Let's Talk Dementia

Do you constantly surround yourself with the world news?  Newspapers…television…scrolling on your phone… all of these can be detrimental to your cognitive and emotional health. 

Many of us know about the Grimm Fairy Tales, but have ever thought about how scary they are? To think these stories were read to us as children is kind of crazy. The stress brought on by these scary stories is something to be considered. Stress is not our friend!

There are many phobias, and some you may be familiar with. I will share a few with you today that might be unfamiliar. Phobias can lead to stress. Stress leads to dementia.

We all live with stress that is causing dis-ease and disease. Did you know stress can cause dementia? What does that have to do with lions, tigers, bears, ants, and cavemen?

No matter how hard I try or how much I want, I will not push that wall down. Arguing with your folks with dementia is much the same. You will not be successful! (Sounds like most arguments we have with anyone else!)

Have you tried giving your loved one with advanced dementia a baby doll to hold and comfort? It can be very soothing. Listen in to learn more. This is a link for one that looks so real - https://amzn.to/3OUNNfg . Happy caregiving!

If your loved one has a tendency to remove their clothing, it might be time to investigate adaptive clothing.

A recent study suggested picking your nose causes Alzheimer's. Is that true?

Finger foods are great for my one year old granddaughter. They are also a great idea for your loved one with dementia who might be having trouble manipulating a spoon or fork. Tune in for a few great recipe ideas!

There are 10 Rules For Common Consideration (otherwise known as 10 Commandments for Those Who Interact With People). Obeying these ten rules will make us all better communicators. This is true even in the dementia caregiving journey.

Making a small one pound sand bag is easy, and it is a great tool to offer strength training/weight bearing exercises for your loved one (and you).

Looking in the mirror is something we do without giving it much thought. Looking into the mirror when we are living in the late stages of dementia can be VERY confusing.

Did you know the digestive system begins in your mouth? It is the beginning of your gut microbiome. How we take care of our oral microbiome has a direct effect on the gut microbiome which has a direct effect on the brain!

​“The Christmas Story from Luke 2”

Consider sharing this video with all of your family, but if you have a loved one with dementia who grew up hearing the story of Christ’s birth, they might enjoy this, also.

A smile can change YOUR day and the day of the person you are smiling at. Try it!. Please!

We will finish the acronym MEDS-RX with Xtra. The Xtra things you can do to build cognitive health.

The turkey, mac and cheese and sweet potatoes went missing on Thanksgiving morning!  But I found a way to be thankful.

Family gatherings are wonderful. Family gatherings are loud. Family gatherings can be frustrating and scary and bring about agitation in YOU and your loved one with dementia. In today's episode, we will learn ways to decrease the negative and increase the positive.

Do you like to read? Did you realize it is good for your brain and your cognitive health? That's excellent news!

The six free "prescriptions" to improve your cognitive health. MEDS-RX. Today's episode will cover SLEEP.

We have been discussing the acronym MEDS-RX for a few weeks. M is for Meditation. E is for Exercise. This week we will talk about D is for Diet.

MEDS-RX are the 6 free prescriptions to prevent cognitive decline. 
M is for meditation, and E is for exercise.  

If you can make it through life without stress, then you need to teach the rest of us how you do it. Stressors are everywhere. How we handle them is the key to a healthy life. I'm trying to handle my stressors. Are you?

MEDS RX represent the six free "medications" for a healthy brain. What does the "M" stand for? Listen in to learn.

Sanitary pads for men might seem a hard concept to adjust to. However, most men adjust quite easily! ​ Even more, they adjust to pull-up Depend type products easily, also. 

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be a senior citizen and pregnant? What about 101 and pregnant? That scenario presented in the life of my client this week!

Brushing your teeth, brain yoga, and juggling. Yep, that all have something to do with a healthy brain!

If you haven't taken your loved one out for a walk, give it a try. It is very healing for both of you.

Mr. Anderson Cooper grieved heavily when his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, died. He used that time to process his grief through voice recordings. Using his phone, he recorded his thoughts, pain, emotions, memories, and whatever was on his mind. On today's episode, we will talk about this wonderful idea.

You have many challenges in your caregiving journey, and today's episode is meant to help organize some of those challenges. In the process, I have a tip to make pooh less stinky!

With the stressors of life, we often lose our voice. We think we don't have a right to speak up. I'm asking you to take back that right!

What if it only took a minute several times a day to help you feel less anxious? What if that resulted in a better YOU? That's what is going on in my life, ​and I hope you benefit from what I am learning.

We all experience storms in our world. Some are small rain storms, and some are category five hurricanes. What are you facing? What are you doing to help deal with these storms? Write me - carol@letstalkdementia.org .

Life can be difficult, even on a good day. Throw caregiving in the mix, stir in some anxiety, toss in a negative outlook, and you produce an unhappy experience. Living life with a "YES PERSPECTIVE" helps every hard situation feel less stressful!

"Breaking up is hard to do," according to Neil Sedaka. Breaking up with your sofa or recliner might be a good thing to consider. What about a love affair? Tune in to learn more.

Calories, lettuce, romaine lettuce and mushroom coffee are the topics of today's show. Who wants mushrooms in their coffee? I do, and I hope you will, also.

Did you know olive oil helps reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease, AND (drum roll, please) neurodegenerative disease. Who knew? However, you need to use a good quality oil. Listen in to learn more.

One out of four American families caregive for someone over the age of 50! This caregiving can lead to Caregiver Syndrome. What is it? Do you have it?

Silence can be golden. Every moment of the day does not need to be filled with sound and bright lights. Silence can be healing!

If you are using a "To Do List" with your loved one with dementia, it might not be going so well.  Why is that?

No one enjoys living "in the midst of chaos," yet dementia caregiving, and life in general, can cause this to occur. What is the best approach?

A good assisted living is such a blessing, but things do not always go as we hope.  How do we respond to this?

I am thankful for:  babies, (especially my new granddaughter), peanut butter, and YOU!  What are you thankful for?  Have you announced your thanksgivings?  Why should you?  

If Dad wants to apologize for something that happened many years ago, how do we handle that?

Banana Tea is wonderful to help you go to sleep, as is doTerra Serenity Oil.  Listen to this podcast to learn more. 

In an effort not to waste any part of the fruits and vegetables we eat, I have investigated eating the banana peel. It is good for you and tastes like -- BANANA!

There are two different types of cinnamon. Ceylon Cinnamon is the type that is healthy.  Does it have health benefits?  I have great news to share.