Join us on Full Circle for an insightful conversation with Carrie Aalberts, widely known as the Dementia Darling — gerontologist, dementia educator, and passionate caregiver advocate. Drawing on over a decade of hands-on experience and a deeply personal connection to dementia, Carrie brings warmth, expertise, and radical honesty to one of the most overlooked conversations in healthcare. In this episode, she breaks down the realities of the U.S. senior care system, the emotional toll on professional caregivers, and the exciting wave of technology transforming dementia care. Whether you're a family caregiver, a healthcare professional, or simply planning ahead, this conversation will change how you see dementia.

0:00 Introduction — Meet Carrie Aalberts, the Dementia Darling

0:20 Full-Time Dementia Educator, Advocate & Social Media Influencer

0:42 A Personal Story — Her Grandmother's Diagnosis

1:03 Taking Dementia Awareness to Social Media

2:57 Her First Job — Intergenerational Adult Daycare

3:50 Adult Daycare vs. 24/7 Memory Care Facilities

4:28 The Broken U.S. Senior Care System

5:40 The Painful Realities of Professional Caregiving

7:14 Technology Innovations in Dementia Care

8:58 VR and Engagement Tech for Advanced Dementia

9:39 Carrie's Work with AARP AgeTech Collaborative

10:32 What To Do When You First Receive a Diagnosis

12:51 Genetics, Lifestyle & Brain Health in Prevention

14:04 The Link Between Heart Health and Brain Health

14:20 Dementia Is Not a Single Disease — Here's What It Really Is

Guest: Carrie Aalberts, MS | Dementia Darling