Lori La Bey: Dementia Care from Crisis to Comfort

In this episode, Norbert welcomes Lori La Bey, an Alzheimer's advocate, as the first Care Captains guest with an official patient advocate role.

Lori shares her inspiring journey from real estate to becoming a full-time patient advocate, driven by her frustration with the lack of support during her mother's 30-year battle with Alzheimer's. She emphasizes the importance of inclusive global approaches and using multi-level media to raise voices, connect people to services, products, and tools, and most importantly, instill hope and eliminate loneliness in the dementia journey.

Laurie also discusses her successful podcast, Alzheimer's Speaks, and her innovative project, Dementiamap.com, a global resource toolbox connecting individuals, organizations, and resources in the dementia community.

Lori also shares details from her recent book, "Betty, the Bald Chicken." Originally thought to be a book about dementia, it turned out to be a broader story about belonging and fostering conversations on self-care and compassion.

The conversation delves into Lori's sources of energy and ideas, her work in patient advocacy, and the importance of collaboration between various stakeholders.

She also tells a poignant story from her memory cafe sessions, emphasizing the need for open discussions about the challenges faced by individuals and families dealing with dementia.

The interview concludes with Lori's three key messages: that no one is alone, that speaking up is essential for support, and that collaboration is crucial in navigating the complexities of dementia care.

See more resources from Lori’s work here:

https://alzheimersspeaks.com/alzheimers-speaks-radio/

https://www.dementiamap.com/

https://alzheimersspeaks.com/book/