Physician Turned Caregiver Shares Her Uplifting Alzheimer's Journey

Oct 30, 2024 11:01 am

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Hello ,

In this enriching episode of the Untangling Alzheimer's and Dementia podcast, Marianne and Christy welcome Dr. Helena Popovic, a physician from Australia, to discuss her personal and professional journey with dementia. Helena shares profound insights from her book, "In Search of My Father: Dementia is no match for a daughter's determination (Outwitting Alzheimer's)." Helena blends her personal caregiving experiences with scientific knowledge to offer a comprehensive guide for optimizing brain performance, reducing dementia risk, and improving cognitive functions. She's also funny and a treasure trove of helpful information.

Quotes:

On The Realization About Dementia in My Family: "Such was the stigma around dementia in my Serbian family of origin that my parents hadn't even told their only child, their devoted daughter, who also happened to be a doctor, that her father had Alzheimer's."

On Overcoming Life's Unexpected Challenges: "Life has a way of interfering with our plans. I found I was not dealing with a willing, motivated patient, but a grief stricken, self doubting man, and I underestimated the impact of the experience on my own life."

Helena offers practical tips, humor, and science to enhance cognitive function and well-being. Learn about the importance of gratitude, sensory stimulation, and the profound impact of human connection. Tune in to the podcast, and let's reimagine brain health together. Your journey to a sharper mind starts here!

Start listening

Watch on YouTube

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In Case You Missed It . . .

Dorothy, a retired first-grade teacher and former columnist for a local newspaper, brings a unique perspective to the conversation as she shares her caregiving journey with her husband, Byron, diagnosed in 2011 with early onset Alzheimer’s at age 62. Through her faith and resilience, Dorothy has found moments of grace and strength in the midst of the challenges of dementia caregiving. Her heartfelt reflections and personal experiences offer valuable insights into the role of faith in navigating the complexities of Alzheimer's and dementia, providing inspiration and support for others on similar paths. She has shared these insights in two books: Glimpses of Grace: Walking in Hope Through Alzheimer's and Ordinary Days and Glimpses of Grace: And Grace Will Lead Us Home.

Listen here!

Watch on YouTube

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Replay of Caring for a Wife with Alzheimer’s or Dementia

Men are caregivers, too. We hear from three husbands who delve into the deeply personal and challenging experiences of caring for a spouse with dementia. Featuring heartfelt stories from guests Richard Creighton, Scott Rose, and Tio Stib, this episode offers valuable insights, practical advice, and a powerful reminder that you’re not alone on this journey.

Start listening!

Watch on You Tube

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What's Next for the Book Club

Please join us for our next book club discussion on Tuesday, December 10th at 7 pm EST via Zoom as we meet Malia Kline, co-author with her sister, Dr. Diane Stinson, of the memoir "Sisterly Shove," which details their story of caring bicoastally for their parents, one with pancreatic cancer, the other with dementia. As the title suggests, they did not always agree on care plans and caregiving styles.

Readers say:

A fascinating look behind the scenes of the struggle that can go on when two sisters are caring for loved ones.
Patience and compassion with a dose of humor.
A brilliant book about family and the challenges life brings in dealing with aging parents. It demonstrates how love, understanding, forgiveness, compassion and generosity can overcome great odds.

Remember: it’s not necessary to read the book to attend the discussion. All are welcome. Please invite your family and friends for a vigorous discussion.

Learn more about Malia

Register here to get the link to the Zoom meetings

Coming in 2025

January 28th, 2 pm EDT: Mary Crescenzo, The Planet Alzheimer’s Guide: 8 Ways the Arts Can Transform the Life of Your Loved One and Your Own, a caregiver guide

February 25, 2 pm EDT: Susan Landeis, In Search of Rainbows: a daughter’s story of loss, hope, and redemption, a caring for mother memoir

March 25, 2 pm EST: Debra Tann, Ed.D, The Race of Dementia, a caregiver guide

April 22, 2 pm EST: Marita Golden. The Wide Circumference of Love, a novel

May 27, 2 pm EST: Peter Berry and Deb Bunt, Slow Puncture: Living Well with Dementia, a memoir, and Walk With Me: Musing Through the Dementia Fog, poetry

