Writing Through the Fog: Three Authors Share Dementia Coping Strategies

Jan 24, 2024 1:31 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. Feel free to share what you see here with

others concerned about Alzheimer's and dementia. Stay with us.

💜 💜 💜

Hello ,

As I write this, extreme winter weather is making its way across the United States, wreaking havoc along the way. It seems when one storm ends another one's coming. That's a lot like caregiving. Just when we think we have everything under control something new bubbles up, and we're back to figuring it out all over again or tweaking our plans. In this week's podcast, Sue Evans of Kensington Senior Living and I speak with Daniel Gibbs, MD and Gerda Saunders, both living with dementia, and Jane Dwinell, a former caregiver, about their experiences weathering the storms and unexpected challenges dementia brings to daily life.

In this episode, you will:

Hear personal stories of living with Alzheimer's and dementia
Discover lifestyle modifications to better manage these conditions
Learn how to navigate daily life
Understand the importance of family support

Start listening!

You may also listen on: AlzAuthors Website ~ Amazon Music ~ Apple Podcasts ~ Deezer ~ Google Podcasts ~ Listen Notes ~ Pocket Casts ~ Podchaser ~ Spotify ~ Tune In ~ Whole Care Network

Please share this episode with friends and family who may also be looking for support. And remember to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review.

💜 💜 💜

Our Most Recent Author

Kay Adams has a deep connection to working with those living with dementia and their families in hospice, palliative care, and coaching. She says, "I've come to understand what it means to have hope amidst the darkest of times, to heal even if you can't be cured, and to drink deeply from the well of humanity when we are most in need of quenching our thirst for connection.”

💜 💜 💜

Find Us on Dementia TLC!

AlzAuthors is pleased to be partnered with Dementia TLC, brought to you by All Home Care Matters, an award-winning podcast for caregivers. Dementia TLC strives to educate and provide support for those affected by dementia, including those living with the condition, their loved ones, carers, family, friends, colleagues, professionals, and all those that could benefit from a little bit of knowledge or support. You will find a large variety of resources on their site.

Find us here!

💜 💜 💜

Our Book Club Starts Next Week!

Unlike other book clubs we don't require you actually read the book, although, obviously, that makes for a better discussion. But if you're short on time and would like to meet the author first you are welcome to join us. We're kicking it off with Andrea Couture's memoir Embracing What Remains. Andrea has volunteered to moderate the book club discussions and this is your chance to get to know her and her story.

Here's the schedule through April:

January 30th 7pm EST: Andrea Couture – Embracing What Remains: A Memoir
February 27th 7pm EST: Florrie Munat – Be Brave, a Wife’s Journey Through Caregiving
March 26th 7pm EST: Ruth Stevens– Stage Seven, a novel
April 30th 7pm EST: A gathering of poets for National Poetry Month: featuring Sherri Levine, Stealing Flowers from the Neighbors; Sue Fagalde Lick, Gravel Road Ahead; Daniel Potts, MD, Bringing Art to Life; Margaret Stawowy, co-editor of Storms of the Inland Sea, an anthology with Jim Cokas

To learn more or to become a member, please visit agingamazing.com.

Register here to get the link to the Zoom meetings.

💜 💜 💜

Author Wins Book Award

Congratulations to Jane Dwinell, author of Alzheimer's Canyon, her memoir written with her late husband Sky Yardley about their dementia journey. Alzheimer’s Canyon just received the Best Narrative Nonfiction book award 2023 from the Independent Publishers of New England. Jane appears in this week's podcast. You can learn more about Jane and Sky here .

💜 💜 💜

Led by bestselling author Laura Davis, this retreat is for caregivers or anyone who has come to a crossroads in their lives, due to the death of someone close, a loss like divorce, empty nest, or a move, an illness, a major life transition, shift in status, aging or simply the deep inner urge to chart a new course or make significant change in your life. If you're feeling "ripe with uncertainty" or are in transition from one phase of life to another, this retreat is for you. Experience the power of healing, the gift of supportive community & the profound impact guided writing can have in facing the unknown with courage.

It’s an in-person retreat in Watsonville, California in a gorgeous redwood forest. Laura says, "It’s always a powerful life-changing retreat and would be a wonderful respite for caregivers or those grieving. People definitely don’t have to consider themselves writers to attend and benefit." Thr program runs Tuesday, May 7 - Monday, May 13, 2024.

Learn more here

💜 💜 💜

An Invitation from Reading2Connect

Are you looking for ways to enhance the lives of people living with dementia in long-term care, libraries, dementia friendly communities, or in your home?Please join us for our next Reading2Connect Info Sessions on January 24th or Feb 1st or 7th to learn about this simple, but very effective resource. Created by AlzAuthor Susan Ostrowski.

Learn more

💜 💜 💜

Susan’s Design of the Week

Since I love books I've chosen this design to highlight Susan's beautiful work. Please share it with your friends and followers on social media using the following text (if you'd like).

Escape the cold and immerse yourself in the pages of an inspirational story from AlzAuthors. No time to read? Our podcast is one more way we support your #Alzheimers and dementia journey. https://alzauthors.com/

💜 💜 💜

We have so much to learn ...

Join Being Patient Live Talk for a live-streamed Q&A with Positive Approach to Care founder and dementia care expert Teepa Snow, who will be answering readers’ questions in real time.

Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, is an Occupational Therapist with over forty years of clinical and academic experience. Her experiences led her to the development of the GEMS® States of Brain Change and the Positive Approach® training strategies. Her company, Positive Approach to Care® (PAC), provides online and in-person education and products to support those living with brain change. She also founded the Snow Approach Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Hillsborough, North Carolina. RSVP to save your seat for free.

WHEN: Thursday, February 15th at 11:00 a.m. PT/2:00 p.m. ET

WHERE: Being Patient’s Facebook page

RSVP here!

💜 💜 💜

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!

💜 💜 💜

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!