Looking for ways to have better visits with my Mom is the genesis of the Fading Memories podcast. After two and a half years, I've learned a lot more about engagement. By learning how to give seniors a purpose and find things they enjoy, we go a long way into having meaningful visits. By bringing an entertainment and participation component, Make Grandma Smile is looking to standardized senior engagement and activities.

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How can you survive being an Alzheimer's caregiver and remain a well spouse? When you are experiencing sorrow, fear, frustration, agony, exhaustion, and depression, and when the level of caregiving stress makes you feel on the verge of a total breakdown, know that you are not alone. There is not the way, there is not a single right way and there is definitely no easy way. However, there are paths through this arduous task.

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When you've decided to manage care, other steps are now needed. It's essential to develop a care philosophy, goals, and strategies for reaching the target with the patient. A plan will allow everyone involved with the care to have a clear understanding of the patient's wishes. You'll have a plan to deliver them.

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Sometimes caregiving can feel like we're living on Planet Alz

Caregivers live on Planet Alz, which is a different planet than earth. When you see us walking down the street, you may think that we look normal, but we are not. We are actually on a different planet. In our world, the normal rules do not apply. Everything is unpredictable, and anything can happen at any moment.

As caregivers know, living with Alzheimer's is like living on a different planet. Sometimes we're with our intergalactic traveler, and sometimes we wonder where they are. Understanding that we have to be in “their” reality helps us navigate this unusual planet.

Life on Planet Alz is the true story of my guest, Jack Cohen, and his journey caring for his wife. Speaking to me all the way from Israel, we chat about his experiences, the challenges he and his children faced and, how providing care differs in Israel.

For the most part, caregiving and Alzheimer's are pretty similar worldwide. All in all the challenges are pretty much the same. I know you will enjoy this episode.

Transcript

Related episode:

Activities for People Living with Alzheimer's

 
Join Fading Memories On Social Media!
Definitely, share this podcast with other caregivers!  Find us on social media at the following links.

Facebook    Instagram    Twitter

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel. There you can see me in “action” and watch the bonus videos I share.

Want to learn from Jennifer in person (or virtually)? Wherever you'd like a training session, Jen is available. Contact her at fadingmemoriespodcast@gmail.com

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Finding joy is easier when we have positive connections with our loved ones.

Finding joy and contentment is easier when we have positive connections with each other. Our words and actions play a significant role in determining the quality of our loved ones' lives. Creating happy moments with my Mom was a top priority while I was caring for her. It was an elusive and challenging goal but a worthy one.

Since our mental well being also plays a significant role in their quality of life, it's crucial to guard it as if their life depends upon it. By carefully choosing our words and actions, we influence the behavior of our loved ones. If we can remain positive, we are likely to have more positive interactions. More positive interactions will lead to less stress and frustration for everyone. Who doesn't want less stress & frustration?

Transcript
Related Episode:
You Are The Expert with The Dementia Nurse

 
Join Fading Memories On Social Media!
Share this podcast with other caregivers!  You'll find us on social media at the following links.

Facebook    Instagram    Twitter

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel. There you can see me in “action” and watch the bonus videos I share.

Want to learn from Jennifer in person (or virtually)? Wherever you'd like a training session, Jen is available.

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Can the digital networks that record our footprints hold us steady when dementia threatens to push us off the path? The question has real stakes for data analyst Charlie Sanders, His best hope for a father succumbing to Alzheimer’s comes from assistive technology that Charlie helps design. Will Charlie keep his father and his country on track or turn a whole generation into glitches?

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Longer and longer lives are becoming the norm.  Understandably, caregiving, and employment are bound to become a clash of responsibilities. Caregivers and employers working together can avoid complicating these competing responsibilities. In the end, what's good for the employee is good for the employer, right?

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Part of forming your caregiving team might include a millennial or even a younger person. Learning about their unique challenges will allow all of us to handle caregiving in a more compassionate and understanding way.

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Flexing our brain muscle is important but it also needs to be fun!

Are you looking for a way to flex your brain muscle in a fun and creative way? Would you also like to improve your connection with others, especially your loved one?

Fun makes us stronger and feel better. Games that engage, entertain and stimulate the brain in a fun and creative ways help you think differently, improve your concentration, and might even help you spend some quality time with the person you care for.

If you’ve tried other cognitive games and found them leaving you feeling dumb and frustrated then you’ll be excited to learn about a new whole new option. You can have fun and exercise your brain right in your own home or this program can be utilized in a care home setting.

However you get your brain muscles on, you’ll surely enjoy Neurosize. Even if the games don't ultimately help you maintain cognitive health, you'll surely have a good time playing them.
Related Episodes
Tea & Brain Health – A Look at My Favorite Drink

Move It or Lose It – Exercise & Brain Health
Join Fading Memories On Social Media!
By all means, share this podcast with other caregivers!  You can find us on social media at the following links.

Facebook    Instagram    Twitter

Also, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel. There you can see me in “action” and watch the bonus videos I share. You can check out the funny visuals while you're there.

Jennifer is also available for speaking engagements.

Contact her at fadingmemoriespodcast@gmail.com

Download Transcript

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In this episode, I bring you as many tips, suggestions, and ideas as we could fit in an hour. My guest, Barbara Cohn cared for her husband for a decade. He had younger-onset Alzheimer’s. In writing her book Calmer Waters, it was Barbaras' goal to help other caregivers feel happier, have more energy and time for themselves, sleep better, and feel more relaxed.

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