Dr. Sherry Yafai joins me to discuss cannabis as a treatment for many symptoms that arise with dementia. As an emergency room physician turned cannabis clinician, Dr. Yafai shares her expertise on using cannabis for issues like anxiety, sleep disturbances, and pain. We discuss appropriate dosing, cannabis formulations, and most importantly - seeing…

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Gabrielle "Dr. Gabby" Mahler, a mobile dentist who makes house calls to patients, the majority of whom have varying stages of dementia. Dr. Gabby explains how she can perform cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, and denture fittings in clients' homes and residential facilities. She also shares creative strateg…

Joining me in this episode is Kevin Jameson, founder and CEO of the Dementia Society of America. Kevin shares his personal journey of caring for his wife who was diagnosed with dementia, which led him to start this organization. He provides an in-depth look at the various types of dementia, the importance of early diagnosis, and lifestyle changes w…

In this episode, we invite back special guest, Tami Anastasia. I had the pleasure of meeting Tami at an Aging Life Care Association Conference, where Tami's expertise in dementia care stood out. Tami is not just a dementia consultant; she's also an educator and the author of "Essential Strategies for the Dementia Caregiver: Learning to Pace Yoursel…

The holidays can be an especially difficult time for dementia caregivers. In this compassionate episode, expert Tammy Anastasia shares her top strategies to reduce caregiver stress, honor feelings of grief, and create new meaningful traditions. I had the pleasure of meeting Tami at an Aging Life Care Association Conference, where Tami's expertise i…

In this heartfelt episode, I welcome back Jay Swerdlow, a longtime support group member. Jay shares the difficult journey of placing his wife Andy, who has Alzheimer's disease, into memory care. He discusses the challenges of caring for her at home as her disease progressed and delusions worsened. Though it broke his heart, Jay knew he had to make …

Today I welcome Debbie, a dedicated wife caring for her husband who is living with Lewy body dementia (LBD). Debbie shares the daily ups and downs of managing her husband's diagnosis, coping strategies that help her stay resilient, and advice for other caregivers walking a similar path. Debbie’s husband was diagnosed with LBD about 5 years ago but …

I had the pleasure of sitting down with clinical psychologist Dr. Genifer Goldsmith to discuss the immense stress and guilt that comes with being a caregiver. Our collaboration in co-facilitating a caregiver support group at UCLA for Alzheimer's Disease Research and care has been nothing short of enlightening. As someone who facilitates a caregiver…

In today’s episode, I speak with another member of my support group, Beth Lanie, a devoted caregiver to her husband Howard, who has been diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies. Beth shares her heartfelt experience, providing insights into the challenges, triumphs, and evolving dynamics of caregiving for a loved one with a progressive neurological…

My special guest this week is Valerie Rennert, who opens up about her father's journey with dementia. She shares how their family first became aware of his condition and the ways they tried to support him. Despite the challenges, Valerie emphasizes the silver lining: her father's happiness in the present moment, free from stress. Valerie fondly rem…

Today I'm joined by Noma Kaz, a seasoned caregiving professional specializing in dementia care. Throughout our conversation, Noma shares her extensive knowledge and experience in the field, helping us explore the intricate dynamics of caregiving for dementia patients, the qualities to seek in an ideal caregiver, and the necessary steps to ensure th…

Franne Golde opens up about her journey with her husband, Paul, who was diagnosed with a disease they knew very little about. Our conversation covers the challenges of finding care for Paul, the timing and benefits of hospice care, and several tools and book recommendations for all caregivers. It's a show that addresses difficult topics, but it's a…

Finding strength in a community of other caregivers, in this powerful episode, I’ll speak to Amy Kent, a member of my support group who is caring for both of her parents with dementia. Amy shares her personal story of the day-to-day struggles of caregiving, from hiring caregivers to managing their declining health. She also talks about the emotiona…

It’s amazing how much music comes up in these conversations where we delve into the experiences of those caring for loved ones with dementia. In this episode, James Savage shares his personal journey caring for his wife as her ability to converse fades, he finds himself feeling increasingly isolated and alone, with music providing a vital lifeline …

Today Barbara is joined by her friend and colleague Bunni Dybnis. A licensed marriage and family therapist, Bunni worked as an Aging Life Care Manager for years and is now a mediator, helping families of the aging and terminally ill work through bereavement, adjustments and transitions. She tells Barbara about her journey to the field of geriatrics…

