Everyday Dementia Guide

We’re continuing our discussion about when you need to move your loved one living with dementia or Alzheimer’s and today we’re going to talk about setting up for success in these types of transitions. Especially around moving between living or care settings with dementia or Alzheimer’s, it’s important to plan ahead, act early, and communicate well to allow for the best chance of success. If you're looking for tips to set up for success in transitioning between care settings and home, this is the podcast.

Today we’re going to talk about options for moving with dementia, specifically when your loved one can’t continue to live in their home. The process of helping them choose, or having to choose for them, the next place to live can be completely overwhelming. In other episodes in this series, we’re going to talk about the emotions and tips for transitioning between settings, but today is for exploring the options so you can at least have an understanding of the range of choices and how they might stack up as you consider moving your loved one living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Have a question or idea? Drop us a line! hello@dementiadownthehall.com

This episode is part of a series on transitions in care. We’re going to explore all of the aspects of moving a loved one with dementia including housing options, how to plan for success and how to pay for it. Today we’re starting with step one, knowing when to move your loved one to a different living situation. We’re exploring why and when a move might become necessary and how to navigate through feelings that come up through this process. Have a request or idea or question? Drop us a line! hello@dementiadownthehall.com

Today we’re continuing the Spring Cleaning series at Everyday Dementia Guide. We’re talking about letting go of what’s no longer working in this season of life. Today we’re going to talk about the double-edged sword of socializing as a care partner of someone living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. This is so tricky, because the absolute best thing you can do for your brain, is to stay engaged socially. But, as you know or may be about to know, socializing and dementia can be challenging. Have a question or idea for the podcast? Drop us a line! hello@dementiadownthehall.com

Today we’re continuing the Spring Cleaning series at Everyday Dementia Guide. We’re talking about letting go of what’s no longer working in this season of life. Today we’re tackling a huge source of stress, guilt and a dozen other feelings for care partners: expectations. When you are a dementia care partner, you get the perfect opportunity for an expectation audit and spring cleaning. If you’re feeling burdened by heavy expectations of others or yourself lately, this episode is for you. Have a question or request for the podcast? Send it over! hello@dementiadownthehall.com

Today we’re continuing the Spring Cleaning series at Everyday Dementia Guide. We’re going to talk about out with the old and in with the new and we’re applying it to many areas in our life. We’re exploring the opportunity that you have to really refine all areas of your life to serve you where you are now. Today we’re going to talk about what you can do to your task list to optimize for success in your care partner journey. If you’re new to being a dementia care partner, or if you’ve been at it for awhile and are feeling completely overwhelmed, this episode is for you. Have a question or request for the podcast? Drop us a line at hello@dementiadownthehall.com

This episode marks the beginning of our Spring Cleaning series at Everyday Dementia Guide. We’re going to talk about out with the old and in with the new and we’re applying it to things around the home, but also expectations, tasks and even social time. We’ll explore the opportunity that you have to really refine all areas of your life to serve you where you are now. Today we’re going to talk about what you can do in your home to optimize for dementia or Alzheimer’s. Have a question or request for the podcast? Drop us a line at hello@dementiadownthehall.com

In this episode we’re going to try and clear up some confusion, about a condition that causes sudden confusion, within the context of a disease that also causes a lot of confusion. We’re talking about delirium, especially as it relates to dementia and Alzheimer’s. We’ll go through what it is, how to recognize it, and what to do if you think your loved one may be experiencing delirium. Resources: Delirium vs. Dementia Quick Chart Have a question or idea for a podcast? Send it to us at hello@dementiadownthehall.com

Today we're talking about the stages of dementia and Alzheimer's. What are the stages of the disease and how will we get through them? We'll explore the three stage model and go through about how long each stage lasts and what kinds of behaviors you might see in each stage. We'll also talk about why stressing over which stage your're in, is not necessary. RESOURCES: Alzheimer's Association Dementia StagesHealthline Dementia Stages Have a request or idea for the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! hello@dementiadownthehall.com

When we talk about Alzheimer’s and dementia, we spend a lot of time talking about how the brain is affected, but there may be other physical changes also. As with everything dementia, not all of these things will happen to you or your loved one, so please try not to be overwhelmed. This list is just an attempt to explain and inform you so you feel more prepared. RESOURCES: Verywell Health Article on Physical Changes Have a request or idea for the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! hello@dementiadownthehall.com

