The Agewyz Podcast

What exactly is Alzheimer’s disease and how does it differ from other forms of dementia? Do medications used to treat Alzheimer’s really work? Dr. Constantine G. Lyketsos joins us from Johns Hopkins University to explain it all in terms everyone can understand. An internationally recognized leader in the field of dementia care and treatment, Lyketsos also reflects on the fear that often accompanies any mention of Alzheimer’s disease and how the onset of dementia presents an opportunity for new relationships to evolve with a loved one. His message is one of hope.

Dr. Lyketsos discusses off-label Alzheimer’s medications in this video: https://youtu.be/c6vyX6FgWXU

In a span of five years Nebraska native Valerie Bourdain lost her daughter to adrenal cancer, her mother to lung cancer and her father to leukemia. Her husband left the marriage midway through their daughter’s cancer journey. Valerie forged ahead as the sole caregiver for all three family members, but her weight and blood pressure soared to dangerously high levels. Motivated to get healthy so her grown son wouldn’t have to care for her, she slowly rebuilt her life—and her body, with the help of a fitness and nutrition coach. Today Valerie’s a fit 59 year-old training for her second rowing competition. Tune in for an incredible story of resilience and reinvention, and lessons learned along the way. 

For a transcript of this episode click here: Transcript

Explore Valerie’s website  

Learn about adrenal cancer 

Music: “Always Late” by Ketsa | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive

24-year-old Mickele Hogan’s first full-length play “Mourning the Living” explores the toll Alzheimer’s takes on a husband with the disease and on his anguished, caregiving wife. In today’s show Mickele talks about the wide range of emotions raised in the drama, what she hopes to achieve with it and how her caregiving family continues to influence her life and work. Debuting August 11 at the Thespis Theater Festival in New York City, Mickele’s play was inspired by her summers spent working at Home Instead Senior Care in Omaha, Nebraska. Get tickets to the play: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2551912 Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/mourningtheliving/ About Mickele: http://www.mickelehogan.com Music: “Barbara” by US Army Blues | Public Domain | Free Music Archive

Pittsburgh native Sue Peschin spent a lot of time around older adults as a youngster, so it’s no surprise that she chose to advocate for older Americans in her career. Now President and CEO of the Alliance For Aging Research, Sue talks about the elders in her family who continue to inspire her and how the Alliance advocates on behalf of older Americans and their caregivers. From advancing scientific research to creating provider and consumer health programs, Sue and her team are working tirelessly to improve the human experience of aging. Tune in for a lively and informative conversation! Learn more about the Alliance For Aging Research: http://www.agingresearch.org Explore the Alliance’s Pocket Films: http://www.agingresearch.org/pocketfilms More about the Lifespan Respite Care Act: http://bit.ly/2aoh2Bv Music: “Upbeat” by Jon Luc Hefferman | CC BY NC | Free Music Archive

Fine artist Tony Luciani began taking photos of his 93-year-old mother Elia after she moved in with him in 2014. Primarily a painter, Tony initiated the photography project as a way to engage with his mother, who has dementia, and to create a keepsake for himself. To his surprise the “visual diary” drew widespread attention and a collection of photos his mother took with a small camera Tony gave her resulted in her own exhibition. In today’s show Tony talks about his evolution as an artist and a caregiver, his Italian heritage and what it’s like to live with Elia. He also shares the stories behind some of his photos, how his mother’s journey from one park bench to the next formed the basis of a new project and what he hopes to achieve with his work. And then there is the “hum.” Music: “Discovery” by Jon Luc Hefferman | CC BY NC | Free Music Archive Tony’s photography: www.YnotPhoto.com Tony’s paintings: www.tonyluciani.ca “Mamma” Facebook page: http://ow.ly/MP8Y302HmNl

When her father was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma—a type of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma—Callie was thrust into long-distance caregiving complicated by her parents' old-world mentality. Born in Greece, her parents now live in California and Callie lives in Virginia. In today’s episode she talks about the challenges of hiring a male home health aide for her 88-year-old father, who is undergoing chemotherapy treatments, and coaching potential aides on how to avoid being fired by her stubborn 91-year-old mother. Callie also talks about the benefits of venting with friends, what not to say to adults caring for a loved one and why she plans to approach her own later years in a radically different way than her parents. Note: Callie is not her real name; we’ve changed it for the interview to protect her privacy. More on B-cell lymphoma: http://bit.ly/1HA31QR

22-year-old Atonya Jackson is one of over four million Americans employed as a direct care worker, a labor force that includes home health aides, nursing assistants and personal care workers. In today’s show Atonya talks about why she chose to become a paid caregiver, the importance of connecting with clients and her stressful experience of telling family members their grandmother has died. She also provides insight into how home care agencies operate, live-in versus hourly work, wages and how she approaches her work. Tune in for some frank talk from a dedicated millennial caregiver. Music: “Tropicks” by Broke For Free | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive Learn more: http://bit.ly/29B507C

Canadian Larry Singer is a glass-is-half-full kind of guy, but even he has his moments caring for his beloved wife, Sylvia, who has dementia. In today’s show he talks about the joys and frustrations of spousal caregiving, how he copes with stress and why he’s still in love with Sylvia despite how their lives have changed. Recorded on July 1, Canada Day, with hilarious closing thoughts for American listeners. Resources: Community Care Access Centres in Ontario: http://healthcareathome.ca Alzheimer Society Toronto: http://alz.to Music: “Flamenco Rhythm” by Sunsearcher | CC BY SA | Free Music Archive

Krysta Close and her siblings all live in different cities, but they banded together to figure out a new living situation for their mother when they realized her memory was declining and it wasn’t safe for her to continue living alone. Krysta’s mom, a retired psychiatrist, born in Poland, had taken it upon herself to get a neuropsychological exam because she too was worried about her forgetfulness. Her eventual diagnosis: early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. In today’s show Krysta talks about the process of moving her mother from Milwaukee to LA, how she went about choosing an assisted living facility for her mom, the chaos of her temporary stay with Krysta before moving into the ALF and the joy of watching her mother bond with Krysta’s young son. She also shares some of her caregiving stresses, what she learned navigating the healthcare system and how she’s preparing for her mom’s future. Email [email protected] if you’d like the contact information for the California-based health insurance broker Krysta mentioned in the show. The broker’s services are free and he specializes in the needs of older adults. Music: “Reflections Across the Sky” by Scott Holmes | CC BY NC | Free Music Archive

Just because you’ve been diagnosed with dementia, it doesn’t mean you can’t lead a meaningful life. So says writer Deborah Shouse, who explains in today’s episode how the film Alive Inside inspired her to write “Connecting in the Land of Dementia: Creative Activities to Explore Together,” her forthcoming book chalk-full of ideas for transforming the lives of people with dementia and their caregivers through artful engagement. Deborah tells us why creativity matters, why talent isn’t required to connect with a loved one and she offers tips for caregivers on how to get out of survival mode and initiate self-care. Part 1 of this inspiring interview can be found here: http://bit.ly/1ZU74f4 Music: “Discovery” by Jon Luc Hefferman | CC BY NC | Free Music Archive Pre-order “Connecting in the Land of Dementia”: http://amzn.to/28PKtAp Explore Deborah and Ron’s creativity workshops: http://bit.ly/28NXeIS Connect with Deborah’s blog: http://bit.ly/28Uq8qk Alive Inside is streaming on Netflix! Learn more about the film here: http://bit.ly/1mj65PA