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Overcoming Guilt and Cherishing Moments: A Caregiver's Summer Reflections

Ken  shares heartfelt experiences from his summer, including celebrating his 45th wedding anniversary with his wife Shanna, who is battling Alzheimer's, Shanna's 65th birthday with her family, and a long overdue extended family vacation. Ken reflects on the emotional journey of transitioning from full-time caregiving to balancing family life, overcoming survivor's guilt, and finding joy amid challenges. He emphasizes the importance of addressing caregiver guilt, seeking support, and staying connected with family. Ken also shares how becoming a life coach has allowed him to help others navigate similar struggles, urging listeners to find the balance between responsibilities and self-care.

00:00 Episode Overview

01:16 Celebrating 45 Years of Marriage

09:23 Shanna's 65th Birthday Celebration

11:12 Family Vacation to Mission Beach

18:12 Planning a Cruise Vacation

20:52 Reflections and Moving Forward

22:42 Encouragement for Caregivers

24:54 Conclusion and Podcast Mission

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Changes - Turn and Face the Strange

In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken reflects on nine years of retirement and his experiences as the primary caregiver for his wife, Shanna, who has Alzheimer's disease. Ken shares the challenges they faced after his retirement in 2016, including moving to a new house and adjusting to Shanna's cognitive decline. He discusses the emotional rollercoaster of caregiving, the importance of compassion, and how he learned to meet Shanna's needs without relying on logic and reasoning. Ken also emphasizes the healing power of time, faith, and community support. This episode aims to provide insight and encouragement for caregivers navigating their own journeys.

00:00 Reflecting on Nine Years of Retirement
00:47 Introduction to the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast
01:27 Early Caregiving Challenges and Retirement
04:16 Downsizing and Moving Challenges
06:49 Adjusting to New Realities
10:07 Lessons Learned and Personal Growth
17:30 Embracing Emotions and Finding Peace
20:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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EP 44 Advocating for Your Loved One 

 Ken shares his story of advocating for his wife Shanna, who has been living with Alzheimer's disease. Ken details the timeline of when he took over her medical and financial decisions, highlighting important moments like setting up power of attorney, adjusting to challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and navigating complex medical situations. He recounts specific instances of Shanna's health issues, such as her struggle with a tight quadricep and  restless leg syndrome, and how these were managed through medication adjustments and homeopathic solutions. The episode underscores the importance of being proactive, working closely with medical professionals, and trusting one's instincts in managing the care of a loved one with dementia.

00:00 Introduction: Advocating for a Loved One with Dementia

01:12 Ken's Personal Journey: Legal Preparations and Early Challenges

02:23 Navigating Medical Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

04:34 The Mystery of Shanna's Leaning and Muscle Issues

09:11 Discovering Restless Leg Syndrome and Medication Adjustments

13:36 The Importance of Advocacy and Personalized Care

15:58 Conclusion: Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts

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EP 43 Wondering Aloud - Lessons from Loss

Ken discusses coping strategies amid the loss of three fellow residents, reassures caregivers on managing personal guilt, and emphasizes the importance of supporting others. He offers practical advice on self-care, finding joy, and using diverse activities to break monotony. The episode aims to educate and inspire caregivers to balance their responsibilities while finding personal relief and fulfillment.

00:00 Introduction: Overwhelmed by Caregiving
01:15 Shanna's Restless Leg Syndrome Update
02:00 Coping with Loss in the Caregiving Community
08:37 Finding Comfort in Shared Experiences
10:09 Balancing Caregiving and Self-Care
14:18 Practical Tips for Caregivers
15:58 Conclusion: Finding Relief and Support

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Returning After a Break: Holiday Lessons and New Directions for 2025

In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardina returns after a three-month break to provide updates on his personal journey with his wife Shanna, who has Alzheimer's. Ken shares heartfelt moments of appreciation, his holiday experiences, the introduction of a wheelchair due to Shanna's mobility challenges, and their ongoing battle with Restless Leg Syndrome. He also hints at future plans for the podcast, including potential new content and classes tailored for caregivers. It's an episode filled with reflections, lessons learned, and new beginnings aimed at supporting those affected by Alzheimer's.

