Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, causing 50 to 70% of all cases. The disease results in problems with:
- memory, thinking
- language
- disorientation of time and place
- poor or decreased judgment
- changes in mood or behavior
- misplacing things
- changes in personality
- loss of initiative
Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Alzheimer’s is not a reversible disease. It is degenerative and incurable at this time. Some forms of dementia, such as a drug interaction or a vitamin deficiency, are actually reversible or temporary.
- There is no one specific kind of specialist best qualified to assess plan treatment
- Neurologists, geriatric psychiatrists and geriatricians all receive training in the evaluation and treatment of memory disorders.
- Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging.
- Alzheimer’s has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues.
- Alzheimer’s worsens over time.
Services
Although no cure for Alzheimer’s disease is presently available, proper education, good planning, and support can ease the burdens on the patient and family. Find help in your local community from experienced, educated people that provide the following services:
- Sitting with your loved one to give you a break.
- Transportation for medical appointments and/or a supervised outing.
- Licensed facilities that will take your loved one on a temporary/permanent basis set up with activities and safety measures.
Specialization
Professionals who specialize in Dementia or Alzheimer’s specialize in the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging.
- Gerontologists have a masters or doctoral degree in gerontology and can provide non-medical services to older adults, such as caregiver classes and support for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Neurologist A physician specializing in diseases of the nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and stroke. A neurologist has a doctorate in medicine and has completed a residency in neurology. Neurologists may or may not have specific experience and training in diseases of the older population.
- Memory care facilities are specifically created to care for the progression of the disease. If you are seeing signs of memory loss.
Preparation
Is your parent showing signs of:
- memory loss that disrupts daily life?
- increased challenges in planning or solving problems?
- having difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure?
Evaluation
When visiting a Memory Care Gerontologist or Physician here are some questions you should ask and things you should evaluate:
- Are you Medicaid/Medicare certified?
- Is the physician within your parents’ insurance company’s list of preferred providers?
- Is the physician within the American Medical Associations website?
- Does the physician have superior credentials?
- What is the level of the disease that my loved one is in currently?
- Based on that level, is my loved one needing a memory care facility?
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Articles
- A Wife’s Journey Through Alzheimer’s and End-of-Life Choices - Answers for Elders Radio host Suzanne Newman welcomes Erica Baccus, author of ''A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love.'' In this segment, Suzanne reads a few passages from the book to hear more about them from Erica. Married couples facing the realities of dementia and end-of-life choices will find this conversation both raw and profoundly important. Erica says, "It's important for you to know that I am not advocating for anyone to do what John decided to do. My goal is simply to build awareness about this issue and celebrate our life together." With honesty, compassion, and courage,… …Read More
- Alzheimer’s & Marriage: Facing End-of-Life Decisions Together - 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. …Read More
- Marriage, Alzheimer’s & The Hardest Promise: Erica Baccus Shares Her Story - When Alzheimer’s strikes a marriage, how do you honor your spouse’s wishes while facing the hardest decisions of your life? In this emotional episode of Answers for Elders Radio, host Suzanne Newman sits down with author Erica Baccus to discuss writing her new book, A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love. …Read More
- A Spouse’s Heartbreaking Journey: Honoring His Wishes with Alzheimer’s - As autumn brings reflection on life and legacy, Answers for Elders Radio host Suzanne Newman welcomes Erica Baccus, author of ''A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love.'' This deeply moving memoir shares the story of Erica’s journey with her husband’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and his request to avoid dying in a vegetative state. Married couples facing the realities of dementia and end-of-life choices will find this conversation both raw and profoundly important. …Read More
- Alzheimer’s: Many Ways to Volunteer and Help - Volunteer groups advocate to make a difference in the lives of people facing Alzheimer's and dementia. Jim Wilgus, Executive Director for the Washington State Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to talk about various ways you can help the search for a cure. …Read More
- Alzheimer’s: Clinical Trial Participants Urgently Needed - Jim Wilgus, Executive Director for the Washington State Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to talk about the need for participants in Alzheimer's clinical trials. …Read More
- Alzheimer’s: Participate in Clinical Trials - If you have a loved one who was just diagnosed — or if you've been diagnosed yourself, maybe you are taking care of someone — with Alzheimer's and dementia, the Alzheimer's Association is an amazing resource. Jim Wilgus, Executive Director for the Washington State Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to talk about clinical research, and opportunities to participate in clinical trials to cure Alzheimer's. …Read More
- Alzheimer’s: Urgency to Find a Cure - Jim Wilgus, Executive Director for the Washington State Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show. Suzanne and Jim talk about the Alzheimer's Association accelerating clinical research into cures for Alzheimer's and Dementia, funding about $430 million for 1,100 projects in 56 countries. The Alzheimer's Association has a division of medical science leadership and officers, plus hundreds of volunteers and researchers. …Read More
