Dementia Discussions

Today Barbara welcomes Denise to the podcast. An only child, Denise says she never saw herself as a caregiver, but when her mother was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s, everything changed. She and Barbara discuss the complex emotions and transitions involved once you receive the diagnosis – not only for the one who gets the diagnosis but all those who care for them. Denise tells Barbara that hearing the diagnosis was confirmation that her mother was no longer self-aware enough to know what she needed. From then on, it was up to Denise to make all the decisions.

Would you like to share your caregiver story on Dementia Discussions? Call or email Barbara directly, she’d love to hear from you! (310-362-8232 / [email protected])

Today Barbara welcomes her colleague and friend Doria to the podcast. They discuss Doria’s experience caring for her mother, Jeanette, from when she had a stroke during the Northridge earthquake (1994) until she died at 82. Doria talks about how difficult it was to find caregivers due to their lack of resources, and how her mother was often mistreated and harmed by women they’d hired. Acknowledging her mother’s pain is what motivated Doria – at the age of 50 – to go back to school to become a geriatric social worker. She finds the work rewarding but also heart-breaking due to the lack of support available to lower income populations. She and Barbara discuss the ethnic and cultural disparities and how money is consistently the biggest barrier to adequate resources and support. 

Today Barbara welcomes her colleague and friend Doria to the podcast. They discuss Doria’s experience caring for her mother, Jeanette, from when she had a stroke during the Northridge earthquake (1994) until she died at 82. Doria talks about how difficult it was to find caregivers due to their lack of resources, and how her mother was often mistreated and harmed by women they’d hired. Acknowledging her mother’s pain is what motivated Doria – at the age of 50 – to go back to school to become a geriatric social worker. She finds the work rewarding but also heart-breaking due to the lack of support available to lower income populations. She and Barbara discuss the ethnic and cultural disparities and how money is consistently the biggest barrier to adequate resources and support. 

Today Ed Mount joins Barbara to talk about his ongoing journey as a caregiver. Ed’s father died from Alzheimer’s in 2012 and his mother Judy is now suffering from the disease. He and Barbara discuss the different phases of Alzheimer’s and the various caregivers Ed has encountered throughout the years. Through his experiences, Ed shares what he’s learned along the way and what he wishes he’d done differently. 

Today Ed Mount joins Barbara to talk about his ongoing journey as a caregiver. Ed’s father died from Alzheimer’s in 2012 and his mother Judy is now suffering from the disease. He and Barbara discuss the different phases of Alzheimer’s and the various caregivers Ed has encountered throughout the years. Through his experiences, Ed shares what he’s learned along the way and what he wishes he’d done differently. 

When Adam Steinman’s mother-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s four years ago, his kids were two and six. Adam joins Barbara to share his experience caring for younger children and aging parents, a phenomenon known as the Sandwich Generation. Adam remembers his mother-in-law as incredibly vibrant and fiercely independent, a progressive thinker who would “always tell you what she thought.” For Adam and his wife, this made knowing something was awry that much more obvious. He and Barbara talk about the stress of “double caregiving,” feeling like you’re always choosing one over the other, and how he tries to normalize things for his children as much as he can. 

When Adam Steinman’s mother-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s four years ago, his kids were two and six. Adam joins Barbara to share his experience caring for younger children and aging parents, a phenomenon known as the Sandwich Generation. Adam remembers his mother-in-law as incredibly vibrant and fiercely independent, a progressive thinker who would “always tell you what she thought.” For Adam and his wife, this made knowing something was awry that much more obvious. He and Barbara talk about the stress of “double caregiving,” feeling like you’re always choosing one over the other, and how he tries to normalize things for his children as much as he can. 

Today Barbara is joined by Gary Zembow and Marcy Lebovitz to discuss Gary’s mother, Esther. Now 94, Esther was born in Poland, and was the only member of her family to survive the Holocaust. Gary and Marcy describe Esther as bright, happy and cheerful, despite what she lived through as a child. They first remember noticing dementia symptoms after she had anesthesia for back surgery. It was never diagnosed, but they assume it was frontotemporal because she had trouble finding words. 

They talk about their caregiving journey as Esther’s symptoms declined, beginning at an independent living facility, then hiring private caregivers for additional support until it was clear she needed to be in a dedicated memory care facility. Gary talks about the painful experience of finding a memory care facility and the inadequate care his mother received there. “We battled the management,” he says, “but they refused to listen.” Almost two years ago, they found an opening at a small “Board and Care” facility, where Esther has been there ever since.

This episode is dedicated to Esther Zembow, who passed away after the recording of this episode. We send our love and condolences to Gary, Marcy, and everyone who loved and cared for Esther. 

Today Barbara is joined by Gary Zembow and Marcy Lebovitz to discuss Gary’s mother, Esther. Now 94, Esther was born in Poland, and was the only member of her family to survive the Holocaust. Gary and Marcy describe Esther as bright, happy and cheerful, despite what she lived through as a child. They first remember noticing dementia symptoms after she had anesthesia for back surgery. It was never diagnosed, but they assume it was frontotemporal because she had trouble finding words. 

They talk about their caregiving journey as Esther’s symptoms declined, beginning at an independent living facility, then hiring private caregivers for additional support until it was clear she needed to be in a dedicated memory care facility. Gary talks about the painful experience of finding a memory care facility and the inadequate care his mother received there. “We battled the management,” he says, “but they refused to listen.” Almost two years ago, they found an opening at a small “Board and Care” facility, where Esther has been there ever since.

This episode is dedicated to Esther Zembow, who passed away after the recording of this episode. We send our love and condolences to Gary, Marcy, and everyone who loved and cared for Esther. 

Paul Spiegelman joins Barbara to talk about caregiving for his mother, Lila, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2015. At first, Paul’s father did all the caregiving while Paul, who lives in Dallas, did what he could to support his father (a “caregiver’s caregiver”). As Lila’s condition declined, Paul says he could see the strain on his father. That’s when he knew his parents needed more help. He and Barbara discuss the adjustment that comes when you bring in professional caregivers, and Paul describes the sense of security he now has, knowing someone is always there for them.