Welcome to a special episode of the AlzAuthors podcast, part of our first-ever Film Festival! Celebrating our 10th anniversary, host Marianne Sciucco sits down with acclaimed arts educator, author, and filmmaker Mary Crescenzo to explore the transformative role of the arts in dementia care.

In this heartfelt conversation, Mary shares her journey from early experiences in nursing homes to the creation of her poetic play-turned-film, "Planet A." We discuss her innovative, age-blind casting, the real-life stories inspiring her work, and practical strategies caregivers can use to bring arts engagement into dementia care—at home or in care facilities.

Whether you’re navigating Alzheimer’s in your family, working in dementia care, or seeking creative approaches to foster dignity and connection, this episode is filled with inspiring insights and actionable tips.

Key Topics Covered:

• Dementia Care & the Arts: Mary describes how music, visual art, dance, storytelling, and poetry can spark joy, communication, and connection for people living with dementia.
• How the Arts Can Reduce Isolation: Real examples showing that engaging in the arts can counteract boredom, boost mood, and foster community in care settings.
• Art Activities for Caregivers: Practical advice and encouragement for caregivers to use arts engagement at home—even if you don’t see yourself as an artist!
• Readings from the Film: Moving excerpts from Mary’s poetry, capturing the emotional landscape of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Quotes:

• “Everyone should be engaged in the arts to whatever level, because it’s so beneficial to heart and mind and life.” – Mary Crescenzo
• “Boredom is huge. People decline when they’re bored. But you give them something creative, they light up.” – Marianne Sciucco
• “You don’t have to be an artist to make a difference – just pick up a pencil, sing together, or sway to music.” - Mary Crescenzo

Takeaways:

• Try simple creative activities—drawing, music, singing, storytelling—regularly, not just once.
• Don’t let fear or “not being an artist” stop you. The benefits are in doing, not perfection.
• Engaging in the arts brings meaning, dignity, and even joy to those living with dementia.
• The arts can transform not only the person with dementia but also relieve and uplift caregivers.
• Seek out support, community, and inspiration—you are not alone!

Resources and Links:

• Watch "Planet A" – available until year-end on YouTube. Register at AlzAuthors.com to receive link
• Buy Mary Crescenzo’s Book: "The Planet Alzheimer’s Guide – 8 Ways the Arts Can Transform the Life of Your Loved One and Your Own" on Amazon
• Visit AlzAuthors Website for a wealth of caregiver resources
• Learn about Creative Writing Workshops for Caregivers: Contact Mary Crescenzo
• Subscribe to our Podcast: Available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio and more.
• Follow AlzAuthors on Social: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter/X and Blue Sky for daily support, book recommendations, and community stories.

Don’t miss our continuing film festival—visit our website for upcoming screenings, panel discussions, and more creative resources for the dementia journey.

If you found this episode helpful, subscribe, share, and leave us a review! For more stories and support, visit alzauthors.com.

Meet the Moderators

Marianne Sciucco

Christy Byrne Yates

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.

Proud to be a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast

Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know

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In a conversation that challenges stereotypes and brings to light the unexpected realities of caregiving, this episode reveals the experiences of three men who stepped up to care for their mothers with dementia. It's a heartfelt exploration of grief, growth, and the bonds that are both tested and strengthened through caregiving.

Shattering Stereotypes: Men as Caregivers

We often associate caregiving with daughters, wives, and sisters, yet over 40% of caregivers are men. Many of them, like guests David Bredbenner, Alfredo Botello, and Vincent Zappacosta, find themselves in this role simply because "there really was no other option." Their stories reveal that caregiving isn’t just a woman’s job—it’s a human one.

Vincent shares, “My mother and I were always close and I just didn’t trust anyone else to take care of her, because nobody knew her as well as I did.” David talks about “reacting, firefighting, and suddenly you’re just drawn in, and before you know it, it becomes part of your routine.” Alfredo, navigating life as an only child, speaks honestly about how necessity and love for his mother collided the moment his stepfather passed away.

Lifestyle Overhauls and Personal Sacrifice

For each son, caring for their mothers led to seismic shifts in their daily lives. Plans are always tentative, boundaries are tested, and a new form of “parenting” emerges. As Alfredo vividly describes: “Nobody told me growing up that I'd have another kid in my 50s—only she’d be in her 80s and have opinions!” From rearranging work schedules to leaving reassuring Post-its for an anxious parent, the logistics become second nature, though the emotional toll lingers.

