Brain Talk | Being Patient for Alzheimer's Patients and Caregivers

James Russell, whose daughter Lynne Russell is living with early-onset Alzheimer's, shares his family's story of love, care and resilience.   For more about James' blog: https://neverthelessdementiawepersist.com/ We rely on donations to bring you the latest research on dementia and brain health and to support our amazing team of independent journalists. Please consider donating to support of our mission of giving people impacted by dementia a better resource and connection to experts at the forefront of research. Our audience has grown so rapidly; we have exciting plans for the future to enhance our coverage even further but we need your help. Please consider making a contribution to help fund Being Patient's editorial costs. https://beingpatient.nationbuilder.com/

Being Patient speaks with Chuck McClatchey about the keys for adapting to a diagnosis of Alzheimer's and related dementias, his early symptoms of the disease, and how he has found hope and inspiration as a dementia advocate.   We rely on donations to bring you the latest research on dementia and brain health and to support our amazing team of independent journalists. Please consider donating to support of our mission of giving people impacted by dementia a better resource and connection to experts at the forefront of research. Our audience has grown so rapidly; we have exciting plans for the future to enhance our coverage even further but we need your help. Please consider making a contribution to help fund Being Patient's editorial costs. https://beingpatient.nationbuilder.com/

Neuroscientist Mark Mattson of Johns Hopkins University shares his insights on what we know and don’t know about intermittent fasting’s effects for our brain health.

Being Patient speaks with Dave Iverson, author of the memoir Winter Stars: An Elderly Mother, an Aging Son, and Life’s Final Journey (March 2022), about his experience caring for his mother Adelaide Iverson during her journey with dementia.  On Dave's book: https://daveiversonauthor.com/

A new documentary The Gerda That Remains chronicles the life of Gerda Saunders, who was diagnosed with cerebral microvascular disease, a precursor of vascular dementia, at the age of 61 in 2011. Being Patient catches up with her and her husband Peter Saunders nearly three years since we first spoke with Gerda.  

Patti LaFleur sees her relationship with her mother Linda LaTurner as a partnership. LaFleur cares for her mother full-time, and she describes LaTurner as someone who is always giving back, even if it’s with something as simple as a smile. For LaFleur, 35, looking after her mother is a chance to return the unwavering love and care that LaTurner, 73, gave in raising her.  In Being Patient’s LiveTalk series, LaFleur, a former kindergarten teacher, shares her fellowship with LaTurner in journeying through dementia, and her advice for finding joy, support and time for self-care as a caregiver.

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Steph Jagger, author of Everything Left to Remember: My Mother, Our Memories, and a Journey Through the Rocky Mountains (April 2022), discusses her family’s experience with her mother Sheila Jagger’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2015. Reflecting on her road trip with Sheila 11 months after the diagnosis, Steph shares their adventure across three national parks and her guidance on traveling alongside a loved one with dementia. As Steph looks back on the family’s journey thus far, she speaks about grief, the process of letting go and embracing her mother’s reality.

Dennis speaks about his experience as a caregiver for his late wife Nancy, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in 2015, and his advocacy work both during and after his caregiving journey. Inspired to create safe and enjoyable dining experiences for people impacted by dementia, Dennis established the Central Florida Dementia-friendly Dining initiative. As the founder of Nana’s Books Foundation, which aims to educate youth about dementia and other disabilities, he honors Nancy’s legacy, her love of books and her career as a librarian.   Nana's Books Foundation: https://www.nanasbooks.org/. 

Contact [email protected] for more information and volunteer opportunities.   Central Florida Dementia-friendly Dining: https://www.centralfloridadementia-fr...

Keith Moreland, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and normal pressure hydrocephalus at the age of 57, speaks about looking beyond the shock and sorrow of his diagnoses, and making the best of the time that remains.

Concetta Tomaino, a pioneer in the field of music therapy, speaks about the science behind music therapy for dementia and other neurological conditions. Tomaino, executive director of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF), collaborated with the late neurologist Oliver Sacks in cofounding the nonprofit organization, and she shares her expert advice on effective music therapy for people living with dementia and their families.