Dementia Discussions

Medical aid in dying, also known as MAID, is an end-of-life option that many people have questions about—and there are also a lot of misconceptions surrounding it. After my recent conversation with Ana Safarian of Olympia Hospice Care, I wanted to invite her back to help me better understand what medical aid in dying really means, who may qualify, and what patients and their families can expect from the process. Ana and I talk about patient choice and dignity at the end of life, the role of h...

Hospice can be a difficult word for families to hear. We often think it means giving up, but what if hospice is really about comfort, dignity, quality of life, and bringing more support to both the person who is dying and the people caring for them? In this episode, I’m joined by Ana Safarian, administrator of Olympia Hospice Care, for a conversation about what hospice actually looks like and how much support can be available to families. We talk about who may qualify for hospice, Medicare co...

In this episode, I sit down with Denise Stiel, a member of my caregiver support group who is navigating an incredibly difficult chapter with her husband, Norman. Denise and Norman have been married for 61 years. He was a brilliant, accomplished attorney who graduated from UCLA at just 19, built a successful career, and deeply loved his children and grandchildren. But as Norman’s ability to manage everyday life began to change, Denise found herself searching for answers—and struggling to get t...

When someone has been part of the family for years, it's only natural for their role to grow over time. A trusted housekeeper or personal assistant may begin helping with grocery shopping, transportation, meal preparation, or even personal care. But when does that evolution become a problem? And how do families know when it's time to bring in professional caregiving support? In this episode, I'm joined by Steve Barlam, CEO of JFS Care and former president of the Aging Life Care Association. T...

In this deeply moving episode of Dementia Discussions, I sit down with Mary, a beloved member of my Dementia with Lewy Body support group through the UCLA Mary S. Easton Center. Mary shares the remarkable story of her husband, Dan, and their 15-year journey through dementia—a path marked by uncertainty, resilience, heartbreak, and ultimately, peace. From the earliest signs that something was changing to navigating multiple diagnoses, difficult behaviors, hallucinations, caregiving challenges,...