Episode Notes In this conversation with host Chuck McClatchey, Gincy Heins shares her own personal story about her husband's diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment, an experience that has informed Gincy's writing and co-writing of resources for those with a similar story.

Episode Notes Steve Heins dedicated a long career to working as a mechanical engineer for the Walt Disney Company. In his mid-50s, Steve was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. Along with host Chuck McClatchey, Steve shares his story - highlighting the importance of accountability, family support, and his desire to keep learning. To Steve, a diagnosis does not represent the end of the road, but just a BEND in the road, opening up unforeseen opportunities for a new stage in his life.

Episode Notes Stephen Post, PhD joins host Chuck McClatchey to share highlights of his new book "Dignity for Deeply Forgetful People: How Caregivers Can Meet the Challenges of Alzheimer's Disease", with a primary focus on the concept of HOPE in re-writing negative narratives around dementia. Rather than lamenting a loss of independence, Dr. Post reminds us that the "human condition is one of dependence", and as a result, dementia can actually teach us how to be HUMAN.

Episode Notes Gary Joseph LeBlanc began his journey as his father’s primary caregiver when he was just a little boy. His expertise in Alzheimer’s grew during the two decades he assisted his father. Then his expertise in vascular dementia grew as he cared for his mother with vascular dementia. Gary became an incredible educator & advocate in the U.S. and worldwide. He has created educational programs for police departments, fire departments, online support groups for those living with dementia, and in 2018 he joined Dementia Spotlight Foundation, where he currently serves as Educational Director.

Episode Notes Beth Soltzberg, MSW, MBA, is passionate about inclusion of diverse cultures; she recognizes the differences about caregiving in those communities, the importance of “being trustworthy” and getting appropriate resources for caregivers. Beth encourages Families to “Be there for each other and help the person living with dementia do what he/she still wants to do. Problem solve together and include humor and laughter.” Beth Soltzberg is Director, Alzheimer’s /Related Disorders Family Support Programs at Jewish Family & Children’s Service in Waltham, MA.; and Chair of the Percolator Memory Café Network.

Episode Notes Chuck McClatchey hosts an insightful and inspiring conversation with Mary Fridley, Director of Special Projects, East Side Institute and Coordinator of “Reimagining Dementia: A Creative Coalition for Social Justice”, which currently has over 600 members from 27 countries. As Mary suggests: “We don’t make caring demands for people with dementia. People can grow at any age. We have to enable full expression to our humanity. We can do it much better!”

Episode Notes Rev. Dr. Cynthia Huling Hummel describes her twenty-five year journey of “Living a Life of Joy & Service” as a Pastor and becoming a tireless advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association and for DAA. Cynthia has recently taken her 40th class at Elmira College: including French, Making Masks and Collages, and Painting. She also shares details of her diagnosis story with us: “I’m the same person after being diagnosed as before; I just had to find new ways to stay connected to make a difference." Find out more about Cynthia's book Unmasking Alzheimer's here: https://www.amazon.com/UnMasking-Alzheimers-Memories-Behind-Masks/dp/1387202189/

Episode Notes Episode 33 of This Dementia Life features Bonnie Erickson, a wonderful friend and dementia advocate. Bonnie describes her journey of “Living Life Her Way” from a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment to vascular dementia. She is adamant that “We have to burst the stigma: doctors & medical students need to learn to say “Go Live Your Life”! Bonnie encourages others to “Find Your Place in the World to Live a Fulfilling Life!"

Episode Notes Please join This Dementia Life host Chuck McClatchey for an energizing and informative interview with Steven Barbieri, a former bank executive who was diagnosed at age 51 with dementia. It took several years for his diagnosis of CTE to be confirmed. But for the past ten years, Steven has been a dynamic advocate: doing research for supplements, exercising, joining groups on Facebook to interact with others, and sharing his positive approach to “Get Out There & Do It”.

Episode Notes Please join Host Chuck McClatchey as he talks with his vibrant friend, Nancy Nelson, who was diagnosed with dementia eight years ago. Nancy never took the medication prescribed for her as she compiled word and phrases that would come to her before dawn and created three “Books of Inside Feelings” to tell her story: “I write short verses and poignant words.” Nancy speaks to many people as an advocate, is busy creating a play called “Gifts of Hope”, and will be sharing her optimistic journey on Facebook as she confidently proclaims: “Turn around and Face the Fear. What is to happen is UP TO ME!!”

