Writing Through the Fog: Three Authors Share Dementia Coping Strategies
Anyone living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, and those who care for them, knows the importance of lifestyle adjustments to successfully navigate this journey. From simple strategies like making lists, reducing social commitments, and focusing on tasks that bring joy, to complex maneuvers like family involvement in advanced directive planning, the lifestyle changes are indeed varied.
In this podcast hosted by Kensington Senior Living, three authors discuss the role of personalized coping mechanisms, underscoring the unique experience each individual and family uses to embrace and adapt to the uncertainties of Alzheimer’s. You’ll meet Daniel Gibbs, MD, a retired neurologist diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, Gerda Saunders, a retired instructor in the Gender Studies Program at the University of Utah diagnosed with cerebral microvascular disease, and Jane Dwinell, an RN, freelance writer, Unitarian Universalist minister, and caregiver to her late husband, Sky Yardley, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Moderated by AlzAuthors co-founder Marianne Sciucco and Susan Evans from Kensington Senior Living.
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 with dementia
- Understand the importance of family support
Outtakes:
“The more you know, the better you could love.” – Gerda Saunders
“What’s good for the heart is good for the head.” – Dr. Daniel Gibbs
Resources:
- Explore the AlzAuthors website to discover books, blogs, podcasts, and films written by authors who share their personal experiences with Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Visit Kensington Senior Living’s website to learn more about their seven unique communities and the relationship-based care they offer
- Consider reading Dr. Daniel Gibbs’ A Tattoo on My Brain to learn about his journey as a retired neurologist living with Alzheimer’s and the lifestyle modifications that can help slow the progression of the disease
- Check out Gerda Saunders’ memoir, Memory’s Last Breath, to gain insights into the experience of living with dementia and the perspective changes that come with it
- Learn more about Jane Dwinell’s book, Alzheimer’s Canyon, which chronicles her caregiving journey for her late husband with Alzheimer’s
- Read Marianne Sciucco’s novel, Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s love story
Our Book Club with Aging & Amazing
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About the Podcast
AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.
We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please donate here.
Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here.
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