Awkward Story: A Dementia Podcast

Maggie and Thomas had the opportunity to interview guys Ryan Glatt, Bsc. Exercise Science, NSCA-CPT. Ryan Glatt is a trainer and brain-health coach with over a decade of experience in the health & fitness industry. He currently works alongside clinicians and researchers to study the effects of cognitively-enhanced and comprehensive exercise plans at the Pacific Brain Health Center.  Ryan has pursued education from the Amen Clinics, The BrainFirst Training Institute, the Neuroscience Academy, the Academy for Brain Health & Performance and, the Master's of Applied Neuroscience program at King's College of London.

This past month, Thomas and Maggie had the honor of interviewing Dr. Anne Basting regarding her new book, "Creative Care: A Revolutionary Approach to Dementia and Elder Care." Dr. Basting, a MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, discusses her work as a creative gerontologist, and her role as a family member impacted by dementia. She also addresses the COVID crisis and the changing care landscape in the U.S.   All ASDP listeners are encouraged to read her book, watch this Ted Talk, and check out the myriad resources created by her team at Time Slips.  But first.... before doing any of that, those listeners should listen to this incredible interview.

Maggie and Thomas interview Kelly Takasu, the Public Policy Manager for Alzheimer's Los Angeles. She discusses the implementation of Dementia Friendly Communities particularly in the Los Angeles area, as well as Age Friendly initiatives in the region.

Anne Ellett is a certified nurse practitioner with extensive experience in all aspects of dementia care, and the founder of Memory Care Support. In this interview, Anne discusses the Best Life Memory Care Approach, which she developed and continues to teach for the Green House Project. 

Mike Belleville was 52 years old when he was first given a dementia diagnosis. He retired at the age of 54 after being diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia. Mike was a telecommunications technician for nearly 20 years and also served in the Rhode Island Air National Guard for 12 years. After realizing that he could still contribute in a meaningful way, Mike became an advocate for those living with dementia. He currently serves on the Dementia Action Alliance's Board of Advisors.

Mike was gracious enough to speak with us about his experience as a young person living with dementia.

Earlier this month, Maggie had the opportunity to interview Ted Werth concerning his work in the field of memory care and aging.  Ted Werth is the Head of Corporate Development and Research for MyndVR, a digital health company providing Virtual Reality recreation and therapy to the booming population of older adults. Ted has previously co-founded several startups in the tech, content, and social media worlds and is now applying his experiences to improving the lives of our senior population.

Maggie and Thomas interviewed Jackie Pinkowitz, who discussed the ongoing work and mission of the Dementia Action Alliance. Ms Pinkowitz earned her Master's degree in Education from Rutgers University and holds advanced certification in special needs populations.  She was a primary family caregiver to her mother and father-in-law who both had dementia.  She is Board Chair of the Dementia Action Alliance and speaks at national, state and local conferences and forums to advance inclusion and "living fully with dementia".

Maggie and Thomas recently interviewed Gary Glazner, founder and Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Poetry Project (APP).  In this podcast, Gary explores the power of the arts in empowering individuals with a dementia diagnosis. Throughout the conversation, the group discusses the significance of creativity, ambiguity, expression, and sensory stimulation for these individuals and their families. 

Established in 2013, the APP attempts "to improve the quality of life of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia by facilitating creative expression through poetry."  APP was the recipient of the 2013, Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving Legacy Award, as well as the 2012 MetLife Foundation Creativity and Aging in America Leadership Award, in the category of Community Engagement. In 2013, the National Endowment for the Arts listed the APP as a “best practice.”  

Mr. Glazner is also the author of “Dementia Arts: Celebrating Creativity in Elder Care,” on Health Professionals Press, 2014. Additionally, his work has been published by Harper Collins, W.W. Norton and Salon.com.  Per the APP website,  programming has reached 26 states domestically, as well as Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Poland, and South Korea, serving over 35,000 people living with dementia.

This week, Thomas and Maggie interviewed Reverend Jeanne Phillips, a Hospice Spiritual Care Counselor. Jeanne discusses the various manifestations of spiritual care, and how meaningful it can be for individuals with a dementia diagnosis, particularly at the end of life.  

​Reverend Jeanne Phillips has been working as a Hospice Chaplain/Spiritual Care Counselor at LightBridge Hospice in San Diego for 10 years, providing spiritual and emotional support for patients with terminal illnesses and their families. She also serves as Staff Minister at Vision Center for Spiritual Living, leading the Compassionate Care Ministry as well as teaching, guest speaking and supporting the Communications Ministry.  She has worked in the Chaplaincy field for more than 15 years and completed 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education in 2009. She has been a licensed spiritual counselor since 1996 and became a CSL Minister in 2013 after earning her MA degree in Consciousness Studies at the Holmes Institute, Centers of Spiritual Living. 

This week's interview is with Nancy Schier Anzelmo, MSG, and Paula Hertel, MSW, co-founders of Connected Horse. Nancy and Paula are long-time professionals in the field of dementia care, and they recently turned their collective focus toward equine-guided workshops. According to their website, Connected Horse "offers human-animal connection, engagement and understanding" through innovative workshops that engage the individual, their caretaker, and the horse. This research-based workshop provides space for learning and engagement that the pair would otherwise not have in their home environment, opening both to a unique experience each time.

Fun Fact: Paula Hertel is also the Chair of the Board for the Presence Care Project, which we featured in our podcast interview with Ymkje Dioquino, MS, LMFT, the COO of the Presence Care Project.