Make Dementia Your B*tch!

Delusions are defined as "false beliefs," but these beliefs feel VERY real to people living with dementia. In this episode, I explain how delusions are different from hallucinations and illusions. I explain the 3 common types of delusions that you may encounter caring for a person living with dementia: persecutory (paranoid), jealousy, and scarcity. This content will help you develop strategies to understand and manage delusional behavior--which I explore in deeper detail during the next podcast, "Episode 43: Dementia Delusion Solutions."

My book, "Make Dementia Your B*tch! An Easy Guide to Understanding Dementia-related Behaviors" is now available on Amazon!  Order it here.

Love the podcast? Want to stay in the loop and snag information about free stuff and other offers in the podcast? Subscribe here

Frustrated with care refusals? Get your free copy of my checklist, “ Dementia Hacks: 15 Ways to Manage Dementia Care Refusals.”

Have a dementia question? Want to hear it answered on a future podcast? Email me: [email protected]

Looking for a community? I have my own Facebook page for dementia caregivers: Make Dementia Your B! 

#alzheimers #lewy body #frontotemporal #dementia #caregiving  #dementiabitch #delusions

“Is it safe for me to leave my loved one with dementia alone?”

This question popped up as I was working on a piece about caregiver self-care. Dementia caregivers constantly ask me “How do I take time for myself if I’m ‘on duty’ or ‘on call’ 24/7?” Most dementia caregivers know they need to take care of themselves, but they find themselves last on their lists because the needs of their loved ones seem greater than their needs. There are also times where the caregiver has to go somewhere, like a doctor’s appointment or to the hospital for a test, and taking the person living with dementia is not an option…and the person living with dementia is insistent that they can be left alone. Yes, you want to respect their wants and autonomy. The last thing you want to do is to put in place unnecessary restrictions. But how do you know if leaving them alone is safe?

My book, "Make Dementia Your B*tch! An Easy Guide to Understanding Dementia-related Behaviors" is now available on Amazon!  Order it here.

Love the podcast? Want to stay in the loop and snag information about free stuff and other offers in the podcast? Subscribe here

Frustrated with care refusals? Get your free copy of my checklist, “ Dementia Hacks: 15 Ways to Manage Dementia Care Refusals.”

Have a dementia question? Want to hear it answered on a future podcast? Email me: [email protected]

Looking for a community? I have my own Facebook page for dementia caregivers: Make Dementia Your B! 

#alzheimers #lewy body #frontotemporal #dementia #caregiving #care refusal #caregiving #dementiabitch #safety #supervision

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There is this belief that "good" caregivers keep their loved one living with dementia at home and "bad" caregivers move their loved one into care--into assisted living facilities, memory care units, nursing homes, etc. 

This belief is f*cking bullsh*t.

There are many reasons why home care may not be the safest situation, both for the caregiver and the person living with dementia. I talk about the obvious ones--like caregiver physical and mental health and unsafe behaviors. I also talk about topics that are rarely discussed, like caring for a toxic relative or  having zero aptitude for dementia caregiving. I also talk about ways to release caregiver guilt about placement. I want family caregivers to know that placement does not mean you failed. It does not mean you are a rotten son, daughter, partner, spouse, sibling or friend. It means that you are continuing to care for the person with dementia. You are looking for the best option for ALL concerned.

My book, "Make Dementia Your B*tch! An Easy-to-Understand Guide for Family Caregivers" is now available on Amazon!  Order it here.

Love the podcast? Want to stay in the loop and snag information about free stuff and other offers in the podcast? Subscribe here

Frustrated with care refusals? Get your free copy of my checklist, “ Dementia Hacks: 15 Ways to Manage Dementia Care Refusals.”

Have a dementia question? Want to hear it answered on a future podcast? Email me: [email protected]

Looking for a community? I have my own Facebook page for dementia caregivers: Make Dementia Your B! 

#alzheimers #lewy body #frontotemporal #dementia #caregiving #care refusal #caregiving #dementiabitch #guilt #placement

This episode is all about you, awesome caregivers!!! In this episode, I talk about common sources of dementia caregiver guilt, anxiety, and fear. As usual, I do more than talk about it--I provide some strategies for kicking these unhelpful feelings to the curb. I describe "good-enough caregiving" as a realistic way to approach those nagging thoughts around "Did I do everything I could to make them safe and happy?" and "Am I doing enough?" Join me for an uplifting episode aimed at improving your spirits!

My book, "Make Dementia Your B*tch! An Easy-to-Understand Guide for Family Caregivers" is now available on Amazon!  Order it here.

Love the podcast? Want to stay in the loop and snag information about free stuff and other offers in the podcast? Subscribe here

Frustrated with care refusals? Get your free copy of my checklist, “ Dementia Hacks: 15 Ways to Manage Dementia Care Refusals.”

