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.

In this third episode of our Alzheimer's Awareness Month series, Host Dawn Platt takes you on an immersive journey through the mind of someone living with dementia to explore what a day is really like for them – from the disorienting confusion of waking up in the morning to the anxiety of sundowning at dusk. Experience the fear of not recognizing your own reflection, the struggle to put on a shirt, and the overwhelming panic of not knowing where "home" is. But this isn't just storytelling – Dawn weaves in practical coaching strategies for caregivers at every turn, showing how gentle guidance, validation, and empathy can transform these challenging moments into opportunities for connection. Whether you're a caregiver, family member, or simply want to understand dementia better, this episode will change how you see Alzheimer's disease forever. Because when memories fade, love remains.

Most people are surprised to learn that Alzheimer’s disease represents just one of more than 100 types of dementia. This staggering fact is often overlooked—and yet it has profound implications for diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life.

In the second episode of our Alzheimer’s Awareness Month series, Host Dawn Platt highlights why understanding the specific type of dementia is essential, not optional. Families often assume all dementia is Alzheimer’s, but each type presents differently and requires tailored approaches to care.

Discover why one woman's misdiagnosis changed everything about her care, learn the critical differences between vascular dementia's sudden drops and Lewy body's fluctuating clarity, and understand why getting the right diagnosis could transform your loved one's treatment plan.

Whether you are walking this journey with a parent, spouse, other family member or friend, this conversation will broaden your perspective and empower you to advocate more effectively. Join the 55 million families worldwide committed to facing dementia with knowledge, clarity, and support.

Join Dawn Platt as she kicks off a powerful series for National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, exploring the truth behind a disease that affects nearly 7 million Americans—and counting. This isn't just about forgetting where you put your keys. Discover why a grandmother who can recall her wedding day can't remember how to make her morning tea, learn the critical difference between normal aging and Alzheimer's, and find out why early detection could change everything. Dawn shares real stories of families navigating this journey and reveals the surprising ways music, emotion, and connection can reach parts of the brain untouched by the disease. Whether you're caring for a loved one, noticing changes in yourself, or simply want to understand what millions face daily, this episode offers hope, clarity, and practical guidance. Because even as memories fade, the heart still remembers love.

With Veterans Day approaching, we're sharing information about a benefit that could change everything for families paying for dementia care. Millions of veterans and widows qualify for financial help with memory care costs—but most have no idea it exists. Host Dawn Platt sits down with Suzette Graham, CEO of Patriot Angels, to discuss a little-known VA benefit that could add thousands of dollars monthly to help cover care expenses. From a heartbreaking story about sacrifice to surprising eligibility requirements families often miss, this conversation reveals why so few are accessing the support they've earned. If you're caring for a veteran or military spouse with dementia and struggling with the cost of care, this episode is a must-listen.

If you're torn about whether to bring your loved one home from memory care this holiday season, feeling guilty about changing traditions, or wondering how to make the holidays special without overwhelming them—this episode is for you. Host Dawn Platt offers compassionate guidance on creating smaller, calmer gatherings that honor what matters most: connection over perfection. Learn practical modifications like timing visits when your loved one is most alert, simplifying menus, managing overstimulation, and preparing family members for realistic expectations. Dawn shares her own story of adapting her mom's cherished gift-giving tradition as dementia progressed, and reminds us that the smallest moments—a familiar song, a favorite dessert, holding hands by the tree—are often the most meaningful. This holiday season doesn't have to look like it used to for it to be filled with love.

Not all memory care programs are created equal—and if you're touring communities right now, you need to know what questions to ask. In this eye-opening episode, host Dawn Platt sits down with Maggie Mariello, a memory care director with over 25 years of experience to reveal why outdated programs fail those living with dementia today. From the shocking success story of a man who struggled at three communities before thriving with the right approach, to the critical difference between recreational activities and true science-based programming, this conversation arms you with the insider knowledge you need. Learn what neuroplasticity really means for your loved one, why behavioral management training matters more than the building's amenities, and the specific questions that separate communities truly equipped to handle modern dementia care from those stuck decades in the past.