Journey Ahead

Resiliency is important to healthy aging, and older adults with higher resiliency have an improved quality of life and better mental health despite the adversities they face. In this episode, author and educator Ted Bowman, who specialists in grief, loss, and “honest hope,” talks to host Lisa Wells of the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County about fostering resiliency. Resiliency, Bowman says, is not only about rebounding from setbacks, but about springing forward and adapting to changed circumstances. He encourages older people to examine their experiences to find examples of how they overcame setbacks earlier in life, and tap into some of the same skills. Bowman also discusses the dual process of grief and joy, the importance of building a team when faced with setbacks, and how to build a shelf full of resiliency tools.

How we approach dementia can have a major impact on how individuals live after they experience a diagnosis. As one of 6 million Americans with dementia, Russell Martoccio is determined to live life to the fullest. In 2016, he was diagnosed with Korsakoff syndrome, a dementia caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Since then, he has begun to write a monthly column about his experiences. In this episode, Russell talks with host Lisa Wells of the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County about the mental and physical impact of his diagnosis, how it has affected his daily life, how support groups and his faith have helped him, and the necessity of accepting change as a part of life.

Loneliness and social isolation can be a major concern for older adults, putting them at higher risk for Alzheimer's disease and other serious problems. In fact, one-quarter of adults 65 and older are classified as socially isolated. Life changes such as retirement and the death of a love done as well as factors like the COVID-19 pandemic can trigger loneliness. In this episode, author and retired chaplain Moria Kneer speaks with host Lisa Wells of the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County about the difference between being alone and being lonely, the importance of identifying our underlying feelings, and strategies for reducing isolation as we grow older.

Guest: Dr. Tom Dow, Mindful Diagnostics & Therapeutics The statistics are troubling: Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and it cannot be prevent, slowed, or cured. One in nine people 65 and older have Alzheimer's, and the share increases with age. However, medical science is advancing, and Eau Claire's Dr. Tom Dow is exploring ways to identify the risks of Alzheimer's disease early and to mitigate those risks. In this episode, Dr. Dow talks with host Lisa Wells of the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County about Alzheimer's disease, the factors that impact it, and an exciting vaccine study happening right here in Eau Claire.

Guest: Deputy Melissa Sommers, Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department Every year, millions of American seniors fall victims to financial scams, from telemarketing frauds to fake sweepstakes to home repair swindles. Criminals may gain seniors' trust over the telephone or Internet and play on their victims' fears and emotions. In this episode, Eau Claire County Sheriff's Deputy Melissa Sommers talks with host Lisa Wells of the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County about the variety of scams that target seniors and how older folks, their families, and their caregivers can avoid being financial exploited.

Guest: Cathy Reitz, director, Stand in the Light Memory Choir. Music and singing are good for all of us, especially for people living with dementia: Research has shown that music can evoke memories and emotions even in people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Musician and educator Cathy Reitz is starting her sixth year directing the https://www.facebook.com/SITLchoir/ (Stand in the Light Memory Choir in Eau Claire). In this episode, she talks with host Lisa Wells of the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County about the many – and sometimes unexpected – benefits music provides for the mind, body, and soul.

Guests: Anne Sadowska, occupational therapist, and Laura Hurd, speech-language pathologist Alzheimer's and related dementia can't be cured or reverse, but interventions like occupational and speech therapy may help people maintain their physical and mental abilities – and their independence. Host Lisa Wells of the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County chats with two Chippewa Valley professionals – Anne Sadowska, an occupational therapist, and Laura Hurd, a speech-language pathologist – about the sometimes surprising ways their fields can help those living with dementia lead meaningful lives.

Healthy eating is important at any age, but it becomes even more important as we get older. Registered dietician Pam VanKampen chats with host Lisa Wells of the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County about how our diet can keep our bodies and brains healthy, improve our moods, and boost our energy levels. VanKampen explains how we should find foods that nourish our bodies instead of vilifying “bad” foods.

When we're children, we move our bodies through play. As we get older, the rigors of life – and the impacts of aging – often get in the way. Mary Pica-Anderson, executive director of the L.E. Phillips Senior Center in Eau Claire, talks with host Lisa Wells of the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County about the positive impact of maintaining physical activity on our bodies and minds. Explore the benefits of getting physically active – which can involve everything from gardening to organized classes – and how to sustain those benefits as we age.

At some time in our lives, we will all be caregivers or will receive care from others. Dr. Larry Studt talks with host Lisa Wells of the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County about his own caregiving journey. Larry's wife, Rachel, experienced a rare form of young onset dementia, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, which unexpectedly thrust him into a caregiving role. Larry talks about the challenges this created, the emotions and guilt that come with caregiving, the importance of accepting help, the need for self-care, and the search for hope.

We plan for birthdays, weddings, and other events, but we tend to put off planning for a time when we can no longer make medical or financial decisions for ourselves. Eau Claire attorney Peter Grosskopf talks with host Lisa Wells of the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County about how to overcome our reluctance and take steps to secure out futures. They discuss powers of attorney for finance and health care as well as other legal documents and processes important to the aging population.

Host Lisa Wells of the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County chats with Dr. Joan Hamblin of Prevea Health about memory and the aging brain. Hamblin, who is board certified in geriatrics and serves as medical director of Prevea's geriatric assessment clinic, explains the differences between ordinary age-related memory lapses and dementia, and what steps people should take if they or a loved one is experiencing memory loss.