Today Barbara’s guest is Sandra Hunnicutt. Sandra shares her story of taking care of her husband, Don, a brilliant UCLA professor who was a “man on fire” until 2018, when he began to show signs of memory impairment and was diagnosed with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment. Sandra was Don’s sole caregiver for four years, until his condition deter…

Today Barbara is pleased to welcome David Hart, a professor and clinical psychologist who specializes in dementia and caregiving. David is a faculty member in the Department of Counseling at California State University, Fullerton, and is the director of clinical services at Always Best Care Senior Services in Torrance, CA. David shares his personal…

Nancy Tahara joins Barbara to talk about caring for her friend of 40 years. Now 81, he suffers from Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease, and REM sleep behavior disorder. He asked her to come take care of him a year-and-a-half ago, and she’s been his full-time caregiver ever since. Sadly, her friend’s condition is deteriorating quickly, both phy…

Today Barbara is joined by Evelyn Garcia, who cares for her mother who has younger-onset dementia. Evelyn was living in Virginia when she got a call from her mother’s doctor, saying she couldn’t live alone any longer. When Evelyn flew out to Los Angeles, she realized how bad things were: her mother was paranoid and forgetful, cried all the time, an…

Dani Klein Modisett is the founder and CEO of Laughter On Call which pairs comedians with Alzheimer’s patients. She’ll reveal the story behind the formation of this brilliant idea and explain why laughter really is the best medicine. Writer-comedian, Dani Modisett, has been performing comedy for over 20 years. She taught the art of stand-up comedy …

Katie is a new caregiver, taking care of her mother who is in the early stages of “advanced cognitive decline.“ She’s also caregiving from a distance. She’ll discuss trying to navigate through this new experience and how she’s found support for both her mom and herself. Want to share your story? Barbara would love to have you as her guest on Dement…

Today Barbara is joined by her friend and colleague Natalie Stanger. Twenty years ago, Natalie started a company to “help seniors do the things they could no longer do or didn’t want to do,” and it’s kept her busy ever since. Natalie talks about how she got into the world of geriatrics and found her niche as a Daily Money Manager (a “DMM”). They di…

Today Barbara is joined by Heidi Artman, who is caring for her husband, Lee. Heidi first noticed Lee’s memory problems in 2015, but it wasn’t until recently that he received a diagnosis. Because Lee has struggled with bipolar disorder since his early 30s, what was happening in his brain was difficult to diagnose. Heidi and Barbara talk about the co…

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…

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 mistrea…

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 le…

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 w…

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 s…

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. T…

Steve Johnson joins Barbara to talk about caring for his wife of 22 years, Bonnie. In September of 2020, Bonnie was diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. He says the onset was radical – they’d taken a family trip in June but by August, Bonnie no longer recognized him. He tells Barbara about how much his life has changed in just two years, an…

Are you a caregiver with a story to share? Please call Barbara at 310-362-8232. Today Barbara is joined by Kimberly Cruelle, whose husband was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s six years ago at the age of 47. She tells Barbara about the early signs, starting with memory loss that quickly became severe. They discuss the challenges of young onse…

Barbara kicks off today's episode with a question for you: Would you (or someone you know) like to help other caregivers by sharing your caregiving story on Dementia Discussions? If so, Barbara would love to hear from you! Call or text: 310-362-8232. Next, Barbara welcomes facility placement specialist Stacy Brooks. Stacy’s company, Heart Light, he…

Today Barbara welcomes back Dotti McLean, whose husband Brian was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease seven years ago. They talk about how the disease has progressed, and all the things Dotti has learned along the way. Dotti describes some of the physical problems – losing his muscle memory, having a hard time walking, getting dizzy and falling down…

Today Barbara is joined by Marty Stevens-Heeber, founder and CEO of Clear Home Solutions. An accomplished business woman and entrepreneur, Marty tells Barbara why she was drawn to working with older adults. They discuss her work as a Senior Move Manager, a fairly new but growing role devoted to helping families deal with the difficult (and potentia…

Today Barbara is joined by Bobbie Schwarcz to talk about Bobbie’s father-in-law, Chuck, who died several years ago. When Bobbie met Chuck, he’d already been diagnosed with dementia. Bobbie describes Chuck as an intelligent, charming, and fascinating man who’d been quite an accomplished musician. As his disease progressed, Bobbie started listening t…

