Dementia in Black and White

This week we discuss the 5 stages of grief and which stage I believe I am in.

Trigger Warning: My toughest podcast yet.  Today I discuss the transition of Mom.  

This week we discuss an important study that needs you.  If you or someone you know wishes to participate, please reach out to Dr. Turner and his team at:   202 994-1728 or rwturnerlab@gwu.edu.com.  You can also visit rwturnerlab.com to learn more and sign up for the screening process.   More information about Dr. Turner:   Robert W. Turner II, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, with a secondary appointment in the Department of Neurology, at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He is a biobehavioral health disparities researcher with ethnographic and mixed methods training. Dr. Turner is the Principal Investigator (PI) for a National Institute on Aging (NIA) Health Disparities award which conducts multi-method research to assess caregiver burden. The research explores whether the stress of being the primary caregiver of a person with dementia (PWD) produces cognitive dysfunction in adult and older adult Black American men. His NIA funded K01 award examines the interrelationship between multiple measures of psychosocial and neurocognitive risk and protective factors associated with accelerated cognitive aging & mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), and Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) among former collegiate and professional football players. This line of research encompasses understanding how traumatic injury, as an occupational hazard, hinders daily living and career planning over the life course. These are many of the same concerns faced by military personnel returning from war. He is also the author of “Not For Long: The Life and Career of the NFL Athlete” (Oxford Press) and a contributor on the LeBron James HBO documentary “Student-Athlete.” His experience as a former professional NFL player (San Franchise 49ers) and a researcher provides an insightful perspective on the various factors contributing to Black male health disparities.

Today we talk about hospice care, what is and what it isn't. 

In this episode we discuss self care for the care partner and how to keep stress in check.

This week we celebrate an important month, but where should we focus our attention?

Is it different for men versus women?  Let's talk about it.

This week we talk about aging with Ms. Petra Niles.  A great discussion that includes tips for Care Partners as well as the community at large.

In this episode I will share how mom is doing since her hospital stay.

This week we will take a look across the pond to see if Blacks fair better there than here in the US.

Ease your journey, join a support group.  This Podcast will discuss some things you should consider.

This week we discuss the 10 early signs you should pay attention to and we also discuss what is a normal part of aging.

We know that women are more impacted by dementia, now we are finding out that early menopause may be a contributing factor.

This episode we will explore the top countries with the highest rates of Dementia and discuss some the reasons.

You are not alone.  If you fear you may hurt yourself, reach out to the Suicide Prevention Hotline number at 800-273-8255.

This week we breakdown the bills from hospital.  Do they charge a fair price?

This week we discuss a more robust model of the Dementia stages.

Update on Mom.  She's out of the hospital and showing signs of improvement.

Why do I have to fight the system to receive basic health care?  Is it because I'm black?

We bring home from the facility, but only for one night, then to the hospital.  Is it Covid?

This week we will discuss the transfer of mom to another facility.  This worked well.....for a weekend.  :-(  

No news is good news.  I got a call from the facility.  

This episode we will discuss the difficulty of leaving mom behind at a facility.

This week we discuss the Spiritual and Physical elements of self care for you as a CarePartner.

This week we discuss mental self care for you as a CarePartner.  

This week we will discuss tips for CarePartners regarding self care.

In this weeks episode we will research the various programs where you can receive assistance for in-home care in your area.

In this episode we will get to listen to Mom singing and keeping the beat for the most part.

Today I will discuss a couple of things you should consider when thinking about placing your loved one in memory care facility.

This week we get personal and I invite you to hear a typical conversation I have with my mother.  I will also share some tips on what to say when your loved one refers to dead people as if they are still alive.

This week we discuss things you can do to help balance worklife and caregiving.

This week we talk to Jeffrey Aviles, who will share with us some tips and tricks on how to keep stress in check as we go about our caregiving responsibilities.     To reach out to Jeffrey or learn more about him use the links below: https://www.marylandapexhypnosis.com info@jeffaviles.com https://overthinkingcure.com    

This week we will discuss the fact that families bear most of the cost for caring for a loved one with dementia, even though it a health condition that should be covered by health Insurance.  We will also some possible solutions.

In this week's episode we review some customer reviews about in home caregivers hired to 'help' their loved ones.  TRIGGER WARNING: There will some discussion regarding allegations of elder abuse.

In this week's episode we discuss some tips for helping with the feeling of helplessness.  Caregiving can sometimes feel like you are in a cage, trapped in an endless cycle; let's break out!

This week we talk about drugs used to treat symptoms of dementia.

This week we sit down with Dr. Gaines, where he talks about starting an assisted living facility.  This is part two of a two part interview.

This week we sit down with Dr. Gaines, where he talks about his road to getting into the field of working with seniors.  This is part one of a two part interview.

In this episode we hear from Mr. Kelly who talks about caring for his Mother-in-Law and his active work in leading support groups.

In today's episode we hear from Ms. Debra Jones who was a CareGiver for her mother who transitioned a month ago.  Ms. Jones offers some excellent information for Care Partners to consider for their journey.    

This week we discuss strategies to best communicate with your loved dealing with dementia.

This week we meet a gentleman who is caring for his wife of 68 years.  Listen and learn: what has worked and what the challenges have been since receiving the diagnosis in 2011.

This episode will discuss the costs associated with Long Term Care Insurance and the drawbacks of coverage.

This week we review key findings from a report done by the group Us Against Alzheimer's.

Today we sit down again with Dr. Fayron Epps, Assistant Professor at Emory University.  Dr. Epps will share information about a new program called Faith Village.  If you would like more information you can call 678-723-8788.  To communicate with Dr. Epps directly reach out to fepps@emory.edu.

Today we sit down with Dr. Fayron Epps, Assistant Professor at Emory University.  Dr. Epps will share information about a program to help churches become more dementia friendly.  If you know of a faith community who could benefit from this program please reach out to the Alter Program at outreach@alterdementia.com.  You can also visit their website at Alterdementia.com.  To communicate with Dr. Epps directly reach out to fepps@emory.edu.

So it's been a year living with Mom and in this episode I will share the ups and downs of this experience.  

I toured a facility and this is what I found.  $5.5k per month, plus a $3k initial fee.  Respite care for $250/day.

Today we discuss the new drug that the FDA approved earlier this week to treat Alzheimer's disease.