00:00 Introduction and Listener Appreciation
00:57 Podcast Update and Future Plans
03:06 Holiday Reflections and Lessons Learned
08:19 Shanna's Health and Mobility Challenges
12:54 Future Directions for the Podcast
15:53 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

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The Transformative Power of a Smile in Alzheimer's Care

In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardita discusses the profound impact a simple smile can have on individuals with Alzheimer's, drawing from his experiences with his wife, Shanna, and other residents at her care facility. Ken shares touching stories of connecting with non-responsive residents through smiles and the joy it brings to them and their families. He emphasizes the importance of caregivers and loved ones using smiles to comfort and uplift those with dementia, reflecting on his personal journey to becoming a habitual smiler despite his New York upbringing. Ken encourages listeners to embrace the power of a smile to foster love and happiness in their caregiving roles.

00:00 The Power of a Smile
01:15 Reflecting on the Journey
02:37 Smiles in the Late Stages of Dementia
04:15 Connecting with Residents
06:51 Cherished Memories and Loss
12:04 Shanna's Radiant Smile
13:06 The Impact of Smiling
13:49 Personal Transformation Through Smiling
15:04 Invitation to Smile and Conclusion

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Five Lessons Learned from My Caregiving Journey

In this episode, inspired by a listener's comment, Ken shares five crucial lessons he wishes he knew when he started his caregiving journey. These lessons include: stopping the urge to correct the loved one, letting go of guilt, recognizing that current struggles won't last forever, prioritizing self-care, and embracing your loved one's reality. Ken emphasizes the importance of finding joy in what the loved one can still do and cherishing those moments.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflection
01:30 Listener Comment and Episode Inspiration
02:08 Number 1 : Stop Correcting
04:23 Number 2 : Let Go of Guilt
06:29 Number 3 : This Too Shall Pass
09:01 Number 4 : Self-Care is Essential
11:38  Number 5 : Live in Their World
16:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Finding Hope Amidst Grief

In this 39th episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardita reflects on a challenging year and a poignant two-year anniversary of the podcast coinciding with his 44th wedding anniversary to his wife, Shanna. 

Ken candidly shares his experiences dealing with sadness and grief, the impact of stepping back from full-time caregiving, and the emotional toll of watching his wife’s decline. He discusses the importance of maintaining connections, recounts a heartwarming celebration of their anniversary, and encourages listeners to find hope and cherish what remains of their loved ones.


01:40 Podcast Anniversary and Personal Reflections
02:20 Dealing with Sadness and Grief
03:45 Support Group Insights
06:32 Anniversary Celebration with Shanna
08:47 Struggling with Emotions and Finding Hope
13:35 Cherishing Moments and Looking Forward
19:45 Conclusion and Future Plans

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Encouraging and Maintaining Friendships Amidst Alzheimer's Progression

Ken  discusses the difficulties and importance of maintaining social connections for loved ones with dementia. Drawing from his own experiences with his wife, Shanna, Ken offers practical advice on easing the discomfort friends may feel and strategies to encourage continued visits. 

The episode also highlights the emotional impact of visits and provides tips for making these interactions meaningful. Ken shares a heartwarming story about reconnecting with an old friend and underscores the significance of being open about the diagnosis to help reduce awkwardness. Listeners are encouraged to think of someone to invite for a visit and to use the provided strategies to support their loved ones.

00:00 Introduction: The Isolation of Dementia
00:44 Welcome to the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast
01:48 Listener Review: A Shared Journey
02:54 Understanding the Awkwardness
03:54 Being Open About the Diagnosis
06:28 Supporting Social Interactions
10:15 Encouraging Friends to Visit
12:51 Writing a Letter to Friends
17:22 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
18:20 Conclusion and Mission Statement

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Reflecting on Three Years of Memory Care: Lessons and Growth

Ken reflects on the three-year anniversary of moving his wife, Shanna, into memory care. Ken shares journal entries from his early caregiving days, detailing the emotional challenges, his journey toward understanding and coping, and the essential lessons learned. 

He emphasizes the importance of not letting Alzheimer's define life, validating feelings, seeking help, and finding joy amidst the difficulties. Ken encourages listeners to embrace the joyful moments left and to seek support in their caregiving journey.

00:00 Welcome to the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast
00:41 Reflecting on Three Years of Memory Care
01:25 Discovering Old Journals
04:05 First Journal Entry: May 30th, 2018
07:08 Lessons Learned from Early Caregiving
08:47 Second Journal Entry: June 1st, 2018
12:47 Third Journal Entry: October 2018
14:04 The Journey of Becoming a Better Caregiver
18:51 The Importance of Seeking Help
21:05 Final Thoughts and Invitation to Find Joy

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