Have a dementia question? Want to hear it answered on a future podcast? Email me: [email protected]

Looking for a community? I have my own Facebook page for dementia caregivers: Make Dementia Your B! 

#alzheimers #lewy body #frontotemporal #dementia #caregiving #care refusal #caregiving #dementiabitch #guilt

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a type of neurodegenerative disease that includes ongoing and worsening problems with memory. CTE has been depicted in movies and television episodes--but not accurately. In this podcast, Dr. Jablonski explains CTE and describes how it is like Alzheimer's dementia and how it is different. She also explains the confusion around traumatic brain injuries, CTE, and dementia. 

Here are the citations for the references she mentions:

MARTLAND HS. PUNCH DRUNK. JAMA. 1928;91(15):1103–1107. doi:10.1001/jama.1928.02700150029009

Mez J, Daneshvar DH, Abdolmohammadi B, Chua AS, Alosco ML, Kiernan PT, Evers L, Marshall L, Martin BM, Palmisano JN, Nowinski CJ, Mahar I, Cherry JD, Alvarez VE, Dwyer B, Huber BR, Stein TD, Goldstein LE, Katz DI, Cantu RC, Au R, Kowall NW, Stern RA, McClean MD, Weuve J, Tripodis Y, McKee AC. Duration of American Football Play and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Ann Neurol. 2020 Jan;87(1):116-131. doi: 10.1002/ana.25611. Epub 2019 Nov 23. PMID: 31589352; PMCID: PMC6973077.

Schwab N, Wennberg R, Grenier K, Tartaglia C, Tator C, Hazrati LN. Association of Position Played and Career Duration and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy at Autopsy in Elite Football and Hockey Players. Neurology. 2021 Apr 6;96(14):e1835-e1843. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000011668. Epub 2021 Feb 24. PMID: 33627496; PMCID: PMC8105967.

Associations between alcohol consumption and gray and white matter volumes in the UK Biobank (nature.com)

Serial longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging data indicate non‐linear regional gray matter volume recovery in abstinent alcohol‐dependent individuals - Durazzo - 2015 - Addiction Biology - Wiley Online Library

My book, "Make Dementia Your B*tch! An Easy-to-Understand Guide for Family Caregivers" is now available on Amazon! Order it here.

Love the podcast? Want to stay in the loop and snag information about free stuff and other offers in the podcast? Subscribe here

Frustrated with care refusals? Get your free copy of my checklist, “ Dementia Hacks: 15 Ways to Manage Dementia Care Refusals.”

Have a dementia question? Want to hear it answered on a future podcast? Email me: [email protected]

#alzheimers #lewy body #frontotemporal #dementia #caregiving #care refusal #caregiving #dementiabitch #CTE #TBI

Teens caring for parents living with dementia may feel alone and isolated. In today's podcast, I reach out to this segment of my audience. The resources for teens is geared to those teens caring for their grandparents. Caring for a parent with dementia is much different than caring for a grandparent. I provide explanations for some of the behaviors and helpful strategies for communicating with a parent living with dementia. All of the content is geared for teens and adolescents--12 and older. 

If you have a question about dementia care, email me: [email protected]. Yes, I really do answer my email!

Frustrated with care refusals? Go to https://makedmentiayourbitch.com for a free copy of my checklist, “ Dementia Hacks: 15 Ways to Manage Dementia Care Refusals.”

Loved the podcast? Want to stay in the loop and snag information about free stuff and other offers in my podcast? Subscribe here: https://7ba411eb.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAGRihMp3YCvMGUbK7usRQOWj7sPJgtULa2BGKd-Bz1zXOobcRoK_BmpIZ7tO_89zC37s-VQ-feGgjL1d18zXNJ7dJ4XCHO-kv2jkm0MNDnKX8yMHEPAp3Am0I5qef9EfoowOWKB-VuqT8Z8BgoVR8GUG0iU-qSsq2blFfDHufPg3DanXuySfS4XEyz4NqtRFOdMbUMF1zk4U

You can confidently manage dementia behaviors so that your life and the life of your loved one with dementia become easier and calmer. Check out different ways to learn how to handle many common (and not so common) dementia behaviors: https://dementiacentricsolutions.com

Are you a visual learning? Check out my YouTube channel, where I demonstrate strategies like bridging and chaining

Looking for a community? I have my own Facebook page for dementia caregivers: Make Dementia Your B! 

#alzheimers #lewy body #frontotemporal #dementia #caregiving #carerefusal #caregiving  #teencaregivers

I answer a question from a listener about the need to relocate a family member living with dementia across the US. Air travel with someone who has moderate or moderately severe dementia is a daunting challenge. Listen for tips to make air travel easier.

MDYB Podcast Challenge Ends Friday, March 11 5 pm CT!!

· Rate and review my podcast on your favorite platform

· E-mail me a screenshot before Friday, March 11 at 5 pm central time US; if you want to game the system and rate and review on multiple platforms, go for it!