The men openly discuss balancing frustration, guilt, and even resentment with deep love. They offer comfort in recognizing that no one is “superhuman”: “It’s almost like we do expect ourselves to be perfect...and that never happened,” Christy reflects.

While the stories in “Sons Caring for Mothers” circle around men, the lessons ring true for anyone on a caregiving journey. There are no perfect solutions, only the imperfect, beautiful bonds of love, memory, and forgiveness.

After the Podcast

Learn more about David, Vincent, and Alfredo and purchase their books here.

Learn about the Moderators

Marianne Sciucco

Christy Byrne Yates

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.

Thanks for listening.

We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network

Find us on The World Podcast Network and babyboomer.org

Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know.

We’ve got merch! Shop our Store

Join AlzAuthors Film Fest 2025 – Celebrating 10 Years of Dementia & Alzheimer’s Awareness

Experience powerful films on dementia, Alzheimer’s, and caregiving—stories of hope, love, and resilience.

Register now at AlzAuthors.com to receive streaming links and watch from the comfort of your home, anytime. Each month, meet a featured filmmaker in a live Q&A event at 2 PM ET, and explore their journey as storytellers and dementia care advocates.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Sept 8: Mary Crescenzo, “Planet A”

Find out more about Mary Crescenzo

https://alzauthors.com/alzheimers/mary-crescenzo-planet-alzheimers-guide/

Sept 22: Susie Singer Carter, “No Country For Old People”

Find out more about Susie Singer Carter

https://alzauthors.com/alzheimers/behind-the-scenes-of-nursing-homes-one-filmmakers-crusade-for-change-with-susie-singer-carter/

Oct. 6: Frank Silverstein, “Lousy: Love in the Time of Dementia”

Find out more about Frank Silverstein

https://alzauthors.com/dementia/frank-silverstein-lousy-love-in-the-time-of-dementia/

Nov 10: Kitty Norton., “Wine, Women and Dementia”

Find out more about Kitty Norton

https://alzauthors.com/alzheimers/please-join-us-next-month-at-the-2024-dementia-arts-festival-in-new-york-city/

Dec 8: C. Nathaniel Brown and his film, “The Present”

Find out more about C. Nathan Brown

 www.ExposeDementia.org

Join the Newsletter: 

https://sendfox.com/alzauthors

Learn about the Moderators

Marianne Sciucco

https://alzauthors.com/alzheimers/meet-marianne-sciucco-alzauthors-admin-and-author-of-blue-hydrangeas-an-alzheimers-love-story/

Christy Byrne Yates

https://alzauthors.com/books-chit-chat/christy-byrne-yates-on-raising-kids-while-caring-for-parents-with-dementia/

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: https://alzauthors.com/donate

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.Thanks for listening.

We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network

Find us on The World Podcast Network

Want to be on the podcast?

Here’s what you need to know:   

We’ve got merch! Shop our Store 

Caregiving isn’t always a storybook journey, especially when family ties are already frayed. In this candid, emotionally charged episode, Jennifer Sullivan joins Christy Byrne Yates and Jean Lee, an acquisitions editor at AlzAuthors, to share her raw and inspiring account of caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s—through complicated family dynamics, financial crises, and the unique heartbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discover how Jennifer turned deep childhood wounds and a rocky mother-daughter relationship into unexpected healing and clarity. Hear about her struggles with sibling responsibility, navigating Medicaid and memory care, and finally, the bittersweet reconnection with her mom just as the world—and their contact—shut down. Jennifer and the hosts dive deep into how dementia can shift family roles and reveal unspoken truths, the unexpected gifts that can emerge from even the most difficult relationships, and the importance of self-compassion on the caregiving journey.

Top Takeaways:

• Navigating Dementia With a Difficult Parent
• Jennifer’s memoir explores caring for a parent when love is complicated by past betrayals and painful memories.
• Unfiltered Look at Sibling Dynamics
• Learn how sibling estrangement and differing responsibilities can complicate caregiving, and how to cope when support isn't reciprocal
• COVID’s Impact on Alzheimer’s Families
• A gripping account of forced separation, window visits, and the heartache—and hope—of loving at a distance.
• Finding Redemption and Healing Through Care
• Jennifer’s story proves that deep wounds can sometimes make way for unexpected healing, hope, and even joy.
• Actionable Advice for Caregivers
• Insights on navigating social services, setting boundaries, and the importance of storytelling and journaling for resilience.

Memorable Quotes:

“All the pressure I put on myself was taken away...not being afraid to just love has been one of the biggest gifts.”

