AlzAuthors: Untangling Alzheimer's & Dementia

Register for Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Living with Dementia September 1 at 10:30 AM EST

Watch the June 2021 episode on YouTube

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Rayna Neises comes to us from the heartland of Kansas to share her experience as a former caregiver for parents with dementia. She is the author of No Regrets:Hope for Your Caregiving Season. She also hosts the podcast "A Season of Caring," and is the publisher of "Content Magazine: Finding God in Your Caregiving Season." Our conversation focuses on her belief that caregiving is "a season of life," and the necessity of finding support to navigate its challenges. She offers valuable insights for caregivers who may feel overwhelmed and isolated, and emphasizes the importance of self-care and setting boundaries. Her book, podcast, and magazine offer further support for caregivers seeking to maintain their identity and find moments of respite amidst the chaos.

In this podcast, you will:

• Embrace the enlightening concept of caregiving as a pivotal life season, rather than a mere duty;
• Learn how to navigate the complex landscape of dementia care unveiling truths that may transform your understanding of caregiving;
• Acknowledge the urgent need for advanced planning and transparent conversations around personal care choices;
• Discover that faith-based support groups may offer much-needed comfort in this demanding journey

About Rayna Neises

Rayna Neises understands the joys and challenges that come from a season of caring. She helped care for both of her parents during their separate battles with Alzheimer’s over a thirty-year span. She looks back on those days now with no regrets – and she wishes the same for everyone caring for aging parents. To help others through this challenging season of life, Rayna has written No Regrets: Hope for Your Caregiving Season, a book filled with her own heart-warming stories and practical suggestions for journeying through a caregiving season. She is an ICF Associate Certified Coach with certifications in both Life and Leadership Coaching from the Professional Christian Coaching Institute. She is also the host of “A Season of Caring Podcast” and a passion speaker. Rayna lives on a farm in southeast Kansas with her husband, Ron, and small pack of adorable dogs. She is the baby of her family, but most would never guess that. A former teacher, she enjoys crafts of all kinds and spending time with her grandkids most of all.

Connect with Rayna

Facebook.com/ASeasonofCaringRaynaNeises

Linkedin.com/RaynaNeises

Instagram.com/RaynaNeises

Pinterest.com/thcoaching

Twitter

Website

Book

About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personalexperience to light the way for others. Our podcast introducesyou to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support.Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please visit https://alzauthors.com/donate/ .

Thank you for listening.

We are a WCN Featured Podcast.

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network.

Want to be on the podcast?Here’s what you need to know.

AlzAuthors.com

Shop our Store

After a dementia diagnosis and heart surgery, Tony Copeland-Parker and his partner, Catherine, aka "Cat,"traveled for years worldwide to run marathons and half-marathons. Now, due to the progression of Cat's early onset Alzheimer's, they've recently settled down in an assisted living facility. Tony and his memoir, Running All Over the World: Our Race Against Early Onset Alzheimer's, first came to AlzAuthors in January, 2022. He has appeared on our podcast and in a virtual panel discussion, Love Stories: Keeping Romance Alive in Dementia Care. Tony is an expert on traveling with a loved one with dementia, and now speaks about the intricacies involved in finding a suitable place to settle down for the duration of Alzheimer's.

On the podcast, Tony shares how he initially struggled to accept Cat's diagnosis and find a way forward. He eventually realized that focusing on making the most of their time together was a more constructive approach than searching for a cure. By dedicating their energy to activities they love, Tony and Cat have been able to maintain their connection and find solace amidst the challenges posed by Alzheimer's.

In this episode, you will:

• Delve into Tony's enlightening journey as an Alzheimer's caregiver and the lessons he's learned
• Discover how to develop a balanced approach to caregiving that preserves your self-identity and allows you to follow your passions
• Uncover essential strategies for hassle-free traveling with a cognitively impaired loved one
• Learn the art of maintaining your own identity while caregiving without sacrificing your passions
• Discover the crucial aspects of selecting the perfect care facility for Alzheimer's care and why it matters

After the Podcast

Purchase Running All Over the World: Our Race Against Early Onset Alzheimer's

Note: We are an Amazon Associate and may receive a small commission from book sales.

