In this powerful episode of Engaging Aging, we sit down with Katie Brandt, nationally recognized advocate and Director of Caregiving & Education at the MGH Frontotemporal Disorders Unit.

Katie shares her deeply personal journey—caring for a husband with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a father with Alzheimer’s disease, and raising her young son—all while navigating profound loss. She opens up about carrying what she calls the “grief backpack,” why love should guide every care decision, and the importance of building a strong support system.

This conversation is a reminder that caregivers are never alone, and that even in the hardest seasons, joy and grief can coexist.

✨ Inside this episode:

• What every family should do right after a diagnosis
• Why promises around care should be rooted in love, not guilt
• Practical advocacy tips: documenting changes, speaking up, and getting connected with the right professionals
• How grief and happiness can exist side-by-side, and what it means to care for yourself as well as your loved one

🔗 Helpful Resources & Links

• Learn more about Katie Brandt: katibrandt.org | Instagram: @katibrand6 | From Care to Care Podcast (Apple/Spotify)
• The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD): theaftd.org
• Alzheimer’s Association: alz.org | 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900
• MGH Frontotemporal Disorders Unit: massgeneral.org/neurology/ftd-unit