podcast and leave a review

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Volunteer your time and talents

Submit Your Book, Blog, or other Resource

Buy a book (or books!) in the AlzAuthors Bookstore

Join our Amazon book club

Leave a review on Google

Share this newsletter with others on a dementia journey

Host a Facebook Fundraiser

Shop our store!