Read Tony's AlzAuthors post Anthony Copeland-Parker and Partner Catherine Become Marathon Nomads

Listen to Tony's first podcast Anthony Copeland-Parker Untangles Life as a Nomad and Early Onset Alzheimer's

Listen to our panel discussion Love Stories: Keeping Romance Alive in Dementia Care

Watch our panel discussion Love Stories: Keeping Romance Alive in Dementia Care

Connect with Tony

Website and blog

Facebook

Twitter

About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personalexperience to light the way for others. Our podcast introducesyou to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support.Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please visit https://alzauthors.com/donate/ .

Thank you for listening.

We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast.

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network.

Want to be on the podcast?Here’s what you need to know.

Shop our Store

Jane Mullins, Ph.D. is a dedicated professional with a 30-year background in dementia care. As a trained nurse, Jane has worked in various roles, including managing care homes and supporting people with dementia in memory clinics. Her empathetic approach focuses on enhancing communication and understanding between individuals with dementia and their families. Jane's groundbreaking multisensory reminiscence technique has been a game-changer for couples impacted by dementia, encouraging connection and rekindling memories. Her book, "Finding the Light in Dementia Care," showcases her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those living with cognitive impairment. She recently transformed the lessons in her book into an online course, available to anyone,

In this episode, Jane highlights the importance of building trust and empathy with people with dementia and their families throughout their care journey. She believes that the person with dementia should always lead the way in their care, allowing them to create a trusting environment with the caregivers. This trust enables effective communication, which can significantly improve the person's quality of life, even in advanced stages of the disease.

In this episode, you will learn:

• how to enhance dementia caregiving communication by utilizing sensory props and crafting a secure atmosphere
• ways to streamline the learning process for caregivers with easy-to-understand, engaging, and compact educational material
• the crucial role of advanced care strategies and transparent dialogues in dementia care
• how to access the Duet Caregiving Training approach, embracing Dignity, Understanding, Empathy, and Training principles

About Jane Mullins, Ph. D

Dr. Jane M. Mullins is a dementia nurse consultant who has devoted over 25 years to the study and practice of dementia care. Through listening to and supporting people and their families during their diagnosis in memory clinics, caring for them in hospital and in care homes, she has helped throughout all of the stages of their condition.

Jane has uncovered certain common features that may help caregivers and the people they care for find better ways of coping. Her practice experience is backed up by expert knowledge gained from attending conferences, continuing education, lecturing and keeping up to date with research, as well as studying for her Ph.D. which explores multisensory ways of communicating and connecting.

Connect with Dr. Mullins

• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Mature Times

About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personalexperience to light the way for others. Our podcast introducesyou to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support.Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please visit https://alzauthors.com/donate/ .

Thank you for listening.

We are a WCN Featured Podcast.

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network.

Want to be on the podcast?Here’s what you need to know.

AlzAuthors.com

Shop our Store

A crucial aspect of caregiving is keeping those in your care engaged and productive with simple, everyday tasks. Such activities can include folding laundry, arranging books, cooking, and eating. Not only does this provide purpose and enjoyment for the care recipient, but it also promotes independence and preserves dignity. Encouraging participation in daily tasks, even in a small capacity, can significantly enhance the overall quality of life for both caregiver and care recipient.

In this podcast, Melissa Bernstein, an occupational therapist, and David Bernstein, a geriatrician with over 40 years of practice, share the importance of these regular activities and how they can benefit those receiving care. They stress the value of including all the senses in these tasks, such as playing music while cooking or eating. The goal is to create a rich, sensory experience that nurtures and engages the mind and body, thereby fostering continued independence and self-worth in the care recipient's life.

In this episode, you will be able to:

·Discover their groundbreaking "Power of Five" formula for preventing neurodegenerative diseases.

·Explore compassionate approaches to nutrition and engagement for Alzheimer's caregivers and their loved ones.

·Foster independence and uphold dignity in dementia and Alzheimer's care.

·Unlock flavorful secrets from Melissa's cookbook for healthy eating and pet care.