Episode Notes Please join This Dementia Life host Chuck McClatchey in an empowering conversation with Jennifer Carson, PhD, Director of Dementia Friendly Nevada; Kat Hartley, Project Mgr. for Cleveland Clinic’s Healthy Brain Initiative; and Nancy Nelson, national dementia advocate, as they describe “The Power and Impact of Participating in Dementia Conversations” that they co-lead on Mondays & Fridays for those living with dementia, family members, and care partners. In this friendly, non-judgmental environment, everyone is encouraged to be authentic and share their hopes and their concerns about living fully with dementia during the Learning Circle. Warm feelings of Human Connection and Hope spread throughout the groups as they get new knowledge and make new friends.

Episode Notes Dr. Peter Reed serves as Director of the Sanford Center for Aging in the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and as Professor of Community Health Sciences. Learn about Dr. Reed’s journey as a college student whose grandfather had Alzheimer’s Disease and how it shaped his beliefs and his career. As a community volunteer, he learned Virginia Bell’s “The Best Friends Approach” to help people with dementia live their best lives. As CEO of the Pioneer Network, he has learned how to enable people to live well with dementia.

Episode Notes Please join This Dementia Life host Chuck McClatchey in an uplifting and inspiring conversation with Karen Love, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Dementia Action Alliance, as they share how DAA has expanded and impacted so many individuals living with dementia symptoms, their care partners, and extended families. As DAA’s 25th Anniversary approaches, Karen and Chuck reminisce on how DAA encourages each person living with dementia to be seen as a unique individual and enables each one to participate in ways that matter to them.

Episode Notes Barney Nelson is a DAA Advisory Board Member and advocate living with Lewy Body Dementia. Barney shares how he and his wife decided to “make the diagnostic process“ easier for himself and his doctors by creating and sharing two simple Dementia Symptom Tracking Tools: 1) Completing a Symptoms Screening Aid of specific symptoms and onset date and 2) Keeping a Personal Dated Log of Potential Symptoms. Barney has made these tools available at no charge on his website: https://dementiasymptomstrackingtools.com so others may use them to advance the diagnostic process with their doctors.

Episode Notes Vicki Quick, along with her husband Barney Nelson, is the Co-Owner of Twiddles and an advocate living with Lewy Body Dementia. Vicki affirms how much it means to both of them to spread these comforting and cozy companions to individuals living with dementia and other sensory-related conditions around the world. Vicki shares how “doing constructive things for others” makes them feel positive as they choose to live fully. Vicki and Barney know that laughter is a good elixir; and they are both grateful for what they do have!

Episode Notes John Gastil is the Distinguished Professor in Communication Arts & Sciences and Political Science at Penn State University and Senior Scholar at the MCourtney Institute for Democracy. John Gastil shares his personal story about his father who lived with Parkinson’s and Dementia. His novel “Gray Matters” reflects some of that personal journey. He encourages families of those living with dementia to provide Love and Acceptance and to be a caring support network by "Accepting the Diagnosis and the Prognosis" and actively working together to best assist their loved one. John's novel: https://www.amazon.com/Gray-Matters-John-Webster-Gastil/dp/1789045029

Episode Notes Terry left the work force in 2015 after being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 58. After being diagnosed, she resigned from a 38 year versatile career that included customer service, accounting, project management, sales, entrepreneurship, and human services. The following year Terry was diagnosed with breast cancer. She didn’t focus on “Why me;” instead she said, “Why not me?”.

Episode Notes Brenda Roberts, Director of Quality Assurance & Education for the Michigan Assisted Living Association, shares her positive outlook and practical recommendations for being an uplifting care partner to her husband Mark, who was diagnosed with early onset dementia. Brenda shares the importance of maintaining a positive & strength-based approach as his care partner; to “look for the good things in life”, to be honest with your family and good friends, and to continue to live your life in ways that make you both smile.

Episode Notes Jennifer Carson, PhD, shares her inspiring recommendations for “Living Fully with Dementia” by encouraging those with dementia to live life on their own terms; keep their values & priorities; & remain decision makers with their caring support network. Dr. Carson is a gerontologist and the Director of the Dementia Engagement, Education, and Research (DEER) Program in the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her career and scholarship encompass gerontology, dementia, long-term care, culture change, and leisure, and aging.

Episode Notes Sandy Douglass is currently Principal of Douglass Consulting, after 24 years of dedicated service as the CEO of Forest Hills, an award-winning retirement community in Washington, DC, where she was a well-respected leader in aging services locally and nationally. Sandy is a licensed nursing home administrator with expertise in long-term care operations, policy, construction management, assisted living, skilled nursing, and dementia care. Sandy also brings to the DAA her personal experience leading care teams for her mother, mother-in-law, and other family members living with dementia.