Where to Find Jennifer:

• Website: JENNSULL.com
• Instagram
• Book: When the Window Closes

Connect with AlzAuthors:

• Subscribe to the Podcast
• Join the Newsletter
• Follow on YouTube
• Support With a Donation

Learn about the Moderators

Marianne Sciucco

Christy Byrne Yates

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: https://alzauthors.com/donate

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.

Thanks for listening.

We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network

Find us on The World Podcast Network and babyboomer.org

Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know:  

We've got merch! Shop our Store

In this eye-opening episode, Christy and Marianne welcome back the formidable advocate, filmmaker, and podcast host Susie Singer Carter. Known for her poignant short film My Mom and the Girl —inspired by her experiences with her mother’s Alzheimer’s and starring the late beloved television actress Valerie Harper - and her award-winning podcast, “Love Conquers ALZ,” Susie shared details of her latest project, No Country for Old People, a stirring docuseries set to premiere on Amazon Prime August 1st.

The conversation delves into the often-unseen challenges families face when loved ones require long-term or memory care. Despite finding what she believed was a 5-star facility for her mother, Susie encountered heartbreaking realities: inadequate care, chemical restraints, and a systemic unwillingness to change.

As Susie recounted, “Most documentaries are labors of love. They’re not money makes. If you choose to do a documentary, it’s because you really care.” Her commitment shows not only in her work but in her partnership with retired federal prosecutor Rick Mountcastle (Dopesick), who spent decades investigating and prosecuting elder care fraud and neglect. Their collaboration—and the nearly 100 interviews with families, doctors, and whistleblowers—revealed this crisis is widespread, persistent, and demands urgent reform.

Processing her own trauma, Susie found motivation in community and collective action. Inspired by the lack of real change through traditional advocacy, she and her partners founded ROAR—Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, and Reform for long-term care. “Any hard issue in our society has been overcome by the collective. That’s our power,” Susie urges. She invites everyone to join the movement, harnessing the “power of love” to demand oversight and expose the veiled corporate interests prioritizing profits over people. Join the movement nocountryforoldpeople.com and learn about ROAR.

No Country for Old People will be featured in the AlzAuthors Fall Film Festival 2025 — sign up for our newsletter for details as they come out.

Mentioned Resources

• No Country for Old People docuseries: NoCountryForOldPeople.com
• Learn about ROAR and get involved: Via the website above
• AlzAuthors Film Festival Info & Newsletter Signup: AlzAuthors.com
• Susie’s other works:
• My Mom and the Girl 
• Love Conquers ALZ and wherever you listen to podcasts

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.

Please help: 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.

Learn about the Moderators

Marianne Sciucco

Christy Byrne Yates

Thanks for listening.

We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network

Find us on The World Podcast Network and babyboomer.org

Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know.

We’ve got merch! Shop our Store

In this powerful episode, Marianne Sciucco welcomes back friend of the podcast Lance A. Slatton, owner/operator of Enriched Life Home Care Services in Livonia, Michigan and host of the award-winning podcast All Home Care Matters. Together, they dive into Lance’s recent experience attending the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s National Convening in Washington, DC, a major advocacy event supporting family caregivers, especially those caring for veterans and individuals with dementia. Tune in to hear insights into the unique challenges facing dementia caregivers, the extraordinary resources offered for military families, and the critical intersection of policy and real-world caregiving support.

Key Discussion Topics:

Caregiver Resources & Advocacy: Learn about the work of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, which addresses the needs of military and veteran caregivers, and their innovative programs like Hidden Heroes and Hidden Helpers—designed for caregiving children & youth.

Dementia & Veteran Care: Hear firsthand stories and the reality of caregiving for those with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and traumatic brain injuries—many of whom are combat veterans.

National Policies Affecting Caregivers: Discover how public policy, including the recent Dole Act, directly impacts the resources and benefits available to caregivers and veterans. Hear how bipartisan efforts can drive real, meaningful change.

Personal Journeys & Real Stories: Hear inspiring and emotional examples of caregiving from Lance, Marianne, and other leaders in the field—including Medal of Honor recipients and Dole Fellows who advocate tirelessly for America’s caregivers.

Work-Life Balance for Family Caregivers:

Insightful discussion around the career challenges caregivers face, the importance of caregiver-friendly employers, and the impact caregiving can have on personal and professional lives.

