New Podcast: Enhancing Quality of Life in Dementia Care with Susan Ostrowski

Oct 11, 2023 12:01 am

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Hello ,

At AlzAuthors, we write because we have something to share and hope to engage, enlighten, and entertain readers. We want people to read our words, share our books, and find community amongst our stories. What’s an author without a reader, after all?

Reading is a complicated process, though. As an educator, I became more fascinated with the process of reading while working with struggling students. Before going into education, I was an avid reader, but I took it for granted. Now I know that reading involves many areas of our brain, such as speech and language centers, memory centers, and several different cognitive processes. We can read words when we crack our language's sound and symbol code, and we comprehend meaning when we can relate it to some prior knowledge.

Discovering the ability to read and the pleasure it can bring, is incredible. I recall the breakthrough of a seventh grader I worked with who had always struggled as a reader. She found me at school and declared, beaming, “Mrs. Yates! I can read!” She struck gold, and it was wonderful.

So how is reading for our loved ones or our person with dementia? Were they, too, avid readers? Or did they struggle? Can they continue to be engaged readers?

This week's podcast guest, Susan Ostrowski, a speech language pathologist and founder of Reading2Connect®, takes us through her program that seeks to keep people with dementia engaged in the pleasure and community of reading. I’m still a reader, and I’m still a learner. It was like striking gold to learn from Susan.

Start ListenIng!

Big thanks to everyone who has left ratings or reviews for us on Apple Podcasts. If you haven't done this yet we’d be grateful if you do. Here’s how: Go on Apple Podcasts and search for Untangling Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Click on the podcast art then scroll down to the bottom of the page. You can share your thoughts under “Ratings & Reviews.“ And don’t forget to tell your friends and family about our podcast and other resources. Sharing is caring! 💜

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AlzAuthors is pleased to present Keys Bags Names Words, a documentary film about hope in aging and dementia. You will watch the 85-minute documentary at your leisure then join us for a film discussion.

Date: Tuesday, October 17

Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Via Zoom

Produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Cynthia Stone, Keys Bags Names Words is a hopeful and inspiring lens portraying stories of both the personal and global impacts of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, while following a cohort of young scientists and artists from around the world as they harness creativity, humor, and compassion to lead the way towards hope and resilience.

The film shows intimate profiles of people living with dementia and their care partners. You’ll meet doctors discussing what you can do in your life to support brain health and prevent cognitive decline. And you’ll meet musicians and artists, scientists, and policy experts from around the world engaged in a bold approach to tackle a leading global challenge for health and social care in the 21st century, dementia, and brain health.

This film is not a lament to loss, but an inspiring celebration of the human spirit.

View Trailer

Register for screening link and film discussion

Learn more on our website

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Take Two! Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Dementia (but were afraid to ask) part two

On September 1st, we gathered five of our authors, all living well with dementia, for a candid discussion about their lives with cognitive impairment. This was an invigorating, inspirational conversation, but we goofed. We forgot to hit the record button until we were well into the talk! And we had promised to put out a YouTube video and podcast with this content. Rather than publish a truncated version of this event, the authors have all generously agreed to gather again for a redo on Tuesday, October, 24 at 10:30 am EST. This time, we will be sure to hit record at the onset of our time together! If you attended the previous event, you can be assured of gaining the replay of this one. If you were unable to attend the previous event, you now have a second chance to join in. We’re grateful to our authors for sharing even more of their precious time with us, and look forward to seeing you in our Zoom Room.

Learn more here!

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Congratulations to Lori Aden, author of Grandma is Acting Funny with her sister Shelia Parsley, on your article in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Weekly. Children are a huge part of the Alzheimer’s equation, and knowing how to best respond to their questions and concerns is important.

Read it here

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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!

Most caregivers are also juggling other responsibilities but setting aside some "me time" is important. AlzAuthors offers support through hundreds of #dementia resources to light your way. https://alzauthors.com/

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Let AlzAuthors light your way with a Custom Caregiver Collection!

Within the pages of these beautiful resources, you will find comfort,

support and insight for your dementia journey.

Perfect for senior centers, care homes, memory cafes and more.

Learn more!

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Upcoming Being Patient Live Talks

Emily Paolillo: What is MCI and How Is It Diagnosed?

UCSF’s Emily Paolillo, PhD, joins Being Patient Live Talks on Friday, October 13th at 12:00 p.m. PT/3:00 p.m. ET to explain MCI and what goes into diagnosis.

Gloria Aguirre: Using Creativity to Boost Brain Health Literacy in the Latino Community on Friday, October 20th at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET

Artist, community advocate, and Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity Gloria Aguirre joins Being Patient Live Talks to discuss her work boosting brain health in San Francisco through education, social connection, and creativity.

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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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