- Unlocking Hope: Guide to Alzheimer’s Volunteering - Learn about various ways people can volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association. Alexis Bonoff, Program Director of the Alzheimer's Association in Washington state, joins Suzanne to talk about volunteering and also the organization's clinical trial match tool. …Read More
- Support for Families With Alzheimer’s - How do you find resources and information 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 how to find information, their 24/7 hotline, and more. …Read More
- Decoding Alzheimer’s: How to Get Answers - 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. …Read More
- Embracing Change: Help to Adapt Family Life to Alzheimer’s - Alexis Bonoff, Program Director of the Alzheimer's Association in Washington state, joins Suzanne to talk about the Walk to End Alzheimer's and various programs and resources of the Alzheimer's Association. …Read More
- Alzheimer’s Fundraising: How to Ask for Money - The Alzheimers Association's Cory Townsend provides advice for people who feel uncomfortable asking people to donate. …Read More
- Alzheimer’s: Importance of Fundraising - The Alzheimers Association's Cory Townsend joins Suzanne to talk about fundraising for the Walk to End Alzheimer's: "There are all sorts of templates for emails and social media that you can send out to folks, so invite your friends, family, loved ones, and coworkers to join your team, and to come walk with you, and then post on social media. Send emails to those that you spend time with, and ask them to support your efforts in this Walk. Fundraising is easy. It doesn't have to be hard or scary." …Read More
- Alzheimer’s: Employers and Caregivers - 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. …Read More
- Grandpa Forgot My Name - Cory Townsend, Director of Development for the Alzheimers Association, Washington branch, joins Suzanne to talk about the Walk to End Alzheimer's. Cory says, "This cause is a lot more than professional for me. My grandfather was a great guy who taught me a lot about life, but also how to fly fish, which is one of my passions. And when he forgot my name, I was heartbroken. We lost my grandpa when he was 99, back in about 2012." …Read More
- Alzheimer’s Pet Stories to Cry For - Therapy animals make a difference in the lives of people with Alzheimer's and dementia. Washington Therapy Dogs' manager Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne to talk about the science and successes of therapy dogs. Episodes this month support the Walk to End Alzheimer's. …Read More
- Alzheimer’s and Pet Owners - Supporting the Walk to End Alzheimer's, this episode is about animal-assisted intervention for those with Alzheimer's and dementia, specifically therapy animals. Washington Therapy Dogs' manager Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne to talk about a therapy dog team formed as an extension of Answers for Elders. In this segment, Marlina talks about seniors with Alzheimer's who have their own pets. …Read More
- Therapy Dogs and 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. …Read More
- Training Pets for Alzheimer’s Dog Therapy - More than 100 therapy dogs and their handlers have joined Answers for Elder's Washington Therapy Dogs group to visit senior living communities and bring joy to those with Alzheimer's and dementia. Manager Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne to talk about the process of going about training your pet to become a therapy dog. Episodes this month support the Walk to End Alzheimer's. …Read More
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Radio Show Segments
- A Wife’s Journey Through Alzheimer’s and End-of-Life Choices
A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love by Erica Baccus will be available on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 at Amazon, Barns & Noble, and other booksellers.
Answers for Elders Radio host Suzanne Newman welcomes Erica Baccus, author of ”A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love.” In this segment, Suzanne reads a few passages from the book to hear more about them from Erica. Married couples facing the realities of dementia and end-of-life choices will find this conversation both raw and profoundly important. Erica says, “It’s important for you to know that I am not advocating for anyone to do what John decided to do. My goal is simply to build awareness about this issue and celebrate our life together.” 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.
- Alzheimer’s & Marriage: Facing End-of-Life Decisions Together
A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love by Erica Baccus will be available on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 at Amazon, Barns & Noble, and other booksellers.
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.
- Marriage, Alzheimer’s & The Hardest Promise: Erica Baccus Shares Her Story
A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love by Erica Baccus will be available on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 at Amazon, Barns & Noble, and other booksellers.
When Alzheimer’s strikes a marriage, how do you honor your spouse’s wishes while facing the hardest decisions of your life? In this emotional episode of Answers for Elders Radio, host Suzanne Newman sits down with author Erica Baccus to discuss writing her new book, A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love.
Erica talks about how she approached sharing 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.
- A Spouse’s Heartbreaking Journey: Honoring His Wishes with Alzheimer’s
A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love by Erica Baccus will be available on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 at Amazon, Barns & Noble, and other booksellers.
As autumn brings reflection on life and legacy, Answers for Elders Radio host Suzanne Newman welcomes Erica Baccus, author of ”A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love.” This deeply moving memoir shares the story of Erica’s journey with her husband’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and his request to avoid dying in a vegetative state. Married couples facing the realities of dementia and end-of-life choices will find this conversation both raw and profoundly important.
