Episode Number: 2 Episode Title: Understanding Dementia: What I Wish I'd Known Sooner Duration: 6-7 minutes Season: 1 Category: Health & Wellness / Self-Help Explicit Content: No

In honor of World Alzheimer's Month, Stella gets deeply personal about her journey with her mother's dementia. As a professional senior care advocate, you'd think she would have spotted the signs early. But love sometimes makes us blind to what we don't want to see.

In this heartfelt episode, Stella shares:

• The subtle early signs of dementia she missed in her own mother
• Why raw meat in the pantry and lost teeth were actually red flags
• How different types of dementia can present differently
• The guilt of being a "professional" who missed the signs in her own family
• Essential Austin resources for families facing dementia
• Why trusting your instincts matters more than medical expertise

Whether you're just starting to notice changes in a loved one or are deep in the caregiving journey, this episode offers both professional insight and personal understanding.

Featured Austin Resources:

🧠 Alzheimer's Association Greater Austin Chapter

• 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900
• Website: alz.org/texascapital
• Local support groups and educational programs

🏥 Dell Medical School Memory Care Program

• Phone: (512) 324-7000
• Website: dellmed.utexas.edu

🏠 Tour Senior Living - Greater Austin Area

• Website: tourseniorliving.org/area/austin
• Specialized memory care communities

📚 Stella's Book: "The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Your Senior Housing Solutions"

• Available on LuLu: purchase Book