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Alzheimer's Caregiver Radio

Alzheimer's Caregiver Radio

By Nancy Landa

We are bold, strong, courageous, and compassionate. We are Warriors; daily sacrificing our own lives to care for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease. How do we as caregivers cope with the constant changes, the financial strain, plan for a life when our care-giving duties are over, all while providing the best care possible for our loved one? Is it even possible to find joy along the family caregiver journey? These are the blaring questions this podcast will explore.
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When You Become The Parent Of Your Parents...

Alzheimer's Caregiver RadioJun 17, 2019

00:00
06:38
The Guardians Gift: A Legacy Experience

The Guardians Gift: A Legacy Experience

My guest on today's show is Dr. Judy Butler.  Dr. Butler is a certified Pastoral Psychotherapist in private practice, who consults with, counsels and coaches Adult Children of Aging Parents, members of the “Sandwich Generation”, Caregivers, and Senior Adults interested in creating a Legacy Experience through 2nd half and end of life planning.

On October 31, 2018 -- Butler Counseling & Consulting, LLC received the 2018 Best of Mebane Award in Religious Counseling.  Judy holds a doctorate in psychotherapy from The Graduate Theological Foundation, a Master of Divinity degree from Campbell University and is a member of both Epsilon Pi Eta and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. Judy is a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, Triad Retirement Living Association, HealthCare Industry Professionals Serving Seniors, a certified Spiritual Director, ordained clergy, a speaker, and a teacher with years of experience and many thousands of hours of practical application.

In this episode, Judy takes us through what is involved in creating a legacy experience.  She shares stories from her own experience and provides examples of why her Guardian's Gift is a legacy experience that families will cherish for generations to come.  "It's all about having conversations" Judy says.  "Even the difficult ones."  Her consulting service helps mediate and navigate those difficult conversations.

Dec 16, 201936:12
5 Tips To Manage Caregiver Guilt So Guilt Serves You, Not Imprisons You

5 Tips To Manage Caregiver Guilt So Guilt Serves You, Not Imprisons You

Guilt is a common feeling in the landscape of care giving.  Guilt can propel you to be the best you can be or it can immobilize you. In this episode I offer 5 tips to help you manage caregiver guilt effectively.

Dec 09, 201909:37
Your Relationship With Money

Your Relationship With Money

On today's episode, I interview guest Taunya Woods Richardson;  a serial entrepreneur, financial strategist and behavioral financial coach.  As creator of the Cashflow Canvas and Money Mastery Matrix, and founder of Epifany Financial Group, Nail the Numbers and Champs of Change, Taunya has shown thousands how to reinvent their financial reality through transforming their relationship with their money.  Today she speaks candidly about her own financial struggles and how she became a much sought after expert speaker on financial transformation that is applicable to anyone desiring a better financial future.


Dec 02, 201923:11
Making A Memory Scrapbook With Your Loved One
Nov 25, 201910:01
Being an Alzheimer's Family Caregiver: The Long Goodbye

Being an Alzheimer's Family Caregiver: The Long Goodbye

In this episode, I’m going to talk about what it means to be an Alzheimer's Family Caregiver: The Long Goodbye AND invite you to a very special event!  Register for the live event here:  https://alzheimerscaregiverradio.com/register.

Nov 18, 201912:51
10 Alzheimer's Caregiver Stress Relief Tips

10 Alzheimer's Caregiver Stress Relief Tips

As a caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia, I don't need to tell you it is stressful.  That's like the understatement of the century, right?  In this episode, I'll give you 10 stress relief tips you can take action on today.

Nov 11, 201914:09
Activities To Do With Loved Ones With Alzheimer's Disease

Activities To Do With Loved Ones With Alzheimer's Disease

Life does not and should not come to a standstill just because a person has Alzheimer’s disease . While they may have memory impairment and a decline in social skills, they’re still people with thoughts and feelings.  In this episode, I discuss activities you can do with your loved one that will bring them joy (and you, too!)

Nov 04, 201909:32
Strategies To Help Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

Strategies To Help Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

As a family caregiver of a loved one with Alzheimer's, the thought keeps looming inside your head...  Am I going to get this disease?  In this episode, I discuss some strategies you can do now to help prevent this terrible disease.

Oct 28, 201909:33
Important Tips For Caregivers

Important Tips For Caregivers

Dr. Elizabeth Clark, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers says “Care giving is a difficult job that can take a toll on relationships, jobs and emotional well-being.  Those who care for others need to be sure to take care of themselves, as well.”  In this episode, I discuss some important tips to help caregivers care for themselves.

Oct 21, 201911:04
7 Responsibilities of Alzheimer's Family Caregivers

7 Responsibilities of Alzheimer's Family Caregivers

These 7 Responsibilities of family caregivers encompasses so much. It's no wonder you feel stressed and overwhelmed!
Oct 14, 201922:28
The Last Thing You Want Friends & Family To Say

The Last Thing You Want Friends & Family To Say

Well-meaning friends and family don't know what to say, but this is something I absolutely hated to hear…
Oct 07, 201904:29
Laughable Moments That Still Make Me Giggle

Laughable Moments That Still Make Me Giggle

Moments that made me giggle, and still do!
Sep 30, 201906:03
Thank You...

Thank You...

If you don't expect anyone to say thank you, you'll really enjoy it when someone does.
Sep 23, 201904:22
Mom's Rules...