Email: [email protected]

· 3 winners will receive a signed, autographed copy of my book

· Winners will be announced during Episode 37 (which will be dropped Sunday, March 13 2022)

Check out my book, “Make Dementia Your B*tch! An Easy Guide to Understanding and Handling Dementia-driven Behaviors.”

Have a dementia question? Want to hear it answered on a future podcast? Email me: [email protected].

Are you a visual learning? Check out my YouTube channel, where I demonstrate strategies like bridging and chaining

Looking for a community? I have my own Facebook page for dementia caregivers: Make Dementia Your B! 

#alzheimers #lewy body #frontotemporal #dementia #caregiving #care refusal #caregiving #dementiabitch #travel #flying

I dive deep into four general categories of medications that are often prescribed for people living with dementia: antidepressants, mood stabilizers,  benzodiazepines (spoiler alert--not a good option), and antipsychotics. Learn why these medications are prescribed and what problems may happen when your family member takes them. This information is for educational use only. Consult your healthcare professional before making any medication changes. I hope that this information assists you with having conversations about medications with your healthcare provider.

Here are the studies I mention:

Seitz DP, Adunuri N, Gill SS, Gruneir A, Herrmann N, Rochon P. Antidepressants for agitation and psychosis in dementia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2011(2).

McCleery J, Cohen DA, Sharpley AL. Pharmacotherapies for sleep disturbances in dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;11:CD009178.

Baillon SF, Narayana U, Luxenberg JS, Clifton AV. Valproate preparations for agitation in dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;10:CD003945.

PODCAST CHALLENGE!

· Rate and review my podcast on your favorite platform

· E-mail me a screenshot before Friday, March 11 at 5 pm central time US; if you want to game the system and rate and review on multiple platforms, go for it!

Email: [email protected]

· 3 winners will receive a signed, autographed copy of my book

· Winners will be announced during Episode 37 (which will be dropped Sunday, March 13 2022)

CHECK OUT MY BOOK!  “Make Dementia Your B*tch! An Easy Guide to Understanding and Handling Dementia-driven Behaviors.”

Have a dementia question? Want to hear it answered on a future podcast? Email me: [email protected].

Are you a visual learning? Check out my YouTube channel, where I demonstrate strategies like bridging and chaining

Looking for a community? I have my own Facebook page for dementia caregivers: Make Dementia Your B! 

People living with dementia are prescribed different medications along the dementia journey. Two categories of medications are commonly prescribed at the beginning and middle of the journey: acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (like Aricept) and memantine. In this episode, I explain how these medications work, when they are usually prescribed, and if (or when) they can be stopped. 

WANT A FREE COPY OF MY NEW BOOK, MAKE DEMENTIA YOUR B*TCH? Enter the MDYB Podcast Challenge!!!

If you want to game the system and rate and review on multiple platforms, go for it!

Meanwhile, check out my book, “Make Dementia Your B*tch! An Easy Guide to Understanding and Handling Dementia-driven Behaviors.”

If you love my podcast, you will LOVE my book!

Many caregivers agonize over the decision to place their loved one living with dementia into a memory care facility. This is a very difficult and personal decision. When you are ready to cross that bridge, make sure you carefully evaluate the facility. Here are 5 very important questions to ask, and which responses indicate a quality facility or a problematic one.

Frustrated with care refusals? Go to https://makedmentiayourbitch.com for a free copy of my checklist, “ Dementia Hacks: 15 Ways to Manage Dementia Care Refusals.”

My book, "Make Dementia Your B*tch! An Easy Guide to Understanding Dementia-related Behaviors" is now available on Amazon!  Order it here.

Loved the podcast? Want to stay in the loop and snag information about free stuff and other offers in my podcast? Subscribe here: https://7ba411eb.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAGRihMp3YCvMGUbK7usRQOWj7sPJgtULa2BGKd-Bz1zXOobcRoK_BmpIZ7tO_89zC37s-VQ-feGgjL1d18zXNJ7dJ4XCHO-kv2jkm0MNDnKX8yMHEPAp3Am0I5qef9EfoowOWKB-VuqT8Z8BgoVR8GUG0iU-qSsq2blFfDHufPg3DanXuySfS4XEyz4NqtRFOdMbUMF1zk4U

You can confidently manage dementia behaviors so that your life and the life of your loved one with dementia become easier and calmer. Check out different ways to learn how to handle many common (and not so common) dementia behaviors: https://dementiacentricsolutions.com

Have a dementia question? Want to hear it answered on a future podcast? Email me: [email protected].

Are you a visual learning? Check out my YouTube channel, where I demonstrate strategies like bridging and chaining

Looking for a community? I have my own Facebook page for dementia caregivers: Make Dementia Your B! 

#alzheimers #lewy body #frontotemporal #dementia #caregiving #care refusal #caregiving #dementiabitch #memorycare