In this powerful interview, Erica reveals how she honored her husband’s wish to end his life with dignity through assisted suicide in Switzerland, a decision that U.S. laws made impossible at home. Together, she and Suzanne explore the emotional toll of Alzheimer’s, the complexity of right-to-die legislation, and the courage it takes to make end-of-life decisions as a couple. The Los Angeles Tribune called the book “a cultural act of courage and moral clarity,” and this discussion echoes that sentiment with honesty and compassion.
If you or your spouse have ever wondered how to prepare for the possibility of Alzheimer’s, dementia, or difficult end-of-life care decisions, this episode is a must-watch. It encourages couples to have conversations early, before a crisis forces decisions under pressure. With themes of love, courage, and legacy, Erica’s story is not just about death—it’s about how to live fully, honor promises, and face the hardest moments in marriage together.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why early conversations about end-of-life wishes are essential for couples
- The legal challenges of right-to-die laws in the U.S. for Alzheimer’s patients
- How love, legacy, and courage guided Erica’s decisions
- A firsthand account of assisted dying in Switzerland
- Revamping Memory Care Part 3: Sensory Walls, Aromas
Derek Larson and Lacy Steed join Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to talk about a new program for senior living residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Lacy talks about the additions of sensory walls, aromas, and the addition of life-skills stations that bring back memories. The program is at Chateau Gardens, part of Chateau at Bothell Landing in Bothell, Washington. Derek Larson is Executive Director, and Lacy Steed is Vice President of Life Enrichment, at Chateau Retirement Communities. This week’s show was recorded at Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Washington.
Lacy explains, “We did a lot of research on this. I would say right now, probably about two years that we’ve been doing this. We went and visited other communities. We spoke to a lot of staff, residents, family members, and higher-up leadership. We went to over 15 communities throughout the state, because we wanted to try to get a vibe of what people are doing, what works and what doesn’t. And it was really eye opening. Chateau Gardens, I hope it becomes just something that is the norm, not the exception.
“People think that when you have dementia or Alzheimer’s, that you’re just in a nursing home. That’s it. And you’re just watching TV and you’re unable to do anything. And that is far from the truth. There is still so much that residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s can give and talk about and do. They can still share stories and participate in activities. And they’re so they’re one of my favorite populations because you just never know what they’re going to say, what they’re going to do, what they you can do. And it’s amazing.”
Derek adds, “Some of the activities can create some of that light-bulb moment for residents, like that music bringing that light back in people’s eyes. For me, I was talking in the first segment about my mom having been diagnosed with dementia early. Up until the very end, she was able to play piano. You put sheet music in front of her and she could just play. She couldn’t even hardly talk, but she could play. And you can see in her eyes, it created this something in her brain that just put her on fire. So the idea is, we want to create that light and that spark through the activities and everything else we do. So much of what Lacy’s department does, and the activities, will play a huge role in that.”
Lacy says, “We are trying to incorporate ways for them to be active. Now, it’s a locked unit, and it’s a safe unit. We want them to walk around, be engaged. I did a lot of research and I found this company called Arch Design, and they’re located in Florida, and they do amazing senior living, tactile wall art. And what that is, is it’s any piece of art that you can think of that you would want to be on your wall that the residents can touch, so that they can get just a sense of appreciation, sensory, tactile, everything. Get those neurons, synapses, inspiring everything… It’s Pacific Northwest, what would we like to have in our Bothell unit, specifically? Pacific Northwest is very hiking, family, mountain climbing, water … So everything that you see in our Bothell memory care unit you can touch to elicit memories, and that’s what it’s there for. And eventually we’re working on getting that [at] our Lynnwood community and our Renton community.
“We do doll therapy. We’ve actually purchased really nice new babies that will breathe and feel like actual dolls the residents just love to hold and touch and care for. We are working on creating life-skill stations. Those are little places, for instance like a laundry area, or a makeup area, where the residents can just go and sit and tinker and play, and hopefully just go back to their days of working or getting ready for work, anything. And they are very effective… We even have an office space where we bought an old-school typewriter and a Rolodex and anything that you can think of from their era.
“There is a company called Aroma Impressions, and [their products are] not like your typical oil diffusers that you have in your house. It is a scientifically-based product that works to elicit memories for older adults. It is a very fine mist that you can’t even see. And it’s just slight enough that you can walk into memory care, and it’s just a very lovely smell. It could smell any season you want. Summer, lavender, for sundowning it’s like mahogany, anything to elicit responses. You would never know that it’s there, but it just makes it smell homey.”
Chateau at Bothell Landing is located at 17543 102nd Ave NE in Bothell, Washington 98011-3787.
Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years. Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington’s Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton.
Visit them online or call 800.960.1944. Also visit Chateau’s specialist page on Answers for Elders to hear more of their shows.
Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks.
