The Caregiver's Journey

“An accurate early dementia diagnosis is essential. It can make a significant difference in how families navigate the diagnosis.” Esther Kane, MSN, RN

Your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia… but do you ever wonder if they’ve been diagnosed with the correct type? Do you find yourself thinking: “This diagnosis doesn’t quite fit what I’m seeing.” You’re not alone. Getting the correct diagnosis opens the right doors to support, care, and community that you might not have known existed.

We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we’ve learned firsthand that not all dementias are the same. Understanding the specific type of dementia your loved one has ensures they’re receiving the correct medical care and helps you connect with the education, targeted support groups, and research opportunities tailored to your loved one’s specific needs.

In this post, we’re sharing insights from Esther Kane, a registered nurse and the Director of Support and Education for the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD). As a director of nursing in multiple memory care facilities, Esther’s entire career has been supporting and caring for individuals living with all types of dementia. In her role at AFTD, Esther works to advance early, accurate FTD diagnoses in order to improve the quality of life for those impacted by the disease.

We’re exploring five essential tips for ensuring your loved one receives the correct dementia diagnosis and how to leverage this knowledge for better care.

Full Show Notes

https://thecaregiversjourney.org/54-why-the-right-dementia-diagnosis-matters-five-essential-tips-alzheimers-and-other-dementias/

Additional Resources Mentioned

Alzheimer’s Association 10 signs of dementia: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs
Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap guide: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/guides/
Association for Frontotemporal Dementia (AFTD): https://www.theaftd.org/
Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney

Takeaways

Tip 1: Learn More About Dementia and Push to Dig Deeper

Tip 2: Find Your Specific Diagnosis Community, Resources, and Support

Tip 3: Monitor Disease Progression and Prepare

Tip 4: Investigate Clinical Trials

Tip 5: Understand the Genetic Risk Associated with This Diagnosis

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“What really helps is grounding yourself in three things: what change you’re noticing, how different it is from who this person has always been, and whether it’s getting worse over time.” — Dr. Anna Chodos

Are you concerned that your loved one is showing early signs of dementia? Do you find yourself noticing changes but unsure whether they’re significant? You’re not alone in this uncertainty, and there are clear steps you can take to address your concerns.

We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we understand how challenging it can be to recognize early signs of dementia and know what to do next. We’re sharing insights about practical guidance for managing through those early signs of dementia from Dr. Anna Chodos, professor of medicine in geriatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, and executive director of Dementia Care Aware, and Dr. Barry Jacobs, clinical psychologist, family therapist, and co-author of the AARP Caregiver Answer Book.

Let’s explore three essential tips for recognizing early dementia signs — starting difficult conversations with your loved one and communicating effectively with healthcare providers.

Connect with us and share your tips:

Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/
Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Full Show Notes

Additional Resources Mentioned

Alzheimer’s Association 10 signs of dementia: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs
Dementia Care Aware: https://www.dementiacareaware.org/
Barry’s website www.caregiveranswerbook.com
Buy the Caregiver Answer Book on Amazon https://amzn.to/4i9V9ZL
Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney

Takeaways

Tip 1: Know What Signs to Look For — They’re More Than Just Memory

Tip 2: Start Early and Normalize Health Conversations

Tip 3: Plan Ahead for the Doctor’s Appointment

Read More in This Blog

https://sueryansolutions.medium.com/54-recognizing-early-signs-of-dementia-how-to-start-the-conversation-with-family-and-doctors-04b80dfd3b6e?postPublishedType=repub

"Dementia is not just a medical journey, but it's a financial and emotional one." – Devon Banning, CFP

Are you avoiding the financial conversation with your loved one because it feels uncomfortable or overwhelming? Do you find yourself wondering how you'll afford care as your loved one's needs increase?

Are you concerned about making the right financial decisions during this challenging time?

We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we know that money is often the last conversation we want to have, but it's inevitable. We have to have it.

Today, we're sharing five essential tips for navigating the financial aspects of dementia caregiving with Devon Banning, a Certified Financial Planner with Moran Wealth Management. Devon has more than 15 years of experience across a range of roles in the financial industry, and he brings invaluable depth of experience with dementia family caregiving. He's spent the majority of his career managing financial lives for individuals and families, many of whom were suddenly thrust into the caregiving role due to dementia.

Here's what makes this conversation easier: it'll be much more manageable when we respect our loved ones' dignity, independence, and their wishes throughout all of our conversations. Today is about helping you learn options for taking your next step—options that are going to make you feel more confident without needing to have all the answers at one time.

This episode supports step three of our Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap Guide: understand the financial situation. If you've been putting this conversation off, you're definitely not alone. This is an area many caregivers hesitate to step into. It's deeply personal, and it can feel intimidating—especially if we wish we'd addressed it sooner.

