Alzheimer's and Dementia

If you know of someone who is dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia, or caregiving for them, direct them to Lori La Bey's resources at...

In this emotional episode of Answers for Elders Radio, host Suzanne Newman speaks with author Erica Baccus about decisions that had to be made on the heartbreaking yet courageous journey of her husband’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, his decision not to die in a vegetative state, and the steps they took together to ensure his wishes were respected. With honesty, compassion, and courage, this conversation is for married couples, caregivers, and anyone who may someday face the realities of dementia and end-of-life decisions.

Shawn D'Amelio talks about CarePartners Living partnerships such as With A Little Help. She is the VP of Washington State Homecare Association, which is...

This segment focuses on employers beginning to adapt to the needs of family members caregiving for a senior loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia. Cory Townsend, Director of Development for the Alzheimers Association, Washington branch, joins Suzanne to talk about the Walk to End Alzheimer's.

What are pet therapies, and why are they important in the world of Alzheimer's? Washington Therapy Dogs' manager Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne for September's conversations about the Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Allyson Schrier talks about how to download the Zinnia TV app to a phone, tablet, or smart TV. It opens to reveal a library of channels, each with a menu of videos.

Dr. Michael Mega, director of the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland, OR, talks about being able to detect biomarkers for the tau and amyloid plaques that are believed to cause Alzheimer's.

Dr. Shawn Weiss joins Suzanne this hour to talk about the listening and non-verbal side of communicating better. Her advice: actually listen, don't pretend to listen. Get over repetition. Don't interrupt. Ask the right questions. Take inventory of your own weaknesses. Practice listening. Resist the impulse to correct errors. And don't let yourself get offended.

Take advantage of the resources of the Alzheimer's Association to help care for families dealing with a senior loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia. Alexis Bonoff, Program Director of the Alzheimer's Association in Washington state, joins Suzanne to talk about the resources and programs.

This segment continues the conversation about how Alzheimer's disease progresses. Suzanne Newman joins Dr. Cherian Verghese to talk about a special program for those who are in the beginning or medium stages of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Verghese is Principal Researcher at Keystone Clinical Studies LLC in the Philadelphia area. In earlier stages, people can be helped at home with assisted living, with family support. Going into moderate or severe dementia, we'd need in-home care and at some stages institutional care. It's physically demanding to help someone with their activities of daily living. Sadly, African Americans are twice as likely, and Latinos about one and a half times as likely, than in Caucasians. They are disproportionately affected, but participation was lower in trials, making it hard to extrapolate drug trial results.