- Revamping Memory Care Part 2: More Caregivers
Derek Larson and Amanda Krueger join Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to talk about a new program for senior living residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The program is at Chateau Gardens, part of Chateau at Bothell Landing in Bothell, Washington. Derek Larson is Executive Director, and Amanda is Vice President of Health Services, at Chateau Retirement Communities. This week’s show was recorded at Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Washington.
Amanda explains, “We really wanted to bring a program together that looked at the resident and not the disease. And so what did that, as far as the care part of it, was the individualized care plans, the staff training, and then also making sure the staff is really taking the time with the residents. And so it took a lot of work.
“One thing that we implemented was a lower staffing ratio with our expansion at Bothell. We expanded up to 45 beds at Bothell, and we have that down to a 1 to 7 for just our caregivers, and that just allows for that resident and and staff person to really develop a bond, so that way they can still get their input as best they can. Maybe it’s not verbally, but maybe it’s through action, and then seeing their eyes light up when music plays, you know, music is a huge part, a huge part of a lot of therapy.”
Suzanne points out to listeners, “If you’re looking at memory care, that’s a question that families need to ask when you’re interviewing a potential place. Just to compare, because 1 in 7 is phenomenal. What is usually the staff ratio?”
Amanda replies, “I’ve seen dangerous numbers of 1 to 15 in memory care. 1 to 10 is pretty general. 1 to 8, 1 to 10. And this is just caregivers. That’s not including a med tech, or a nurse, and residential coordinators, and activities.”
Suzanne asks, “You and Derek have both talked about treating the patient rather than the disease. How does that differentiate when it comes to care?”
Amanda answers, “I think it just allows the resident to be who they are, and to still allow them to be as independent as they go around. And having the staff trained well enough to understand that just because they have dementia, that doesn’t mean they can’t still wash their face, something simple where, let’s have that staff give them a washcloth, and then kind of mirror the action of washing a face, and still allow that resident to be as individual and independent as they can and promote that.”
Suzanne says, “Derek mentioned a little bit about how the family is more engaged. How does that happen in the care plans?
Amanda replies, “Letting them give us information. You know, maybe Sally has a hard time bathing, but that the family members let us know that she likes bananas. So let’s [have] a banana before we take a bath, and then that helps make it more individualized. So, taking as much data that we can from our family members, or our staff too, because our staff spends a lot of time with our residents. All the little tips and tricks, and making sure then that everybody knows what it takes, to make sure that residents care for them.”
Derek adds, “We had something really cool happen at Bothell kind of organically, I think as we got more relationships built with our residents and their families. A lot of the spouses actually created their own groups within our space at Chateau Gardens. So every week they would sit down in our outdoor courtyard, and they would just hang out. Talk, as if things were just as they are, meeting each other in the journey. And the spouses could also kind of relate to one another at the same time. And it just it was really cool to see that organically just grow from having that space, just be welcoming in that way.”
Chateau at Bothell Landing is located at 17543 102nd Ave NE in Bothell, Washington 98011-3787.
Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years. Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington’s Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton.
Visit them online or call 800.960.1944. Also visit Chateau’s specialist page on Answers for Elders to hear more of their shows.
Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks.
- Revamping Memory Care Part 1: Treat the Person
Chateau Retirement Communities Executive Director Derek Larson joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to give an overview of the Alzheimer’s epidemic and how it’s affecting caregivers. Chateau Retirement is launching a new program primarily for senior living residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia at Chateau Gardens at Chateau at Bothell Landing in Bothell, Washington. Derek talks about the program came about and how it’s going. This week’s show was recorded at Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Washington.
Derek shares his family experience. “My mom was diagnosed with dementia really, really young. She was only 51 when she passed. And as a 16-year-old kid, I didn’t really know how to process that very well. And it was really challenging. Taking care of her was one of the hardest things ever did in my entire life. And was one of the most isolating times in my life. And so, going full 360 to being here today and having this opportunity, it means the world to be able to give back to the people that really need that love, and care, and that don’t need to have less than a life just because they have this disease.”
He adds, “It’s a blessing to be a part of the seniors that we get to serve. Meeting them in their journey, where they’re at, especially the most vulnerable, vulnerable population. Those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, they don’t often have a voice for themself. As of 2020, over 7 million people have been diagnosed with dementia. We know that by 2030 through 2050, it’s only going to grow exponentially. We knew there was a growing demand, we knew there was a need, and too often we were seeing that those needs weren’t getting met to the best [that] I think that they could. It’s just such a under-served population that we really, really felt the need to meet those people’s needs as best we could. And so we decided to fully revamp the programs we were offering. And we created a task force to work on revamping that as well.
“As a team, we interviewed tons of our own staff. We interviewed some of our senior leadership. We toured many communities around the area to see where memory care units and communities were really knocking it out of the park in certain areas, or just in general. We did tons of research. We worked in the space as much as we could. I spent months just kind of observing the interaction between resident and staff along with some of the rest of our team.
