Answers For Elders Radio Network

Alexis Bonoff, Program Director of the Alzheimer's Association in Washington state, joins Suzanne to talk about the Walk to End Alzheimer's and various programs and resources of the Alzheimer's Association.

Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900.

Hear more podcasts about the Walks: https://answersforelders.com/tag/alzheimers-walks/

* Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cory Townsend, Director of Development for the Alzheimers Association, Washington branch, joins Suzanne to talk about fundraising for the Walk to End Alzheimer's. In this segment, Cory provides advice for people who feel uncomfortable asking people to donate.

Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900.

Hear more podcasts about the Walks: https://answersforelders.com/tag/alzheimers-walks/

* Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cory Townsend, Director of Development for the Alzheimers Association, Washington branch, joins Suzanne to talk about fundraising for the Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900.

Hear more podcasts about the Walks: https://answersforelders.com/tag/alzheimers-walks/

* Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cory Townsend, Director of Development for the Alzheimers Association, Washington branch, joins Suzanne to talk about the Walk to End Alzheimer's. This segment focuses on employers beginning to adapt to the needs of family members caregiving for a senior loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia.

Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900.

Hear more podcasts about the Walks: https://answersforelders.com/tag/alzheimers-walks/

* Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cory Townsend, Director of Development for the Alzheimers Association, Washington branch, joins Suzanne to talk about the Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900.

Hear more podcasts about the Walks: https://answersforelders.com/tag/alzheimers-walks/

* Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Therapy animals make a difference in the lives of people with Alzheimer's and dementia. Washington Therapy Dogs' manager Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne to talk about the science and successes of therapy dogs. Episodes this month support the Walk to End Alzheimer's.

She mentions the article "Pet Power" on the Alzheimer's Association's website https://www.alz.org/news/2023/pet-power. The article says, "Animal therapy is an accessible and inexpensive practice that has been shown to provide a wide variety of behavioral and emotional benefits for people living with dementia. The Alzheimer's Association Dementia Care Practice Recommendations — guidelines that set the standard for person-centered quality care — cite several studies that assess the effects of regular engagement with both living and robotic animals. The therapy has been shown to improve mood and facilitate social interaction. It can also have a calming effect that helps with dementia-related behavioral problems, and increase physical activity in people living with dementia."

To collaborate or learn more about dog training in the U.S., visit watherapydogs.com. Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. 

Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 100 therapy dogs and their handlers have joined Answers for Elder's Washington Therapy Dogs group to visit senior living communities and bring joy to those with Alzheimer's and dementia. Manager Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne to talk about the process of going about training your pet to become a therapy dog. Episodes this month support the Walk to End Alzheimer's.

The group started during the pandemic. Marlina says, "There are no required prerequisites to go in for an evaluation with any organizations listed on the American Kennel Club's website, but many recommend basic obedience. They have a program called CGC, or Canine Good Citizen. There are extensions to that, one called Urban and the other is Community, and that gives more skills to learn, an essential foundation."

To collaborate or learn more about dog training in the U.S., visit watherapydogs.com. Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. 

Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supporting the Walk to End Alzheimer's, this episode is about animal-assisted intervention for those with Alzheimer's and dementia, specifically therapy animals. Washington Therapy Dogs' manager Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne to talk about a therapy dog team formed as an extension of Answers for Elders.

In this segment, Marlina talks about seniors with Alzheimer's who have their own pets.

To collaborate or learn more about dog training in the U.S., visit watherapydogs.com. Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. 

Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are pet therapies, and why are they important in the world of Alzheimer's? Washington Therapy Dogs' manager Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne for September's conversations about the Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Marlina says, "I saw some photos of Suzanne and her dog Whidbey going to a senior community on a Facebook group, and I was so touched by that. I started to volunteer in Seattle at a local community. It all came together, I got a dog, she's a puppy. I saw those photos, and saw the positive impact they had on the residents, and bam, I'm doing that!"

When she visits a memory care facility, they do one-on-ones with her dog, but mostly does groups. Marlina says, "We go in and bring our cadre, other volunteers, another two or three and their dogs, and there are maybe 30 residents, all in one room, maybe an atrium. So we approach them. And the looks on their faces! I cry a lot, tears of joy. Their transformation, facial expressions, their energy level – and they're talking!"

To collaborate or learn more about dog training in the U.S., visit watherapydogs.com. Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. 

Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Walk to End Alzheimer's is the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research. Sign up as a Team Captain, join a team or walk as an individual. This month, Answers for Elders supports the Walks and fundraising for the Alzheimer's Association. This episode, we feature an interview conducted in September 2019 with Scott Houghton, regional director of operations at Fieldstone Communities, a major sponsor of the Alzheimer’s Walks in Washington.

Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at the 24/7 Alzheimer's help line at 800-272-3900. Visit Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch at https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research progress/clinical-trials/trialmatch to connect those living with Alzheimer's, caregivers, and healthy volunteers to clinical trials that may advance Alzheimer's.

Hear more podcasts about the Walks: https://answersforelders.com/tag/alzheimers-walks/

Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.