In this episode we're going to talk about hospice. If you're thinking about hospice or end of life, you're already handling a lot. We're going to explore what makes hospice a really good fit for some families and patients in this situation. If you want your loved one to have their best quality of life at this time, there might be some services that are included with hospice that might just help. If you're not ready to hear this yet, go back to Episode 45 and dispell the myths around hospice first. Take a listen and let me know what you think. RESOURCES: Hospice Tips from Alzheimer's Association Hospice Care Plans Have a request or idea for the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! hello@dementiadownthehall.com

Today I’m talking about the myths swirling around hospice that might be preventing you from taking advantage, or even considering hospice as an option for your family. Hospice is an often misunderstood service that can be such a benefit to families living with dementia. I wanted to dedicate this episode to providing the facts around hospice. My family, and many of those I’ve worked with, have used hospice services and had amazingly positive experiences, both for the person living with the disease and for the family. Listen to find out what's true and what's just rumors around hospice care. Resources: National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization 2010 Hospice Study Hospice Myths vs. Facts Hospice Myths list vs. Facts Have a request or idea for the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! hello@dementiadownthehall.com

If you’re supporting a loved one living with dementia or Alzheimer’s and you’ve seen them start to lose interest in doing the things that they used to or lack of motivation to do much of anything, you might be seeing apathy. This can look a lot like depression, and while they may be related, apathy can occur when someone’s brain is damaged such as someone living with dementia. Today I’m going to talk about how to recognize apathy and what you can, and can’t, do to help. Resources: How to help someone who doesn't know they've got dementia Have a request or idea for the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! hello@dementiadownthehall.com

As we head into a new year, many people are taking a look at their lives and setting goals for the coming year. So I wanted to touch on the financial impact of dementia in your life. This is something that can impact the whole family system, so it’s important to understand what might be coming and how you can mitigate some of the impacts. Resources: How to help someone who doesn't know they've got dementia Have a request or idea for the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! hello@dementiadownthehall.com

I have talked a few times on the podcast about denial. Denial in the person living with dementia, denial by family and friends, or even denial by healthcare professionals. But what if what you’re seeing in your loved one living with cognitive impairment isn’t denial, what if it’s anosognosia? What even is anosognosia? Resources: How to help someone who doesn't know they've got dementia Have a request or idea for the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! hello@dementiadownthehall.com

The holidays are in full swing and you might be feeling an extra pinch if you’re caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Maybe your treasured holiday treats were dumped on the lawn for the birds to enjoy. Or maybe you can’t get to your traditions because you’re busy guarding the door so they don’t go outside without shoes or a coat. Whatever it is, you are facing extra challenges at this time of year and I have some tips that can help. Resources: Holidays tips from Alzheimer’s Association Have an idea or request for the podcast? We'd love to hear from you. hello@dementiadownthehall.com

Today we’re talking about the changes that will happen in your relationship with your loved one through the journey with Alzheimer’s or dementia. As their needs for help have increased, you’ve taken on more supportive roles. This might have even started before you noticed it. At some point though, it becomes important to really become intentional about how you’re showing up for your loved one, as well as for yourself. We’re talking about relationships and how they transition through the journey with dementia. Resources: Caregiver Journey Free E-book Send us your ideas or requests for the next topics! hello@dementiadownthehall.com

Today’s episode is a follow up to the last two episodes on revisiting denial. When someone is having cognitive difficulties and they are in denial, this can make things a lot tougher on the care partners, especially the primary one who might be living with the person. If you’re living with someone who is in denial, you’re doing so much to help them and they don’t even know. But what about when you are totally taxed and need some help? How can you get help without causing drama? In this episode, we’re going to talk about being sneaky, in a good way, so that you can take care of your loved one and yourself. Resources: Dementia Road Maphello@dementiadownthehall.com Submit your ideas or questions for future episodes here.

In a previous episode (8) I made a case that denial can be a good thing. It can give a person space to grieve and process information at a slower pace or in phases, but I did say you shouldn't stay there. This episode is the second of a two part series on what happens if you’re stuck in denial. When living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, denial can be on the part of the person living with the disease, or the family members and friends. It can also be both! In this episode, we’re going to explore how to cope when it’s the family or friends of the person living with dementia who are stuck in denial. Resources: Dementia Road Maphello@dementiadownthehall.com Submit your ideas or questions for future episodes here.

In episode 8 I made a case that denial can be a good thing. It can give a person space to grieve and process information at a slower pace or in phases, but I did say you can’t stay there. This episode is the first of a two part series on what happens if you’re stuck in denial. When living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, denial can be on the part of the person living with the disease, or the family members and friends. It can also be both! In this episode, we’re going to explore how to cope when it’s the person living with dementia who is stuck in denial. Resources: Dementia Road Maphello@dementiadownthehall.com Submit your ideas or questions for future episodes here.