“Through all of that, we came to the realization that at the core of the heart of what we needed to accomplish was create a place of belonging where we’re treating the resident, not the disease. We wanted to create a space where people feel like it’s home. They belong. Our our mission and vision across the whole community is that people feel like they’re at a place where they can be happy, healthy, live long lives. They can be engaged in whatever ways they want. It’s just harder to do in that space, because people are not as able to vocalize their wants and needs. The whole process that we came up with was trying to get to the core of what those desires are for the for those residents, and meet them where they are on their journey.
“The biggest surprise is that it was really simple. It’s not easy, but it’s really simple. What people need is understanding who we are serving. It’s just such a simple thing that just gets missed because people are so stuck on treating dementia and Alzheimer’s instead of treating the person in front of them.
“We can see it quickly, even though we’re still in the process of implementing everything we would like to. It didn’t take long to just get a sense when you walk into a place of the way it feels. There’s an energy, and you get an energy from the residents where you see them engaged, you see the staff engaged, you see smiles, you see family getting more involved. You see the rest of the community who have friends in memory care that had the stigma against it, and now feel like they feel empowered to be there and they want to be there. What we strive for is to be a community.
The spousal impact … was another light bulb moment for us. I mean, we’ve seen it over and over, caregiver burnout or a spouse becomes that. Another thing we continue to see is, as the spouses are able to relinquish that challenge of caring for their spouse, how much they can just come back into their full selves being just a spouse, and not a caregiver, and how great it is for them and for for their loved one, and the knowledge that if your spouse, if they’re going to become a resident with Chateau at Chateau Gardens, there’s this element of knowing that they’ll be loved. You’re not moving them into like this clinical environment where they feel isolated.”
Derek says, “So we had to have individualized care plans. That meant more than just the physical needs, but also their preferences and their histories that we wanted to get. We needed to get the feedback from families to get them involved, where they can say, ‘Mom always likes a glass of milk with her meal.’ Mom may not be able to speak for that. Getting to know their biographies on who you know, who they are, the things that they enjoyed, the things that they still enjoy, and maybe can’t verbalize.
“We wanted to target holistic well-being as we implemented all these changes. So not just the physical, like I said, but things that would stimulate memory, creativity, cognitive function, activities that would involve Alzheimer’s and dementia as a scale. So you have some that are, you know, very high functioning and some have progressed further, meeting the unique individual where they’re at… It has to be so fluid, and every day is different for the individual. Everything we do is very nimble and able to be adapted. And, you know, just hiring the type of people that envision that space. Being somewhere where they’d want their own mom to live here. Because then they can really bring that mission vision to life.”
Chateau at Bothell Landing is located at 17543 102nd Ave NE in Bothell, Washington 98011-3787.
Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years. Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington’s Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton.
Visit them online or call 800.960.1944. Also visit Chateau’s specialist page on Answers for Elders to hear more of their shows.
Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks.
- Senior Living Residents: A Day in the Life
This segment delves into the day in the life of a senior living resident, having a sense of purpose every day so they can feel like they’re a vibrant member of a community that is supporting them. It looks at how Chateau Retirement Communities integrates and sustains care to make sure that residents’ quality of life is as great as possible. Nicole Bosancu and Amanda Krueger join Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast, recorded onsite at Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Washington. Nicole is Heath Services Director at the Chateau at Valley Center community in Renton, Washington. Amanda is Vice President of Health Services.
Nicole explains, “We really rely on our housekeeping and culinary staff, because it really takes a team. We might have a resident who’s a little more independent, so housekeeping will come and say, ‘Hey, Nicole, this person didn’t come down, we haven’t seen them in a couple of days either in the dining room, or I went in their apartment and it seems like they need a little bit more help.’ So that we can go in and then either have a care conference or talk with them and [ask] what do you need from us to make sure you’re taking care of.”
Nicole says, “If they fall, they can push their call button and the staff can come. But we also have a new AUGi system that is like a motion detector. So somebody falls, it sends us an alert that we can go in and right away.
Amanda adds, “One of our mottos is happier, healthier, longer. And so with this new AUGi technology, it’s very proactive and that it can hopefully give motion alerts to the team before that resident even has a fall. So that way we’re hoping to prevent a fall that could potentially be detrimental if it turns into an injury fall. So it’s an amazing technology and we’re excited to have it in our communities.”
Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years. Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington’s Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton. Visit them online at https://www.chateauretirement.com or call 800.960.1944.
Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks.
- Culture and Care Model for Senior Living
This segment discussed senior care options, and the different ways that loved ones join a senior living community like Chateau Retirement Communities. Laura Smith and Amanda Krueger join Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast talk about the Chateau Retirement care model. Laura is Health Services Director at Chateau Pacific. Amanda is Vice President of Health Services. This show was recorded onsite at Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Washington.