Today Barbara is joined by social gerontologist Benjamin Surmi. As director of culture, training and Koelsch Innovation Lab for Koelsch Communities, Benjamin focuses on seeking the most effective ways to support family caregivers. In the past, he says, most tools were human – nurses, dog walkers, house cleaners, drivers, bookkeepers. These days, th…

A lot has happened since Ted Snyder was Barbara’s guest on Dementia Discussions last April. Today he tells Barbara how his wife Rena’s condition has progressed from mild cognitive impairment to late-stage Alzheimer’s; how she is often unresponsive, although she always responds well to music. Unstable on her feet, after Rena fell several times in th…

Today Barbara welcomes back Owen Frances. Owen lost Rhonda, his precious wife of 52 years, to Alzheimer’s disease last year. In a beautiful, heartfelt, and extremely moving tribute, Owen shares memories and stories about Rhonda. He describes a remarkable woman who helped countless others through their grief as a bereavement counselor. “There was no…

In her first podcast of 2022, Barbara is joined by Cheri Dickard whose mother, 82, was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia (LBD) three years ago. Cheri tells Barbara how one of her sisters -- a professional healer who works with many older clients -- had picked up on the signs much earlier, recommending natural remedies (exercise, fresh air). But her…

Happy Holidays from Dementia Discussions! In Barbara’s last podcast of 2021, she reflects on the past year and why she started Dementia Discussions. She also talks about the importance and benefits of gratitude, and two of the things she’s especially grateful for this year.By Barbara Hament

Today Barbara is joined by Dr. Linda Ercoli, a clinical psychology professor and the director of UCLA’s Longevity Center. Linda has always been fascinated by what happens in the brain with dementia, and her graduate work was in geriatric psychology and the issues that elders face in our society. She talks to Barbara about neuropsychology, in which …

Today Barbara welcomes Stefanie Elkins to the podcast. Stefanie is an aging-life care manager and an end-of-life doula whose company, Be Present Care, supports and guides families through end-of-life caring and planning decisions. They discuss the breadth and roles of a family caregiver, and how difficult it can be to make end-of-life decisions for…

Today Barbara talks with Karen Tucker, who attends her Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) support group at UCLA. Karen takes care of her 71-year-old husband, who was diagnosed with LBD last year, as well as her 95-year-old mother who lives in her guesthouse and her 45-year-old son who still struggles after a psychotic break at 23. They discuss Karen’s journe…

Jay Swerdlow joins Barbara to talk about caring for his wife, who is in denial about her dementia diagnosis. They discuss different ways to deal with her unrealistic demands and share insights to help caregivers with traveling and getting around airports. Jay expresses the many emotions he has about this difficult journey he’s on with his wife, and…

Amy Bean joins Barbara to tell us about her dad, an accomplished and successful businessman who’d planned for exciting travels during his retirement. Unfortunately those plans changed with his diagnosis of vascular dementia. She reveals the stress and struggles of those early stages, and talks about the fear she often saw and heard in him. Since ca…

It’s been 13 years since Angela Taylor kicked off her journey to understand Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). As a family caregiver for her father when he had a hard time managing medicine and finances, it took her awhile to figure out something was really wrong. Today, she is the Senior Director of Research and Advocacy at the Lewy Body Dementia Associati…

Today Barbara is joined by Karen Patterson, who attended Barbara’s “Memory Club” and other memory-care groups with her husband, Bob. Bob was -- literally -- a rocket scientist, and in his late 50s he was the first to notice that something was wrong. Karen believes it was the pressure of his work on top of his brain changing that was too much, and o…

Today Barbara talks to Beth Harris about caring for her mother, Gail. Gail was first diagnosed two years ago with a Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), then with Alzheimer’s two months ago. Beth says it was hard to accept her mother’s diagnosis at first, because she remained lucid and sharp. They discuss the “common themes” of Alzheimer’s -- getting l…

Today Barbara is joined by Carole Lieber-Wilkins whose mother, Fran, has suffered from dementia for the past 12 years. Carole talks about Fran’s illness, which began when trauma from 9/11 caused a psychotic break. They discuss Fran’s journey since then, from assisted living to moving in with Carole and her husband to finally landing in a full-time …

When Suzy Rosenberg’s husband, Paul, was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia at 86, Suzy didn’t know of anyone else with dementia. She joins Barbara to discuss her caregiving journey; how she felt so alone at first, and how she was able to find resources and support. They talk about Suzy’s life now -- two years later -- and the ups and downs of havin…