After the Podcast

Read Melissa and David's AlzAuthors posts

Melissa Bernstein Creates a Cookbook for Caregivers

Doctor Shares Strategies for Dealing with Unsafe Senior Drivers

Discover their books:

The Power of Five Formula:The Ultimate Formula for Longevity & Remaining Youthful

Power of 5 Test Kitchen Cookbook Your Guide to Healthy Cooking and Eating

The Power of 5 Test Kitchen Cookbook: Caregiver Edition

I've Got Some Good News and Some Bad News: YOU'RE OLD: Tales of a Geriatrician, What to expect in your 60's, 70's, 80's, and Beyond

Senior Driving Dilemmas

Note: We are an Amazon Associate and may receive a small commission from books sales.

Connect with Melissa

The Powerof5life.com website

Facebook

Instagram

Connect with Dr. Bernstein

Website

Facebook.com/DrDavidBernstein/

LinkedIn

Twitter

***

About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer's and dementia from personalexperience to light the way for others. Our podcast introducesyou to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support.Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please visit https://alzauthors.com/donate/ .

Thank you for listening.

We are a WCN Featured Podcast.

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network.

Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know.

Thanks for listening.

AlzAuthors.com

Shop our Store

When Sandra Strauss' husband, Rick, was diagnosed with dementia overnight, she was determined to uncover the truth behind the cause--but what she discovered was far more shocking than anyone could have imagined. Unbeknownst to them, Rick had a rare genetic predisposition that made him highly susceptible to environmental toxins--a factor that could be making countless people sick. Sandra's journey to uncover the truth has now become a mission to help others navigate this complex terrain as she embarks on writing a book to share her experience and raise awareness.

In this episode, you will be able to:

·Discover the powerful connection between environmental toxins and the development of brain disorders and dementia.

·Recognize the crucial role of addressing cognitive decline at its roots and understanding its early signs.

·Master practical solutions to caregiving challenges such as driving limitations and effective communication.

·Uncover the importance of seeking educated and functional medical professionals when addressing dementia care.

·Harness the benefits of prioritizing self-care, mental health, and support networks for caregivers.

About the Author

Sandra Strauss is an experienced consumer health educator who has dedicated her career to helping individuals navigate complex health issues and promoting healthy lifestyles. With her former role as the VP of Consumer Affairs for the Fruit and Vegetable Association, she has been a strong advocate for health, harmony, and happiness. In her work, she explores the effects of environmental toxins on the brain and their role in dementia development. Sandra is the author of several books, including A Toxic Brain: Revelations from a Health Journey.

After the Podcast

Read Sandra's AlzAuthors post: A Toxic Brain by Author Sandra Strauss Details Her Husband’s 12-Year Dementia Journey

Purchase A Toxic Brain: Revelations from a Health Journey

Note: We are an Amazon Associate and may receive a small commission from books sales.

Connect with Sandra

Website

LinkedIn

FB page

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok:#atoxicbrain

About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer's and dementia from personalexperience to light the way for others. Our podcast introducesyou to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support.Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please visit https://alzauthors.com/donate/ .

Thank you for listening.

We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast.

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network.

Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know.

Thanks for listening.

AlzAuthors.com

Shop our Store

In celebration of National Poetry Month, we hosted a gathering of poets on April 18, 2023, to share work inspired by their dementia experiences.

We understand that storytelling, of any kind, but especially through poetry lightens burdens. For many caregivers, poetry can be a means of expression, of sharing their experience,opening hearts to joy, or drowning sorrows. Finding the right words to tell our stories can ease our journey. Reading the words of others can inspire us, give us strength, and let us knowwe are not alone.

The response to our initial invitation to a poetry reading was tremendous and better than we expected. More than 60 authors RSVP'd, and on the day of the reading more than 30 showed up to read and share their beautiful words and stories with honesty and grace. We shared laughter and tears, too.

Now, thirty poets is a lot of poets! And a lot of poems. We accommodated everyone by stretching the program out to two hours. Many poets got to read twice. What resulted is almost 2-hours of recorded poetry on the dementia journey, now available on our podcast in two episodes and on our YouTube channel. Welcome to episode two.

Get out the tissues and start listening!

Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Gms7c16PGyQ

Here are some of the comments we've received:

·"The reading was heartfelt and healing. Thank you so much everyone!" Therese Halscheid

·"Thanks to the organizers and readers for a beautiful and healing session." Mariana Mcdonald

·"I want to thank everyone for sharing so many superb poems revealing so much on such a difficult subject." Walter Bargen

·"This was a wonderful, powerful, affirming reading. I want to thank AlzAuthors for organizing this. I am so grateful to all the brave voices who speak from a deep authority on Alzheimer’s/dementia." Margaret Stawowy

·"Today I was privileged to be one of many poets associated with AlzAuthors on a conference call. To hear the shared words of their experiences similar to my own gave me a sense of unity. I felt part of a village. That’s what we are, really. We’re all part of the village, managing whatever life has given us. Never forget, whatever your life is, you are part of the village." Rene Terry Mucci

·"This was so wonderful. I have been so touched by everyone’s words today. Keep writing!" Christy Byrne Yates

·"Remembering our loved ones like this always heals my heart." Charlie Becker

Featured Poets

• Alan Bern
• Ann Campanella
• Annette Wick
• Caroline Johnson
• Charlie Becker
• Dorothy Horne
• Felicia Mitchell
• Joy Johnston
• Judith Lechner
• Kelly DuMar
• Lori Aden
• Margaret Stawowy
• Mariana Mcdonald
• Marion Cohen
• Marjorie Maddox
• Marsha Barber
• Mary Crescenzo
• Paul Sohar
• Pauletta Hansel
• Pauli Pedersen
• Rene Terry Mucci
• Sandra Berris
• Sherri Levine
• Steve Giblin
• Sue Fagalde Lick
• Susan J. Farese
• Therese
• Tom and Karen Brenner
• Tony Copeland-Parker
• Virginia Pasquarelli
• Walter Bargen

Resources

Storms of the Inland Sea: Poems of Alzheimer's and Dementia CaregivingbyMargaret Stawowy(Editor),Jim Cokas(Editor)

Download our free booklet "Poetry for the Dementia Journey," featuring 17 collections of poetry.

In celebration of National Poetry Month, we hosted a gathering of poets on April 18, 2023, to share work inspired by their dementia experiences.

We understand that storytelling, of any kind, but especially through poetry lightens burdens. For many caregivers, poetry can be a means of expression, of sharing their experience,opening hearts to joy, or drowning sorrows. Finding the right words to tell our stories can ease our journey. Reading the words of others can inspire us, give us strength, and let us knowwe are not alone.

The response to our initial invitation to a poetry reading was tremendous and better than we expected. More than 60 authors RSVP'd, and on the day of the reading more than 30 showed up to read and share their beautiful words and stories with honesty and grace. We shared laughter and tears, too.

Now, thirty poets is a lot of poets! And a lot of poems. We accommodated everyone by stretching the program out to two hours. Many poets got to read twice. What resulted is almost 2-hours of recorded poetry on the dementia journey, now available on our podcast in two episodes and on our YouTube channel. Welcome to episode one.

Get out the tissues and start listening!

Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Gms7c16PGyQ

Here are some of the comments we've received:

·"The reading was heartfelt and healing. Thank you so much everyone!" Therese Halscheid

·"Thanks to the organizers and readers for a beautiful and healing session." Mariana Mcdonald

·"I want to thank everyone for sharing so many superb poems revealing so much on such a difficult subject." Walter Bargen

·"This was a wonderful, powerful, affirming reading. I want to thank AlzAuthors for organizing this. I am so grateful to all the brave voices who speak from a deep authority on Alzheimer’s/dementia." Margaret Stawowy

·"Today I was privileged to be one of many poets associated with AlzAuthors on a conference call. To hear the shared words of their experiences similar to my own gave me a sense of unity. I felt part of a village. That’s what we are, really. We’re all part of the village, managing whatever life has given us. Never forget, whatever your life is, you are part of the village." Rene Terry Mucci

·"This was so wonderful. I have been so touched by everyone’s words today. Keep writing!" Christy Byrne Yates