Mom's Rules...

When a parent with Alzheimer's disease breaks "the rules" they demanded of you when you were growing up with them, how do you handle it?
Sep 16, 201904:52
The Voice of Reason

The Voice of Reason

Nothing has to be logical to a person with Alzheimer's disease.
Sep 09, 201904:26
"My Other Daughter Nancy"

"My Other Daughter Nancy"

Recognition of family & friends is commonly lost in people with Alzheimer's disease
Sep 02, 201905:18
Take Aways

Take Aways

There comes a time when you have to remove certain things from a loved one with Alzheimer's disease
Aug 26, 201904:51
Finding Time For You

Finding Time For You

What a difference just 10 or 15 minutes per day can make…
Aug 19, 201904:38
The Last Thing Mom Gave Me

The Last Thing Mom Gave Me

My mom's greatest gift to me wasn't the last one she gave me…
Aug 12, 201906:29
The End of a Season

The End of a Season

Mom had urinary track infections over the years; quite common for women with Alzheimer's disease - and I learned the signs - agitation, mood changes, combative.  But this time, none of those signs were evident…

Aug 05, 201908:02
Scary Shower Day

Scary Shower Day

Those with Alzheimer's disease are often scared of water, I learned.  Mom was usually pretty good at getting in the bathroom and taking her shower on her own until…

Jul 29, 201906:33
The Heart Of The Situation

The Heart Of The Situation

It was a Saturday at noontime and I made Mom her lunch.  What I saw when I returned to the kitchen a few minutes later was the most frightening sight I had ever seen.

Jul 22, 201905:18
Lock the doors!

Lock the doors!

Mom has always loved to take walks. But for someone with Alzheimer's disease, this becomes problematic. Here's how I handled it.
Jul 15, 201906:30
Time to Pack?

Time to Pack?

I came to realize how my Dad was my rock, but for someone with Alzheimer's disease like my mom, he was their anchor.

Jul 08, 201908:01
Life After Daddy

Life After Daddy

Coping with the loss of a parent while taking care of the other parent with Alzheimer's comes with new challenges, and not much opportunity to grieve your own loss.

Jul 01, 201905:33
The Death of My Hero

The Death of My Hero

It's a difficult thing when the spouse of a person with Alzheimer's dies.

Jun 24, 201908:36
When You Become The Parent Of Your Parents...

When You Become The Parent Of Your Parents...

It's an odd thing that happens - there is a role reversal that happens, often subtly at first, then more an more as time goes on - You become the parent of your parents.  When Alzheimer's disease is a part of the mix, that role reversal happens even sooner.

Jun 17, 201906:38
Animal House…

Animal House…

A valuable lesson I learned regarding pets and Alzheimer's disease.

Jun 10, 201906:44
Bad Decision…

Bad Decision…

How one bad decision concerning a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can rear it's ugly head for MANY months.

Jun 03, 201904:51
Finally - Home Sweet Home…

Finally - Home Sweet Home…

Moving my parents into their new home came with some unexpected and unplanned challenges.

May 27, 201906:09
Where's My Contractor…

Where's My Contractor…

Renovating a home is tough enough, but living in a hotel with aging parents; one with Alzheimer's disease during that process can add a new dimension to the word "challenge".

May 20, 201907:46
At Last - Moving Day…

At Last - Moving Day…

Moving parents to a new place has many challenges, especially when one of them has Alzheimer's disease, but the journey can also be fun.

May 13, 201908:38
Waiting and More Waiting…

Waiting and More Waiting…

Waiting for the house to sell is like living in limbo, but I also needed to find the right house to move us to - 1,000 miles away.

May 06, 201905:37
In The Face Of Opposition…

In The Face Of Opposition…

The surprising reaction of family members to my new plan to take over the care of my parents.

Apr 29, 201905:37
Things seemed to be going along smoothly until…

Things seemed to be going along smoothly until…

 The long term care plan for Mom and Daddy seemed to be in place, until it wasn't...    

Apr 22, 201906:23
Overwhelm Is An Understatement…

Overwhelm Is An Understatement…

So much work involved in getting my parent's home cleaned out and ready to go on the market while taking care of their needs, wants, and desires with no end in sight for the foreseeable future.

Apr 15, 201905:37
Plans, Plans, and more Plans…

Plans, Plans, and more Plans…

There is so much to think about when a parent is suspected to have Alzheimer's disease.  This episode reveals one of the best things we did to help us with the planning process.

Apr 08, 201908:12
The Big Discovery

The Big Discovery

After observing my parents for a couple days, one thing became abundantly clear...
Apr 01, 201905:58
Houston, We Have A Problem…

Houston, We Have A Problem…

     Living   in Charlotte in August 2005, building a business that my Dad and I talked about over the phone daily.  He was very interested in the products and how I was building a business with it.   Then he was  falling asleep on the phone at 10am!   Something was wrong...   

Mar 25, 201905:43
My 12 1/2 Year Journey As A Family Alzheimer's Caregiver

My 12 1/2 Year Journey As A Family Alzheimer's Caregiver

Brief overview of the 12 1/2 years I was a caregiver for my Mom; diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  It was a time filled with challenges, opposition, and triumphs - something I will always treasure as my greatest experience, though the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.

Mar 18, 201907:54