Laura says, “We are very fortunate to have the number of nurses that we have in our buildings… The benefit that I see from having so many nurses is that we get to know our residents on a more individualized basis, and then we get to know little details about their lives that guide the way we care for them.
Amanda adds, “Really getting to know our residents is very important. In fact, one of the stories that we have recently is that we learned from a family member, or [possibly] a staff member, that a resident was having a hard time showering, getting into the shower and agreeing to that. And they found that offering her a banana before the shower allowed her to forget about the process. And [then] she was able to take the shower without any any behaviors, and never refused to shower after that point. And, making sure that gets to the service plan, so all the staff then learn of that.”
Laura says, “We have families that don’t see necessarily what we see, because their loved one may act differently when they’re around, or they’ve maybe had some walls up that they let down and they have a little bit of dementia or whatnot. So we do see things that the families don’t see, so we do have to sit down and and have those conversations, this is what Mom’s doing lately. Her mom’s not wanting to necessarily go out to activities. Let’s figure this out. So we do like to have families come in and talk about these things. We want people to be able to live their best lives that they possibly can here, and have that quality.”
Suzanne noticed a vibrancy about the culture at Chateau Pacific that has a lot to do with the overall view of how they treat people. Laura says, “Our philosophy here is that we are privileged to work in their home. This is their home, and we get the privilege to work here. So we’re serving them. They’re not here for us, we’re here for them.”
Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years. Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington’s Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton. Visit them online at https://www.chateauretirement.com or call 800.960.1944.
Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks.
- Criteria for Excellent Senior Living
Amanda Krueger joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to talk about senior living, recorded on site at Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Washington. Amanda is Vice President of Health Services, and oversees the health and care provided at Chateau Retirement Communities.
Amanda says, “We are a family owned small business. And it’s very much our philosophy that’s carried on then within our our communities. We believe in letting residents live life on their terms. We treat them with dignity, respect, compassion – when we do need to come into their home and assist them in their daily living. And then we also believe in treating the staff the best we can because it’s going to trickle down that if we take care of our staff, they’ll take care of our residents. And so those two platforms are something we really strongly believe in, and it’s just carried forward for over 25 years now.”
“Maybe dad has Alzheimer’s and mom doesn’t. Well, they can both live here. We have that quite often, where one spouse is living independently or even with assisted living, and then their spouse is safely in memory care. And [there’s] peace of mind knowing they’re okay and they’re not going to wander off, or anything like that, and being with them during the day to connect with them in that way.”
“Our assessment is based on an individual service plan. So we meet the needs, we assess the resident, each individually at various times in the year, if there’s a change of condition or annually at minimum, and then whatever that resident needs, we are able to provide. And so from there we have levels, but each person’s level and what they do could be different because of what that need is for the resident. It makes the care plan sometimes different for the staff to learn. But we’re making sure that that is exactly what the resident needs, and that’s what’s really important.”
Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years. Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington’s Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton. Visit them online at https://www.chateauretirement.com or call 800.960.1944.
Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks.
- Unlocking Hope: Guide to Alzheimer’s Volunteering
This segment focuses on Alzheimer’s volunteering. Alexis Bonoff, Program Director of the Alzheimer’s Association in Washington state, joins Suzanne to talk about various ways people can volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association. She also talks about the organization’s clinical trial match tool.
Alexis says, “There’s a lot of different ways you can volunteer. We have volunteers that show up just for Walk day, a one-day-off. Volunteers work with the Walk committee all year long. Others do our education programs. Alzheimer’s volunteering also includes our early-stage memory-loss programs. We have volunteers who are advocates: they go to state capitals, they go to Washington DC, and advocate for the federal government and the local government to keep supporting our research and to keep supporting our programs. And that’s just a couple of ways you can volunteer.”
How to start Alzheimer’s volunteering? Alexis says, “Head to our website, alz.org/volunteer. Put in your zip code and see what they might need in your area, and either talk to somebody like me, or talk to a colleague who might be doing something different. You don’t have to just pick one lane. You can volunteer in a lot of different places.”
Check out the Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch, which connects individuals living with Alzheimer’s, caregivers, and healthy volunteers to clinical trials that may advance Alzheimer’s research. It’s free and allows you to see which studies are a good fit for you or your loved ones. Visit https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research progress/clinical-trials/trialmatch to find clinical trials.
Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900.
Hear more podcasts about the Walks.
* Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com
- Support for Families With Alzheimer’s
How do you find resources and information 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 how to find information, their 24/7 hotline, and more.
Alexis says, “The Walk is a great joy. It’s a celebration. It’s something that you can do to think about somebody who’s going through it right now. You can do it to celebrate somebody who’s passed on. But it’s also about hope, because we’re looking at the future, we’re looking at research, we’re also there to survey the people who won’t have to go through it at all, because the cure is just around the corner and we’re working on it. We’re so close.