June 24, 2 pm EST: Jean Lee, Alzheimer’s Daughter, a caring for two parents memoir

Register here to get the link to the Zoom meetings

Note: The meeting time for 2025 has changed to 2 pm EDT/EST

Please visit our book club partner at agingamazing.com

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Navigating Halloween with Dementia: A Guide for Loving Caregivers

Halloween can be a tricky time for people living with dementia. The unfamiliar sights, sounds, and changes in routine can be confusing and even frightening. Here are some tips to help families navigate the holiday safely and enjoyably from our friend and fellow podcaster Jennifer Fink at Fading Memories Podcast.

Start reading

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Reminder: Election Day is November 5

In the USA, Election Day is Tuesday, November 5. Have you made a plan to vote? It's important that those of us concerned with Alzheimer's and dementia take the time to examine the candidates up and down the ballot to determine who better represents the needs of caregivers, scientific research, and those living with dementia. Many of the programs and services we rely on are led by the government: federal, state and local. This includes health insurance, oversight of long-term care homes and agencies, medication costs, and more. Whichever way you lean, please make a plan to vote and vote early if you can.

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The Wine, Women, and Dementia Documentary is Coming to PBS

We're excited to announce that Wine, Women, and Dementia, a documentary produced by AlzAuthor Kitty Norton, is premiering on PBS for National Family Caregivers Month beginning Saturday, November 2nd, 2024.

Seeking healing and comfort in community, a dementia family caregiver roadtrips the U.S. to swap caregiver stories of love, humor, devotion, and death with other dementia caregivers who share this hilariously heartbreaking end-of-life journey.

Wine, Women, and Dementia tells the tale of dementia life through the lens of the family caregivers who strive to accept the beauty and the brutality, the hilarious and the horrific - for themselves and their dementia person.

It a celebrates family caregivers while exploring themes of familial duty,

perseverance, the power of surrender, the aftermath of healing, and most importantly, how to honor LIFE on the long road to death.

See the trailer

Watch on PBS

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Supporting Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregivers in the Wake of Helene and Milton

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the recent hurricanes. AlzAuthors has a number of authors and friends who live in these hard-hit communities stretching from Florida to Virginia. Our desire is to bring hope to caregivers and those living with dementia. Your donation to an organization serving the elderly and dementia caregivers in these devastated areas are much appreciated. Here are a few we recommend:

Thank you for caring!

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Preparing for the Holidays? Here’s help.

The holiday season can be an especially trying time for dementia caregivers and people living with dementia. Join Tami Anastasia, M.A., author of Essential Strategies for the Dementia Caregiver, for a roadmap to navigate November and December. Tami will outline A,C.T.I.O.N. steps to take in order to have a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season:

A = Acceptance

C = Connect with Others

T = Take Time Out

I = Identify the Joys

O = Optimism

N = Negativity is Unhelpful

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Download "When Dad Has Dementia"

In this free booklet, you'll find 18 memoirs written about caring for a father with dementia. It's an easy way to find a book specific to your care situation.

Buy links included.

Download now!

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Coming Up Next: Pods & Book Club

11/13 - Carolyn Birell Book Club Replay

11/19 - “Caring for Two Parents with Dementia at the Same Time,” a virtual panel discussion

11/27 - Thanksgiving (US) Break

12/4 - NEW AUTHOR: Barbara Drake-Vera, author of Melted Away: A Memoir of Climate Change and Caregiving in Peru

12/10 - Books & Chit Chat with Malia Kline, Sisterly Shove

12/25 - HOLIDAY BREAK

1/1 - HOLIDAY BREAK

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Purchase our latest Anthology "Poetry for the Dementia Journey"

43 poets, 117 poems written from personal experience

Available in paperback and Kindle

Buy now!

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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!

Caregiving is a beautiful purpose to have. #AlzAuthors has hundreds of inspirational stories and resources created from personal experience to support your #dementia journey and help you find beauty in your blessings! https://alzauthors.com/

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