#survivingalzheimers with Dayna Steele

Joining me on the new episode of #survivingalzheimers is Lavonne Pelsy. She and her husband met later in life and were looking forward to their future. A future that they did not realize would include memory care for him so soon. 

Joining me on the new episode of #survivingalzheimers is neurologist, caregiver, and daughter Dona Kim Murphey. We discuss where she is at the beginning of her journey with her Dad and whether she approaches it differently as a trained doctor. We find we all go through the same things. #caregivers #alzheimers #dementia #podcast #book #play Her fund to support other Asian caregivers: http://spot.fund/6f8g6sc

Joining me on this episode of #survivingalzheimers is Susie Singer Carter, a multi-award-winning filmmaker, podcaster, and caregiver advocate. She is currently producing a documentary, No Country For Old People, which centers on nursing home neglect.

Joining me on the new episode of #survivingalzheimers is Dr. Sandeep Jauhar, author of “My Father’s Brain: Life in the Shadow of Alzheimer’s.” Find the book here: https://amzn.to/3X0EO0O

Joining me on the new episode of #survivingalzheimers is Dr. Macie P. Smith, one of the country’s leading dementia and aging experts. We talk about how it feels to have dementia or Alzheimer’s. And, we discuss the stigma that still exists in some communities. 

Joining me on this episode #survivingalzheimers is Veronica Watts, telling us what to look for in assisted living and hospice for a loved one. The good facilities and caregivers and the ones to avoid.

Joining me on this episode of #survivingalzheimers is Sherea Cary, a daughter, and caregiver to her mom in the beginning stages of dementia. She shares what she has learned so far.Link in bio or #caregivers #alzheimers #dementia #podcast #book #play 

Joining me on #survivingalzheimers - John Gartner - psychologist, psychotherapist, author, and founder of Duty to Warn, an organization of mental health professionals and laypersons who consider it their duty to warn patients, clients, and the community at large when aware of potential danger when a leader or potential leader shows signs of brain deterioration.Duty To Warn on Twitter#caregivers #alzheimers #dementia #podcast #book #play 

Joining me on #survivingalzheimers - Marcus Gurske - a dear friend who had to experience Alzheimer’s with a parent from a long-distance perspective.More resources: https://surviving-alzheimers.com/

Joining me on #survivingalzheimers is Joe Pogge, a longtime Houston radio marketing legend, host of Smokin’ Joe’s Driving Range, and husband of a beloved wife he is losing to dementia. #caregiver#survivingalzheimers #caregivers #alzheimers #dementia #podcast #book #play #theatre #theater #actor Hear Joe on the Houston Radio Platinum app.

Steve Wessler is a world-renowned human rights activist, writer, lecturer, facilitator, and speaker. He is also diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Steve and I talk about how he wishes people would treat him and talk to him. We talk about his future plans and his sons. And, I realize I am asking Steve questions I wish I could have asked my mother. Website: http://www.stevewessler.comBoston Globe article: https://www.coa.edu/live/news/2007-i-have-alzheimers-disease-this-is-what-i-need-fromThe Family Questions: https://surviving-alzheimers.com/resources

Elizabeth Justiz is an organizing and decluttering expert (as well as the best daughter-in-law ever.) She joins me on the #survivingalzheimers podcast to talk about what a burden your stuff is to others and how to start getting rid of it! The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning10 Steps for Downsizing and Decluttering

Corabell Arps helps family caregivers thrive, experience joy, and succeed at managing personal, family, business, and care challenges.Website: https://www.scissortailhealthcoaching.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corabell-arps-md-nbc-hwc-27a75b230/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corabell.arps

Robert Egelstaff was one of four adventurers who followed in the footsteps of polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Egelstaff and his crew used an open boat to trace his journey from Elephant Island to South Georgia in the Antarctic summer of 1993-1994. I met Rob on an expedition to Antarctica in December 2023. Just like everyone else I meet, Rob has a story about Alzheimer’s and a loved one.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-egelstaff-17388241/?originalSubdomain=uk

Leading neurologist and clinical researcher Dr. William Justiz from Aqualane Clinical Research joins us to kick off the new season with the latest findings in Alzheimer's research, new testing information, and words of wisdom.https://www.instagram.com/aqualaneclinicalresearch/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076314073332Surviving Alzheimer’s book: https://amzn.to/2X6byTRDonate to the play: https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/the-woman-in-the-mirror-play

Welcome to the last episode of #survivingalzheimers for this year. The team is taking a break for the next couple of weeks, and then we will be back with new episodes the second week of January.Over the last year or so, I’ve interviewed my brother-in-law several times about different subjects. Known to many as Tio Willie, he is actually leading neurologist and Alzheimer's researcher Dr. William Justiz. We start with a big question for me - why did Mom forget my name, her caregiver, her best friend, the one closest to her? And what do you do and say when someone you love says, "What’s your name?" We also talk about the last thing you forget.Tickets go on sale for The Woman in the Mirror at Revolution Stage Company in Palm Springs on January 4th. The show runs in March - I hope you can make it!Thanks again for listening to #survivingalzheimers. It’s a labor of love honoring my late mother Fran Nicholson, and a love letter to caregivers. Please know you are not alone. We are here with you.LINKSNeed to find a support group where you live? Google the name of your town and “Alzheimer’s support group” - I guarantee you’ll find somethingDr. William Justiz at Aqualane ResearchAlzheimer’s AssociationAlzheimer’s FoundationHFC from Lauren and Seth Rogen