·"Remembering our loved ones like this always heals my heart." Charlie Becker

Featured Poets

• Alan Bern
• Ann Campanella
• Annette Wick
• Caroline Johnson
• Charlie Becker
• Dorothy Horne
• Felicia Mitchell
• Joy Johnston
• Judith Lechner
• Kelly DuMar
• Lori Aden
• Margaret Stawowy
• Mariana Mcdonald
• Marion Cohen
• Marjorie Maddox
• Marsha Barber
• Mary Crescenzo
• Paul Sohar
• Pauletta Hansel
• Pauli Pedersen
• Rene Terry Mucci
• Sandra Berris
• Sherri Levine
• Steve Giblin
• Sue Fagalde Lick
• Susan J. Farese
• Therese
• Tom and Karen Brenner
• Tony Copeland-Parker
• Virginia Pasquarelli
• Walter Bargen

Resources

Storms of the Inland Sea: Poems of Alzheimer's and Dementia CaregivingbyMargaret Stawowy(Editor),Jim Cokas(Editor)

Download our free booklet "Poetry for the Dementia Journey," featuring 17 collections of poetry.

Cindy Weinstein is an English professor at the California Institute of Technology and the author of the award-winning Finding the Right Words: A Story of Literature, Grief, and the Brain, based on her experience with her father's early onset Alzheimer's in the 1980's. During her father's illness she was a graduate student at the University of California at Berkley, separated from her family in Florida by more than 3,000 miles.

Her family's dementia journey had a long-lasting impact on her, and decades later she decided to write a book about it with the assistance of neurologist Bruce Miller, MD. It's the tale of a daughter's grief, of how she was studying and mastering language while her father struggled with word-finding. This irony intrigued her to the point she went on to study neurology herself with an interdisciplinary group of scientists, artists, social scientists, and physicians at The Global Brain Health Institute based at the University of California at San Francisco and Trinity College, Dublin. During this time, she worked with Dr. Miller on Finding the Right Words, which won third place in Memoir Magazine's 2022 Memoir Prize for Books.

Cindy was born and raised in Verona, New Jersey. She received her B.A. in English and American Literature from Brandeis University, after which she went to UC Berkeley for her Ph.D. in English. She is currently the Eli and Edythe Broad Professor of English and has been at the California Institute of Technology since 1989, during which time she has published three monographs on American literature, edited several volumes, and taught classes on Herman Melville, Edgar Allan Poe, Women’s Fiction, and Black literature. She has had several administrative roles at Caltech, including Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer.

In this episode, we discuss the shock of her father's death and her lifelong grief, her desire to study the language that surrounds a dementia diagnosis and her mission to help others by writing a book about it, and how working with Dr. Miller helped her better understand the changes dementia brought to her father's brain.

After the Podcast

Read Cindy's AlzAuthors post: Cindy Weinstein’s Memoir of Father’s Early-Onset Alzheimer’s

Purchase Finding the Right Words: A Story of Literature, Grief, and the Brain

Note: We are an Amazon Associate and may receive a small commission from books sales.

Connect with Cindy

Amazon.com

Website: Finding the Right Words – Cindy Weinstein & Dr. Bruce Miller (weinsteinandmiller.com)

Cindy Weinstein – Professor Of English – Caltech | LinkedIn

Instagram

Mastodon

Other Mentions

Emory and Aging Center UCSF

Bruce Miller, MD

Ruth Stevens Podcast

Susan Farese, MSN, RN, Podcast

Sign up for Laura Davis' Writing Workshop

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About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer's and dementia from personalexperience to light the way for others. Our podcast introducesyou to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support.Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please visit https://alzauthors.com/donate/ .

Thank you for listening.

We are a WCN Featured Podcast.

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network.

Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know.

Thanks for listening.

AlzAuthors.com

Shop our Store

Poetry, whether reading or writing it, can be a powerful tool to ease our dementia caregiving journey, allowing us to express our deepest emotions, unravel our confusion and angst, and learn from and understand others.

Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN is the author of Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring, poems written when she became a nurse poet in the 1990's. Heartbreaking memories of losing her grandmother, Ann, to early onset Alzheimer's when she was a young teen inspired her first poem, Ann's Zest Ends.

In this episode, we discuss how witnessing her grandmother's decline as a child profoundly impacted her even 50 years later, why a chance scene in a movie inspired her to start writing poetry, and the value of poetry as expression for nurses and caregivers.