Resources Mentioned

• Elizabeth Dole Foundation – Programs for military, veteran, and dementia caregivers (Hidden Heroes, Hidden Helpers, Dole Fellows)
• VA Caregiver Support Program – Resources for those caring for veterans
• All Home Care Matters Podcast – Winner of the Silver Creator Award and other accolades
• All Home Care Matters Official Family Caregiver Guide – A practical map for caregivers; available on the AlzAuthors.com website: Lance A. Slatton Book
• Also available at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and allhomecarematters.com,

Learn about the Moderator

Marianne Sciucco

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.

Thanks for listening.

We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network

Find us on The World Podcast Network and babyboomer.org

Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know:   

We’ve got merch! Shop our Store 

In this heartwarming episode, Jean Lee, AlzAuthors founder and author of Alzheimer’s Daughter, joins us to discuss her personal journey of caring for both of her parents after their simultaneous Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Jean shares how she journaled her family’s dementia journey, the emotional process of turning those notes into a memoir, and the discovery of her parents’ World War II love letters during the difficult process of moving them into memory care. The conversation covers crucial topics facing caregivers—navigating diagnoses, managing moves to different care facilities, supporting siblings at a distance, and confronting the emotions tied to sharing private family stories.

Listeners will also hear about the importance of community, storytelling, and connecting with others who understand life on the dementia journey. Plus, don’t miss Jean’s poignant reading of her parents’ correspondence and practical tips for families facing similar challenges.

What You’ll Hear In This Episode:

• Hear Jean’s personal story of caring for both parents, who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s on the same day. Learn how her experience as a “hometown daughter” shaped her perspective on dementia and caregiving.
• Jean shares how a simple journal became an essential tool for tracking her parents’ symptoms, achieving an earlier diagnosis, and eventually forming the backbone of her memoir.
• Discover the emotional and logistical challenges of transitioning parents with dementia into assisted living and secure memory care, and hear practical advice on how to handle repeated moves.
• An honest discussion about the moment of diagnosis—how doctors communicate difficult news, and what families can do when left with more questions than answers.
• Jean recounts the touching discovery of her parents’ WWII love letters and how these preserved memories added richness and hope to her storytelling.
• Explore what keeps couples bonded through the trials of Alzheimer’s, and how caregivers can find strength in family history and shared memories.
• From note-taking systems to balancing a full-time career with caregiving, Jean offers actionable strategies for dementia caregivers.

After the Podcast

Purchase “Alzheimer’s Daughter”

Read one of Jean’s many blog posts

Listen to another podcast featuring Jean Lee

Learn about the Moderators

Marianne Sciucco

Christy Byrne Yates

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.

Thanks for listening.

We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network

Find us on The World Podcast Network and babyboomer.org

Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know.

We’ve got merch! Shop our Store

Poet Marjorie Maddox and acquisitions editor Sheila Luna join host Marianne Sciucco to discuss the healing power of poetry, the realities of long-distance caregiving, and finding hope through the complexities of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Maddox’s, recent collection, Seeing Things, explores the tangled emotional landscape of dementia caregiving. The discussion examines the ways poetry can illuminate and comfort those touched by memory loss. Marjorie reads several of the poems, a gift to all .

The conversation moves beyond the personal to the universal. Marjorie shares that many poems in Seeing Things draw on her caregiving experiences for her mother, who lived with dementia, as well as her supportive role with her father-in-law—both journeys complicated by long distance and pandemic separation. As Marjorie admits, “You do feel so isolated when you’re going through it,” but the overlap in experience and shared vulnerabilities make poetry a communal space for catharsis. Poems in the collection touch not just on family memories but also larger societal losses—mass shootings and cave rescues—drawing lines between personal and collective grieving.

Marianne and Marjorie bring up a topic rarely discussed: the fractured roles in family caregiving, particularly for long-distance caregivers. Marjorie, based in Pennsylvania, supported her mother by daily phone calls and periodic visits, while her sister managed in-person care in Phoenix. Meanwhile, her brother handled the finances. These divisions, while pragmatic, often go unrecognized, and both the emotional and practical burdens can be immense.

The episode closes on the essential role of poetry—and storytelling—in chronicling caregiving journeys and connecting with others who walk a similar path. Whether it’s through a poem, a book, advocacy, or acts of compassionate service, these stories, hard-won and deeply personal, help others feel less alone. As Marjorie shares: “Being there for those little moments…even when you don’t feel like you’re doing anything, just holding someone’s hand… still does a lot.” And, perhaps, reading or writing poetry about those moments offers a light, a “slice of joy,” for a world too often shaped by loss.