“You have people participating from all walks of life. And the thing that I love about it is the camaraderie, the connection to people that are kind of in the same boat, they all have their own personal stories. That’s the the powerful part of the walk, of being involved. But there’s also opportunities elsewhere, like virtual support groups, the hotline 800 number. Also we have a community resource finder on our website at alz.org/CRF, community resource finder. It’ll tell you about any new programs coming up, the Walks, basically anything in your area that’s happening. And it also can give you links to other resources, like a care facility, or maybe a neurologist in your area.”
“I know a lot of people can be scared to go to a support group. But really, we’re there to listen, and we’re there to help. If you’re nervous about it, just show up. We hear you, we want to listen to you.”
Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900.
Hear more podcasts about the Walks.
* Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com
- Decoding Alzheimer’s: How to Get Answers
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.
Alexis says, “We do presentations, and that can be as short as 15 minutes and as long as an hour, or an hour and a half if you got lots of questions. We do these in private groups, like the rotary club. But it also could be like a lunch-and-learn at your business. They could be as broad as something like the 10 warning signs, and learning the difference between what is normal aging and what is something we should go to the doctor about. And then get as specific as ways to deal with somebody who’s already [facing Alzheimer’s]. So we have a huge range of programs.”
She adds, “Those tricks and tools are so essential to the everyday life of a caregiver. It’s also something I’d say our support groups are really great at. A professional can tell you one thing, but somebody who is also in your position, who’s going through the same thing you, ‘[maybe] that didn’t work for me, but I’ve got another idea for you.’ We can do them any style you like. We do virtual ones that are available around the world. We’ve got one that’s monthly where I live, and we get people from Greece, so it’s very cool to see the range [of people]. But the in-person ones are great too. Some people feel a little shyer about asking questions virtually, whereas in person they’re more comfortable.
“A lot of people say things like, ‘I lost my keys three times last week. Do I have Alzheimer’s?’ And I can say, ‘I don’t know, but let’s talk more into that.’ What’s normal forgetfulness, what’s normal aging, and what might be a sign you might need to talk to your doctor. A lot of people say I just got diagnosed, or my friend just got diagnosed; ‘what do I do now?’ And then I send them to our hotline for sure… I think a big one for us Americans is, when do you take the keys away, or when do you decide to stop driving? We are very attached to our cars, but that can be a very dangerous thing with somebody with Alzheimer’s.
“One thing about the hotline: they can help give you a plan if you are [asking] how do I talk to my person about this? They can help you.”
Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900.
Hear more podcasts about the Walks.
* Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com
- Embracing Change: Help to Adapt Family Life to Alzheimer’s
Alexis Bonoff, Program Director of the Alzheimer’s Association in Washington state, joins Suzanne to talk about the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and various programs and resources of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Alzheimer’s has a tremendous effect across the United States. Alexis says, “There’s about 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, and it’s expected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050. The lifetime for risk for Alzheimer’s at age 45 is 1 in 5 for women, and 1 in 10 for men. And of course, the thing about Alzheimer’s is, it’s not just the person with the Alzheimer’s that’s been affected, it is the family, it is the friends, it’s the community. And we’re looking at over 11 million people who are providing unpaid care to those people with Alzheimer’s.
“The stress that’s being put on you as a caregiver is a huge thing. One of the biggest reasons why we’re here, and why we exist, is to support the caregiver…
“We do things that are pretty broad, and then things that are really specific. So the broader things we do are education programs, and we do these all over the place. We’ll come to your Elks Club, we’ll go to your business, and do a lunch-and-learn. That kind of overall 10 warning signs you should be looking for. But also more detailed things, like different ways we can communicate with the person with Alzheimer’s.
“Another thing that we do that really focuses on the caregiver is our support groups, and these come in many different varieties. We have them online, we have them in person. We have some that are just for men, we have some that are just for adult children, taking care of their parents. We also do a lot of early-stage memory loss programs. ‘Oh my gosh, we’re in it now. How do we do this? How do we go from here?’ to give you tricks and tools to be able to manage the next phase of the illness.”
Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900.
Hear more podcasts about the Walks
* Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com
- Alzheimer’s Fundraising: How to Ask for Money
Cory Townsend, Director of Development for the Alzheimers Association, Washington branch, joins Suzanne to talk about fundraising for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. In this segment, Cory provides advice for people feel uncomfortable asking people to donate.
Cory says, “It doesn’t come naturally to us to ask for money, I think, in our culture. But what I would say is that people are very generous, and they want to support causes that they care about. And by asking them to support you in your Walk efforts, you’re inviting them to be part of it, a bigger movement. And folks want to be part of that. And so by asking them, you’re just giving them the opportunity. If you don’t ask, you’re saying no for them. So give them the chance to decide for themselves.”
Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900.
Hear more podcasts about the Walks
- Alzheimer’s: Importance of Fundraising
Cory Townsend, Director of Development for the Alzheimers Association, Washington branch, joins Suzanne to talk about fundraising for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Cory says, “We ask that everybody register before the Walk, and you can certainly register at the Walk. But please take a few minutes and register at alz.org/walk in advance.
“This event is a community event, and we want everybody to come and show their support. But fundraising is really important for this event. That’s how we drive research, and care, and support services. And so if you raise $100, you’ll be able to earn your Walk to End Alzheimer’s T-shirt that will be mailed to you.
“Fundraising is really easy as well. When you register, there will be all sorts of templates for emails and social media that you can send out to folks, so invite your friends, family, loved ones, and coworkers to join your team, and to come walk with you, and then post on social media. Send emails to those that you spend time with, and ask them to support your efforts in this Walk. Fundraising is easy. It doesn’t have to be hard or scary. The number one reason people don’t make a donation is because they aren’t asked. So ask folks to support. I think you’ll be surprised at how many people want to support you.”
Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900.
Hear more podcasts about the Walks
- Alzheimer’s: Employers and Caregivers
Cory Townsend, Director of Development for the Alzheimers Association, Washington branch, joins Suzanne to talk about the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. 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 says, “We’re seeing that employers and our partners in the corporate space are recognizing this as an issue. More than 25% of caregivers have to either leave early, or take time off from work, or even retire early because of caregiving demands and through employee resource groups and leave practices. Employers are starting to recognize this need, and we work closely with companies to help them understand that through education programming and importantly, helping their employees to understand that we’re here. The Alzheimer’s Association is here for them with resources and support and information to help them on that caregiving journey and everything. From our 24/7 helpline to our website, to support groups in the community. You find all of those resources at alz.org, and if your company wants to have an education program, get in touch with us. We’re happy to do that.”
Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900.
Hear more podcasts about the Walks
- Grandpa Forgot My Name
Cory Townsend, Director of Development for the Alzheimers Association, Washington branch, joins Suzanne to talk about the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Cory says, “This cause is a lot more than professional for me. When I was a young man in my early twenties, my grandfather forgot who I was, and I was heartbroken. He was a great guy who taught me a lot about life, but also how to fly fish, which is one of my passions. And when he forgot my name, I was heartbroken. We lost my grandpa when he was 99, back in about 2012.
“And since then, since starting with the Alzheimer’s Association, my mom has been diagnosed with younger onset Alzheimer’s disease, and I’m her primary caregiver. She was 64 when she was diagnosed, but was showing symptoms as young as probably about 60.
“So this cause is important to me, and I know it is to the millions of families across the country that are impacted by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. And it’s truly an honor to be able to work with our corporate partners, our donors, our staff are amazing volunteers, and community partners to help folks learn about the disease to get resources and to help change the trajectory of what this disease will be in the future.”
Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900.
Hear more podcasts about the Walks
- Alzheimer’s Pet Stories to Cry For
Therapy animals make a difference in the lives of people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Washington Therapy Dogs’ manager Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne to talk about the science and successes of therapy dogs. Episodes this month support the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
She mentions the article “Pet Power” on the Alzheimer’s Association’s website https://www.alz.org/news/2023/pet-power. The article says, “Animal therapy is an accessible and inexpensive practice that has been shown to provide a wide variety of behavioral and emotional benefits for people living with dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Care Practice Recommendations — guidelines that set the standard for person-centered quality care — cite several studies that assess the effects of regular engagement with both living and robotic animals. The therapy has been shown to improve mood and facilitate social interaction. It can also have a calming effect that helps with dementia-related behavioral problems, and increase physical activity in people living with dementia.”
Marlina says, “One of the communities, we’ve gone there multiple times. This was the first time I saw this resident, she was in a wheelchair and she was catatonic. Her hands were at her side, tucked next to her lap. My dog Lea pulled me toward her. She rested her chin on her lap for five minutes, waiting for her to have an interaction with her. Everybody’s jaw dropped in the entire room. She hadn’t talked or moved in years. Not only did the resident lean forward, but she petted her. I just broke down crying, because there’s nothing you can do in your life like witnessing that. It is such an amazing opportunity to see, and I was a mess.”
To collaborate or learn more about dog training in the U.S., visit watherapydogs.com. Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more.
Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/
- Alzheimer’s and Pet Owners
Supporting the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, this episode is about animal-assisted intervention for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, specifically therapy animals. Washington Therapy Dogs’ manager Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne to talk about a therapy dog team formed as an extension of Answers for Elders.
In this segment, Marlina talks about seniors with Alzheimer’s who have their own pets.
To collaborate or learn more about dog training in the U.S., visit watherapydogs.com. Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more.
Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/
