Dementia Discussions Barbara Hament

Dr. Sherry Yafai joins me to discuss cannabis as a treatment for many symptoms that arise with dementia. As an emergency room physician turned cannabis clinician, Dr. Yafai shares her expertise on using cannabis for issues like anxiety, sleep disturbances, and pain. We discuss appropriate dosing, cannabis formulations, and most importantly - seeing a specialist versus experimenting on your own.
Dr. Yafai stumbled into the world of medical cannabis while working in the ER, with patients mentioning using cannabis for issues like arthritis pain and chemotherapy side effects. She was skeptical at first but dove into the research to learn more. Now she consults with patients to create personalized cannabis treatment plans to replace or enhance traditional pharmaceutical options.
 
Episode Highlights:
[09:42] - Coming "out of the closet" to colleagues about being a cannabis doctor.
[15:39] - Why doctor recommendation makes cannabis legitimate medicine vs. recreational.
[22:22] - Using THC for improved sleep-in dementia patients.
[28:55] - Risk of addiction/dependence with medical cannabis.
[32:26] - Various formulations like chocolate, honey, tea.
[35:47] - Start low, go slow philosophy with dosing.
[43:31] - Reach out for professional guidance from a cannabis clinician.
 
Connect with Dr. Sherry Yafai:
·         Website: https://sherryyafaimd.com/ 
·         The Releaf Institute: https://thereleafinstitute.com/ 
·         Cannabis Clinicians: https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/ 
 
Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Gabrielle "Dr. Gabby" Mahler, a mobile dentist who makes house calls to patients, the majority of whom have varying stages of dementia. Dr. Gabby explains how she can perform cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, and denture fittings in clients' homes and residential facilities. She also shares creative strategies for providing oral hygiene care to those who refuse it or cannot do it themselves.
 
About my Guest: Dr. Gabrielle “Dr. Gabby” Mahler
Dr. Gaby has been practicing mobile dentistry for 14 years. She started working with retirement homes early in her career which exposed her to the immense need for at-home dental care options for older adults and people with disabilities. She now owns a mobile practice serving clients throughout LA.
 
Episode Highlights:
[05:11] - Transitioning from traditional dentistry to mobile dentistry.
[10:49] - The surprisingly wide range of procedures possible in the home.
[16:41] - Attempting dentures on dementia patients.
[23:21] - Preserving patients' joy of eating.
[24:56] - How medical insurance applies to mobile dentistry.
[35:01] - Educating caregivers on proper oral hygiene routines.
[43:15] - Detecting dental issues in uncommunicative patients.
[48:39] - How to prepare food for safe eating.
[53:21] - Caring for removable dentures and partials.
[1:01:02] - The differences treating dementia patients.
 
Connect with Gabrielle Mahler, DDS:
Website - https://www.inhomedentalcare.com/ 
 
Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.

Joining me in this episode is Kevin Jameson, founder and CEO of the Dementia Society of America. Kevin shares his personal journey of caring for his wife who was diagnosed with dementia, which led him to start this organization. He provides an in-depth look at the various types of dementia, the importance of early diagnosis, and lifestyle changes we can make to reduce our risk.
 
About My Guest, Kevin Jameson
Kevin started the Dementia Society of America after his wife was diagnosed with dementia in her late 50s. He became her primary caregiver and realized there were few resources available, prompting him to start this nonprofit organization. As a leading voice in the dementia field, Kevin is dedicated to providing education, improving quality of life, and funding research.
 
Episode Highlights:
[00:55] - Introducing my guest, Kevin Jameson, Founder of the Dementia Society of America.
[04:14] - Kevin shares his emotional story of his wife Ginny’s journey to a dementia diagnosis.
[10:50] - After the diagnosis, Kevin and his wife started traveling the world, seizing the day.
[12:24] - The emotional transition from home care to a care facility and hospice.
[15:20] - The Dementia Society of America was founded in 2003.
[16:28] - We discuss the myths about most dementia cases.
[20:18] - Simple lifestyle changes we can make to reduce dementia risk factors.
[25:04] - Minor changes in cognitive impairment are hard to spot, there is no lightning moment.
[32:56] - How clinical trials have advanced.
[33:48] - Overview of the Dementia Society's programs.
 
Links & Resources:
Dementia Society of America: https://www.dementiasociety.org/ 

Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.