Connect with us and share your tips:

Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/

Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Full Show Notes

https://thecaregiversjourney.org/53-the-dementia-care-financial-conversation-five-essential-tips-alzheimers-and-other-dementias-2/

Additional Resources Mentioned

Moran Wealth Management https://moranwm.com/

Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice. The views expressed are those of the participants as of the date recorded and may change without notice. Nothing discussed should be considered a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any security or to engage in any particular investment strategy. Listeners should consult their own financial, legal, or tax professionals before making any financial decisions. Moran Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney

Takeaways

Get the Financial Conversation Started

Use these 8 steps to guide the conversation

Understand the different stages of financial considerations

Understand The Financial Position of Your Loved One

Consider Leveraging a Financial Planning Expert

Read More in This Blog

https://medium.com/@sueryansolutions/financial-planning-for-dementia-caregiving-five-essential-tips-edf00b98be82

Are you prepared if a major storm threatens your area? Do you know whether to evacuate or shelter in place with your loved one who has dementia? Have you created a communication plan that accounts for potential power outages and cell tower failures?

We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we understand how storm season brings critical decisions that require advance planning. Whether your loved one lives at home or in a care community, preparing for storms demands special considerations for people living with dementia.

Recently, we spoke with Celeste Lynch, Executive Director at Moorings Park Grand Lake in Naples, Florida. With nearly 40 years of experience in senior living leadership, emergency planning, and resident safety, Celeste shared invaluable insights on storm preparedness from both the care community and at-home perspectives.

If you're following along with the Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap Guide, today's topic aligns with Step 14: Create a Care Plan and Family Emergency Plan.

Let's explore four essential tips for weathering storms safely with your loved one who has dementia.

Connect with us and share your tips:

Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/
Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Full Show Notes

https://thecaregiversjourney.org/52-preparing-for-stormy-weather-four-essential-tips-alzheimers-and-other-dementias/

Additional Resources Mentioned

Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap guide: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/guides/
Moorings Park community: https://www.mooringspark.org/ 
FEMA assistance programs: https://www.fema.gov/
DisasterAssistance.gov: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
Relief organizations such as the Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/
Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney

Takeaways

We shared 4 tips:

Preparing Ahead of Time 
Decide whether you will shelter in place or evacuate
Strengthen Your Communication Plan Before, During, and After the Storm 
Post storm, safely get them back in their routine

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"The difference between TV as comfort and TV as chaos isn't the screen—it's understanding how the changing brain experiences what's on it."

Do you rely on television to help occupy your loved one's time? Does your care receiver seem agitated or anxious when the TV is on? Have you noticed them leaving the room when a show is playing or struggling to follow programs they once enjoyed?

We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we've learned that what soothes us as caregivers can actually cause distress for people living with dementia. In this episode, we spoke with Allyson Schrier, co-founder and president of Zinnia TV and former caregiver for her husband with frontotemporal dementia, about why regular TV can be problematic and what we can do about it.

Let's explore four essential tips for managing TV time effectively.

Connect with us and share your tips:

Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/
Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Full Show Notes

Additional Resources Mentioned

Zinnia TV https://www.zinniatv.com
Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney

Takeaways

Tip 1: Be Thoughtful About What’s On TV

The answer isn’t to take TV away completely. We need to be thoughtful about what we put on the TV and pay close attention to how our loved ones respond.

Tip 2: Target Something That Creates Curiosity Without Agitation

The goal is to find programming that engages without overstimulating or causing your loved one to fall asleep (because daytime sleeping can lead to nighttime wakefulness).

Tip 3: Leverage Simulated Presence Therapy

The innovative approach of simulated presence therapy takes advantage of how people with dementia can experience confusion between what’s on screen and what’s actually happening — and uses it to benefit them.

What is simulated presence therapy? Research has shown that when someone will only take medication or follow instructions from a specific person (like a daughter or doctor), showing them a video of that person giving the instruction can work just as effectively as having the person physically present.

Tip 4: Create Engaging Alternatives On Your Own

Beyond television, there are creative ways to provide visual engagement that work better with how the dementia brain processes information.

Observe and Adjust

Managing the television experience for someone with dementia isn’t about finding one perfect solution. What works today may not work next month as the disease progresses, and that’s reasonable. The process is about observing how your loved one responds and adjusting accordingly.

The key is understanding the changing brain experiences television very differently than we do. Through being thoughtful about what’s on the screen, targeting content that engages without overwhelming, leveraging simulated presence therapy, and creating our own alternatives, we can turn TV time from a potential source of agitation into a positive opportunity for comfort and connection.

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