What happens when a son who's been estranged from his mother for years gets a call from her bank manager saying something's wrong? In this powerful first episode of our new four-part series examining how dementia reshapes relationships, Host Dawn Platt sits down with Jonathan, a married father of two who never imagined he'd become his mother's caregiver. When dementia struck during COVID, Jonathan made the life-altering decision to move her from Connecticut into his home in Florida, despite their complicated past.

This isn't a story about having all the answers. It's a raw, honest conversation about obligation, family values, and the emotional weight of doing what feels right when the past remains unresolved. Jonathan's journey, from frantic midnight door alarms to navigating an overwhelming healthcare system to ultimately making the decision for nursing home placement, will resonate with any son or daughter quietly carrying this responsibility, wondering what they would do in the same situation.

Falls don't have to be inevitable, and the solution is simpler than you think. In this powerful finale to our January Wellness Series, Host Dawn Platt welcomes back Dr. Brittany Tallhamer, a physical and occupational therapist who has witnessed firsthand how movement can transform lives at any age or stage of dementia. Brittany shares the shocking truth about what happens when we stop moving, reveals how one bedbound patient walked 30 feet after just one week of therapy, and breaks down the exact exercises that help keep memory care residents not just safer, but more engaged.

Whether you're managing arthritis, supporting a loved one with Alzheimer's who is in memory care or at home, or simply want to maintain your wellness as you age, this episode delivers practical strategies you can start today — no gym required. Tune in to learn why we don't lose mobility because we age; we age faster because we stop moving.

Your brain has a built-in protection system called cognitive reserve, and the latest research shows you can strengthen it at any age. In this fourth episode of our January Wellness Series for Brain Health, Host Dawn Platt reveals how simple daily activities can build your brain's resilience against cognitive decline. From morning mental challenges to evening reflection practices, Dawn shares evidence-based strategies that go beyond generic "brain health" advice, offering practical routines you can start today. Whether you're looking to protect your own cognitive future or support a loved one with dementia, discover why small, consistent actions matter more than you think, and how Dawn used these exact techniques to keep her mother functioning at her highest level until her final week of life.

In this third episode of our "New Year, Stronger Mind & Body: January Wellness Series for Brain Health," Host Dawn Platt welcomes back National Director of Celebrations and Fitness Tamara Bowen to explore the powerful connection between nutrition and cognitive health. Discover why nearly 30% of adults over 65 face diabetes-related cognitive decline, learn simple hydration hacks that can reverse confusion in seniors, and hear inspiring stories of residents who transformed their lives through better eating habits. From "hydration stations" to brain-healthy meal planning tips you can start today, Tamara reveals how small dietary changes can fuel your body, sharpen your mind, and even help combat dementia. Plus, learn about exciting new research on blood sugar's impact on brain health that could change everything. Whether you're caring for a loved one or looking to protect your own cognitive future, this episode offers practical, doable strategies that prove it's never too late to eat your way to a stronger mind.

What if protecting your brain health was just as important as protecting your heart? In this second episode of our “New Year, Stronger Mind & Body: January Wellness Series for Brain Health,” Host Dawn Platt reveals why dementia isn't an inevitable part of aging, and what you can do right now to build your brain's natural defense system. Discover the surprising lifestyle habits that can strengthen your cognitive reserve at any age, learn to spot the crucial difference between normal forgetfulness and early warning signs, and understand why experts are saying "what's good for the heart is good for the brain." Whether you're concerned about your own cognitive future or supporting a loved one, Dawn shares practical, science-backed strategies that could make all the difference.

Is it too late to transform your brain health? Absolutely not. In this energizing premiere of Healthy Body, Engaged Mind: January Wellness Series for Brain Health, host Dawn Platt welcomes wellness expert Tamara Bowen to shatter the myth that fitness and movement are out of reach for aging adults. Discover why washing dishes, tending a garden, and even folding laundry are powerful tools for building cognitive reserve, and why you don't need to run a marathon to see life-changing results. Whether you're caring for someone with dementia or looking to strengthen your own brain health, this episode reveals the simple, joyful movements that create independence, reduce wandering, and bring purpose to every day. Small steps, big results. It's never too late to start.

Join Host Dawn Platt and guest Regina Trent, a senior memory care director, for the third episode in our holiday series, "Dementia & the Holidays: Support, Stories & Solutions," as they explore how to rediscover the magic of the holidays when dementia changes everything you once knew.

Regina shares how families can let go of past expectations and create new traditions that bring genuine joy – from decorating trees and wreaths together to transforming a simple outing into an unforgettable memory. Learn why simplicity beats perfection, how timing your celebrations can make all the difference, and why a cup of cocoa in a vintage Santa mug might mean more than an elaborate gathering.

This episode offers honest, heartfelt guidance on balancing connection with overstimulation, honoring grief while finding joy, and reimagining what the holidays can be when you focus on what truly matters: comfort, familiarity, and being present together. This is about more than adapting, it's about rediscovering the heart of the holidays in ways that honor both your loved one and yourself.

In Episode 2 of Dementia & the Holidays: Support, Stories & Solutions, host Dawn Platt welcomes Dr. Brent P. Forester, geriatric psychiatrist at Tufts University School of Medicine and co-author of The Complete Family Guide to Dementia. Dr. Forester reveals a truth every caregiver needs to understand: dementia isn't just a diagnosis—it's a family disease that reshapes relationships, finances, and daily life in ways no other illness does. Discover why early diagnosis is critical, how to navigate the emotional complexity of becoming your parents' decision-maker, and proven strategies for caring smarter instead of harder. Whether holiday family gatherings are bringing these challenges into sharper focus or you're simply seeking guidance for the road ahead, this conversation offers the clarity and compassion you've been looking for.

Welcome to the first episode of our holiday series, Dementia & the Holidays: Support, Stories & Solutions! Host Dawn Platt sits down with Regina Trent, a Senior Memory Care Director, to tackle one of the season's toughest questions: What do you give someone you love who's living with dementia? From re-gifting a beloved scarf that sparked pure joy to making playlists that unlock forgotten memories, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom, touching stories, and dementia stage-specific gift ideas that honor the person behind the diagnosis. Dawn and Regina also dive into Amazon's popular gift list for people with dementia and reveal what a dementia professional really thinks about those recommendations—the good, the questionable, and what's actually missing. If you've ever felt lost staring at generic "top 10" lists, this episode will help you discover what truly matters: your presence, not just your presents.

Every behavior tells a story – but are you listening? In this powerful episode, the fourth and final in our Alzheimer's Awareness Month series, Host and Dementia Coach Dawn Platt helps you crack the code on behavioral triggers in Alzheimer's and other dementias. Discover why agitation, wandering, and resistance aren't random acts of defiance, but desperate attempts to communicate unmet needs in a confusing world. Dawn shares her proven detective work approach to identifying hidden triggers – from sensory overload to uncomfortable clothing – and teaches you how to use observation, validation, and simple environmental changes to reduce distress for both you and your loved one. Stop reacting to behaviors and start understanding them.