I had a speaking event almost 15 years ago, and the speaker before me was Honey Leveen, a Long Term Care Insurance Specialist. I am so glad I arrived early that day and heard her presentation. At the time, I had no idea long-term care was not covered by my existing insurance plan and future Medicare. Not long after that meeting, Wonder Husband and I purchased a long-term care insurance policy from Honey. I was 47 years old, and it's one of the best things I've ever done. Money was tight, but we cut back on other things with our future in mind. We don't have a large amount of savings now. We do have care waiting for us when we need it for the rest of our lives. Ask friends and family if they have long-term care Insurance and who they used to navigate the plans and pricing. There is also a link to contact Honey in this episode's description. She tells us a lot about this special insurance in the first part of this interview. The second half is a conversation we had when we stopped to grab coffee with Honey and her husband near a retirement community they have moved to in Florida - to hear more about senior living options. More and more senior living companies are finding ways to make the last years of life happy, social, comfortable, and safe. Honey Leveen educates us on how these places work on a Starbucks patio in sunny Ft Myers, Florida. We will all get older, so we might as well have as much info as possible. Bottom line - have a plan - not only where and how you will live as you age but who and how you will pay for it. Don't burden your family because of your lack of planning. Yes, long-term care, any plan, will cost you some money. And the older you get, the more expensive it will get. But odds are you will need something - your plan should not be to burden your family with your care. Surprisingly, a third of my podcast audience is in their 20s, so I'm talking to you now. Start putting a few dollars away now for your retirement and elder care. If you do it now, you will have incredible peace of mind and quality of life later.It's up to you. Start talking about this with your family and friends. We need a much better system in the US and worldwide to care for our aging population, but until someone comes up with that plan. Last, we're just coming off Thanksgiving and heading into the holidays. If there is a caregiver you need to shop for, here are some ideas - maid service, lawn service, grocery delivery, premade meals for their freezer, or a meal service, take over for a few hours so they can get something done or have time to themselves. Send them to a nice hotel for a few nights off, and you take over the care or hire a home health service. Most importantly, say thank you, "I see you and see what you are doing and everything you are sacrificing." A little acknowledgment goes a long way,HONEY LEVEEN, LUTCF, CLTC, LTCPwww.honeyleveen.comWork: 713-988-4671Cell: 713-447-6197

Chris Alan is a longtime radio personality in the Houston/Galveston, Texas area. He also runs a very successful restaurant chain in the area - Christian's Tailgate with the best onion rings, burgers, and tacos. And he and his brother are currently losing their beloved mother to Alzheimer’s. It's not always easy for anyone to tell me their story but seems to be especially harder on men. Because Chris and I are so close, he agreed to sit down and talk to me about his current journey with his mom and his own fears. You'll also hear some scenes from the play. There are links to everything we discuss below.  Please subscribe to #survivingalzheimers wherever you listen to your podcasts. It is especially helpful for us if you subscribe to us on Spotify. Thanks! Early Signs of Alzheimer’s/Dr. William Justiz https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/survivingalzheimers/episodes/Early-Signs-of-Alzheimers-e2aojn7Houston Radio Platinum https://houstonradioplatinum.com MOCA Test https://static1.squarespace.com/static/62aa2cf3b606f524a5f66129/t/6499aafcab8a203c2c905192/1687792380994/MOCA+test.pdfChristian’s Tailgate/Houston https://www.christianstailgate.comMostly Chocolate https://mostlyhtx.comBook https://amzn.to/2X6byTRDonate https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/the-woman-in-the-mirror-playPlay https://surviving-alzheimers.com/home#playRecord a message https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/survivingalzheimers/messageMy website https://surviving-alzheimers.com/

Cathy Arroyo, a friend of mine, was dealing with a mom, a stepdad, and a dad who were all in different stages of dementia in different cities across the country from where she and her brother were. Someone suggested they hire a Geriatric Case Manager (GCM), something I wish I had known about for Mom. Cathy tells us what this case manager does, how you find one, and the interview questions you should ask. You can find these questions and links below.Cathy told me later that they paid anywhere from $700 to $1000 monthly for their case manager’s services. Theirs was one of the best, so there are definitely more affordable rates should you choose to go this route. You can find out more at aginglifecare.org.  And you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube for more #survivingalzheimers information. The play⁠⁠The book⁠⁠Make a tax-deductible donationVA Aid & Assistance

During COVID, I started a podcast on no particular subject just to entertain myself. One of the people I talked to during that time was Melissa Stevens, the widow of Mark Stevens. Mark was one half of one of the most famous radio teams ever, Stevens and Pruett, on KLOL in Houston, Texas, the station I was at for so long. Many fans know Mark is no longer with us, but they don’t know why. Melissa joins me to talk about Mark's journey with Alzheimer's, why many fans didn't know, and her journey as a loved one and caregiver. Melissa and I talk about family and friends who stopped coming or never came at all - and the simple things they could have done that would have made a difference.Make a tax-deductible donation to the play hereIf you’d like to learn more about Mark Stevens, see “Runaway Radio,” the documentary about KLOL. It’s doing the film festival circuit right now and then will be available on streaming services. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Yet caregivers still question ourselves during and after. Melissa and I both learned that you do the best you can; there is no manual for #survivingalzheimers The playThe bookMake a tax-deductible donation"Runaway Radio"The clock test Melissa talks aboutTell me your story