In this episode, we invite back special guest, Tami Anastasia. I had the pleasure of meeting Tami at an Aging Life Care Association Conference, where Tami's expertise in dementia care stood out. Tami is not just a dementia consultant; she's also an educator and the author of "Essential Strategies for the Dementia Caregiver: Learning to Pace Yourself." Tami's primary focus is on supporting primary caregivers or care partners, those who shoulder the responsibility of caring for a loved one with dementia. Through her private practice, she offers a wide range of support services. This includes counseling and emotional assistance, but she doesn't stop there. Tami provides invaluable guidance on domestic care strategies tailored to the unique challenges of caring for someone living with dementia. Tami's impact extends beyond the realm of family caregiving. She conducts professional in-service trainings, equipping other healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to care for individuals living with dementia effectively. Tami's commitment to the dementia caregiving community is further evidenced by her involvement in caregiver support groups throughout the Northern California Bay Area, with a primary focus on the San Jose region. She plays an active role in these groups, offering guidance and support to those facing the challenges of dementia care.
Timeline Summary:
[05:16] - Coping with dementia caregiver stress
[10:40] - Dementia care and communication strategies
[15:58] - Dementia caregiving challenges and fears
[26:12] - Dementia and its impact on thinking and behavior
[30:12] - Supporting caregivers of people with dementia
[40:58] - Dementia care strategies and emotional support

If you enjoyed hearing Tami share her insights and advice about being a dementia caregiver, be sure to follow Dementia Discussions to catch future episodes. Consider giving the show a 5-star rating and leaving a review to help more families impacted by dementia discover the podcast. Until next time!

Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.

The holidays can be an especially difficult time for dementia caregivers. In this compassionate episode, expert Tammy Anastasia shares her top strategies to reduce caregiver stress, honor feelings of grief, and create new meaningful traditions.
I had the pleasure of meeting Tami at an Aging Life Care Association Conference, where Tami's expertise in dementia care stood out. Tami is not just a dementia consultant; she's also an educator and the author of "Essential Strategies for the Dementia Caregiver: Learning to Pace Yourself." Tami's primary focus is on supporting primary caregivers or care partners, those who shoulder the responsibility of caring for a loved one with dementia. Through her private practice, she offers a wide range of support services. 
 
Episode Highlights:
[00:37] - The mixed feelings caregivers face during the holidays. Let go of comparing to past holidays.
[02:48] - What's one tradition you could modify to make things easier?
[08:26] - Don't judge your own limitations. Give yourself permission to do less and say no.
[13:19] - Name tags can ease social awkwardness when your loved one can't remember people.
[21:35] - A caregiver calendar of festive activities for every day of December.
[23:40] - Schedule holiday activities during your loved one's best time of day.
[26:28] - Reach out to caregivers so they don't feel lonely and isolated.
[30:10] - Take a drive to see festive light displays.
[31:58] - Allow yourself to feel sadness and loss. Find ways to comfort difficult emotions.
[35:48] - Take 10 festive minutes every day just for you as a holiday gift to yourself.
[38:05] - You are a gift to the person you care for.
 
Connect with Tami Anastasia:
Website: https://tamianastasia.com/ 
If you enjoyed hearing Tami share her insights and advice about being a dementia caregiver, be sure to follow Dementia Discussions to catch future episodes. Consider giving the show a 5-star rating and leaving a review to help more families impacted by dementia discover the podcast. Until next time!
Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.

In this heartfelt episode, I welcome back Jay Swerdlow, a longtime support group member. Jay shares the difficult journey of placing his wife Andy, who has Alzheimer's disease, into memory care. He discusses the challenges of caring for her at home as her disease progressed and delusions worsened. Though it broke his heart, Jay knew he had to make the difficult decision to move Andy to a care facility for both of their wellbeing. He talks about visiting her regularly, dealing with her not always recognizing him, and finding acceptance with where they are in this ongoing journey of a dreadful disease.
Jay Swerdlow is a member of the UCLA Mary S. Easton Alzheimer's Disease Research Center support group, which Barbara co-leads. Jay has been married to his wife Andy for 58 years before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2019. Since 2021, Andy has been living at a memory care facility.
 
Timeline Summary:
[01:36] - Andy was a schoolteacher diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2019.
[03:47] - Andy's constant asking to go see her deceased parents was a daily struggle.
[05:30] - Jay's initial mistakes responding to Andy's questions before joining a support group.
[09:20] - Challenges during the difficult transition of moving Andy into memory care.
[14:04] - The ongoing difficulty of bringing Andy back to the care facility after taking her on outings.
[16:44] - Andy not understanding celebrating her 80th birthday.
[19:12] - Jay visits Andy three times a week at her care facility.
[23:02] - Andy still recognizes their sons when they visit.
 
If you enjoyed hearing Jay share his family’s dementia journey, be sure to follow Dementia Discussions to catch future episodes. Consider giving the show a 5-star rating and leaving a review to help more families impacted by dementia discover the podcast. Until next time!

Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.