A native of New Jersey, Susan has decades of experience in health care and communications, including military and civilian nursing practice, management, education/training, public speaking, research, and consulting. She is owner/president of SJF Communications, based in San Diego, California. SJF Communications provides public relations, marketing, social media, websites, writing, filmmaking, acting, public speaking, mentoring and photography. She currently teaches "Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku" workshops and has published poetry and articles on a variety of topics.

In addition to being on the advisory board ofSan Diego Film Week, Susan is a member ofSAG-AFTRA,American Legion Post 43,Veterans in Media & Entertainment,San Diego Writers InktheSan Diego Press Club, theSouthern California Writers Association,theArmy Nurse Corps Association.Since 2017, she has been a Mentor in San Diego State University’sAztec MentorProgram.

April is National Poetry Month

Please join us on April 18th at 2 pm when we present Poetry for the Dementia Journey, an AlzAuthors Live! Virtual Q&A featuring several of our poets. Subscribe to our website at alzauthors.com to receive notice of these events.

After the Podcast

Read Susan's AlzAuthors post:

Susan J. Farese Reflects on Alzheimer’s and Nursing in Poetry

Buy the book:

Purchase Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring

Note: We are an Amazon Associate and may receive a small commission from books sales.

Listen to Susan read Ann's Zest Ends, her tribute to her grandmother, on Audible

Connect with Susan

Website

FacebookBusiness Page

Instagram@sjfcommo

Twitter@sjfcommo

Contact:[email protected]

***

About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer's and dementia from personalexperience to light the way for others. Our podcast introducesyou to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support.Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please visit https://alzauthors.com/donate/ .

Thank you for listening.

We are a WCN Featured Podcast.

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network.

Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know.

Thanks for listening.

AlzAuthors.com

Shop our Store

Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW, is the author of two books in the AlzAuthors collection. She came to us in 2016 with her book, Caring for a Husband with Dementia: The Ultimate Survival Guide, inspired by her experience counseling eight amazing caregiving women. Her second book, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, & Memory Loss: A Helpful Guide for Caregivers, was recently published and was featured on our blog on February 10th. Her books have been referred to as "a first aid kit," for caregivers.

A social worker specializing in geriatrics with more than 25 years' experience, Angela currently works as a consultant to assist families on a dementia journey using a variety of modalities.

Her carer spans work in healthcare, private practice, long-term care, home care, and non-profits, and she has written seven books and countless articles, contributed to two books, and co-authored a mobile app for iOS calledDementia Caregiver Solutions.

In 2021, she started up a little hobby business called Gentle Angel Treasures, which includes her handcrafted bracelets and jewelry made from genuine, semi-precious, crystal healing gemstones.

Angela is married, has two adult children, and lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba. When she is not working or making jewelry, she enjoys writing, travelling, photography, and exploring what it means to age well.

In this episode we discuss the value of working with a social worker one-on-one to navigate the myriad of issues related to dementia care, how language affects discussions around dementia, the upside to using humor in caregiving, and the realities of canine cognitive dysfunction, aka doggie dementia.

After the Podcast

Read Angela's AlzAuthors posts: add the second

Caring for a Husband with Dementia: Self-Help Book Educates, Supports and Comforts

Purchase Angela's books:

Caring for a Husband with Dementia: The Ultimate Survival Guide

Alzheimer’s, Dementia, & Memory Loss: A Helpful Guide for Caregivers

Note: We are an Amazon Associate and may receive a small commission from book sales.

Check out Dementia Caregiver Solutions, app

Watch the video for Brent Hoag's song, "Sail On, which he wrote as a poem for his wife, Sally, who lives with Alzheimer’s. The words were put to music by Songfinch and are sung by Effee.

Connect with Angela

Website

Facebook

Dementia Caregiver Solutions Support Group on Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

***

About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer's and dementia from personalexperience to light the way for others. Our podcast introducesyou to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support.Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please visit https://alzauthors.com/donate/ .

Thank you for listening.

We are a WCN Featured Podcast.

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network.

Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know.

Thanks for listening.

AlzAuthors.com

Shop our Store