After the Podcast

Purchase Seeing Things

Learn about the Moderators

Marianne Sciucco

Sheila Luna

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.

Thanks for listening.

We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network

Find us on The World Podcast Network and babyboomer.org

Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know.

We've got merch! Shop our Store

Poet Marjorie Maddox and acquisitions editor Sheila Luna join host Marianne Sciucco to discuss the healing power of poetry, the realities of long-distance caregiving, and finding hope through the complexities of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Maddox’s, recent collection, Seeing Things, explores the tangled emotional landscape of dementia caregiving. The discussion examines the ways poetry can illuminate and comfort those touched by memory loss. Marjorie reads several of the poems, a gift to all .

Personal Stories Woven with Universal Truths

The conversation moves beyond the personal to the universal. Marjorie shares that many poems in Seeing Things draw on her caregiving experiences for her mother, who lived with dementia, as well as her supportive role with her father-in-law—both journeys complicated by long distance and pandemic separation. As Marjorie admits, “You do feel so isolated when you’re going through it,” but the overlap in experience and shared vulnerabilities make poetry a communal space for catharsis. Poems in the collection touch not just on family memories but also larger societal losses—mass shootings and cave rescues—drawing lines between personal and collective grieving.

The Unspoken Challenges of Long-Distance and Sibling Care

Marianne and Marjorie bring up a topic rarely discussed: the fractured roles in family caregiving, particularly for long-distance caregivers. Marjorie, based in Pennsylvania, supported her mother by daily phone calls and periodic visits, while her sister managed in-person care in Phoenix. Meanwhile, her brother handled the finances. These divisions, while pragmatic, often go unrecognized, and both the emotional and practical burdens can be immense.

Why Poetry Matters in Dementia Care

The episode closes on the essential role of poetry—and storytelling—in chronicling caregiving journeys and connecting with others who walk a similar path. Whether it’s through a poem, a book, advocacy, or acts of compassionate service, these stories, hard-won and deeply personal, help others feel less alone. As Marjorie shares: “Being there for those little moments…even when you don’t feel like you’re doing anything, just holding someone’s hand… still does a lot.” And, perhaps, reading or writing poetry about those moments offers a light, a “slice of joy,” for a world too often shaped by loss.

After the Podcast

Purchase “Seeing Things”

Learn about the Moderators

Marianne Sciucco

Christy Byrne Yates

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.

Thanks for listening.

We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network

Find us on The World Podcast Network and babyboomer.org

Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know

We’ve got merch! Shop our Store

This podcast brought together two remarkable friends—Peter Berry and Deb Bunt—for a conversation that was as inspiring as it was deeply honest. Hosted by Marianne Sciucco and Christy Byrne Yates, the discussion explored not only the personal journeys and books of Peter and Deb, but also the profound insights they’ve gained into living well with dementia.

Peter's journey began with a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 50. As a successful business owner, he was shocked—and initially devastated—by the news. He shares openly about the dark period following his diagnosis, describing it as “a year of hell,” marked by depression and even suicide attempts. What’s remarkable, though, is how Peter transformed that despair into a renewed sense of purpose. Inspired by both his own experience and his father’s long journey with Alzheimer’s, Peter resolved to become a source of hope and understanding for others facing similar challenges.

Enter Deb Bunt, Peter’s cycling buddy-turned-co-author and close friend. Their relationship is a beautiful demonstration of how support doesn’t just flow one way. As Deb and Peter describe it, they each bring unique strengths to the friendship: Deb provides companionship and boundless camaraderie, while Peter offers technical know-how and navigational skills. Together, they reinforce the idea that living well with dementia is as much about mutual support and meaning as it is about medical care.

This mutuality spills into their advocacy efforts—travelling throughout the UK, speaking at events, and writing books together.

Their creative journey produced two books so far: Slow Puncture, a memoir of Peter’s life post-diagnosis, and Walk With Me: Musings Through the Dementia Fog, a collection of Peter’s raw and poetic reflections. Deb explained how Peter’s poetic descriptions became the muse for her own long-harbored ambitions to write, and how collecting Peter’s texts and turning them into a book gave both of them a sense of validation and purpose.

These works don’t just recount Peter’s experiences; they offer a window into his emotional landscape—with metaphors that make the inexplicable aspects of dementia relatable. For Peter, cycling is like “a balloon that takes me high into the sky”—a momentary escape from the limitations of his diagnosis.

Read their books:

• Slow Puncture
• Walk With Me

Watch “The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes” 

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.

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