Jennifer Fink is an author, professional portrait photographer, and host of the Fading Memories Podcast, a show designed to provide support to caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. As the daughter, grand-daughter, and great grand-daughter of three women with Alzheimer's or other cognitive impairment disorders, Jennifer is passionate about helping the caregiver community through her favorite media platform.

 

Jennifer joins us today to discuss how dogs can help Alzheimer's patients and caregivers and what inspired her to launch her podcast. We discuss the science behind Alzheimer's disease and it's connection with other diseases, such as gingivitis, herpes, and Parkinson's. We discuss the traits dogs need before beginning service dog training for Alzheimer's patients as well as the type of behaviors these service dogs could help mitigate. We also discuss how assisted living and nursing home facilities could benefit from having an Alzheimer's dog at their facility.

 

 

 

"For people taking care of their family members with Alzheimer's, I think, a dog could be a huge help." - Jennifer Fink

 

 

 

This week on Dogs in the News:

 

• The high rate of Alzheimer's diagnoses and it's emotional impact on families and communities.
• What inspired Jennifer to launch a support podcast on Alzheimer's disease.
• What prion diseases are and why Ben suspects there is a link between them and Alzheimer's disease.
• Why it's critical for Alzheimer's patients - and their family members - to replace sugar intake, maintain good oral health, and increase Omega-3 fatty acid intake.
• The traits dogs need to be considered for K9 caregiver training.
• How search and rescue dogs could help track lost family members with Alzheimer's.
• The difference between a trailing dog and a tracking dog.
• The relationship between Parkinson's disease and dementia.
• How service dogs can help early-onset Alzheimer's patients.
• How Alzheimer's dogs can detect and help mitigate combative behavior in Alzheimer's patients.
• The pros and cons of assisted living and nursing home facilities using service dogs to help Alzheimer's patients.
• What Sundowner's Syndrome is and how a service dog can help mitigate the confusion associated with it.
• The emotional challenge many families face when deciding to seek outside help to care for their loved one with Alzheimer's disease.

 

 

Resources Mentioned:

 

• Fading Memories Podcast: #YouGiveACare? - Millennials Caregiving Community
• Alzheimer's Association
• com: The New Breed of Service Dog: Canine Caregivers for Dementia and Alzheimer's Patients
• The "Canine Good Citizen" Test May Harm Dogs (and People) - Psychology Today
• Animal Health Foundation Blog: Dementia service dog improves life of Alzheimer's patient
• International Assistance Dog Week
• Assistance Dogs International

 

 

This Week's Product for Man's Best Friend:

 

• Nature's Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover Spray

 

 

Connect with Jennifer Fink:

 

• Fading Memories Podcast

 

 

 

 

 

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Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Dogs in the News, the show for dog lovers, by dog lovers dedicated to bringing you stories in the news about man's best friend. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. Don't forget to visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for even more stories about man's best friend.

 

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