Ask Dr. Mia: Navigating Dementia Caregiving

Dr. Mia
  • 5.0 (15)
  • MEDICINE
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Ever wonder how to help your love one through memory changes? Want to find a geriatrician or memory specialist, but they are few and far in between? Dr. Mia is a board-certified geriatrician, former sandwich generation caregiver, memory specialist, on a mission to help you navigate the healthcare system and memory care. She interviews experts and real-life caregivers to help you navigate dementia care and memory changes with confidence and grace.  www.miayangmd.com

  1. Breaking News in Dementia with Dr. Mia Yang

    12H AGO

    Breaking News in Dementia with Dr. Mia Yang

    Send us Fan Mail This episode covers recent advances in Alzheimer's research, including the potential link between shingles vaccination and dementia prevention, the biological shifts in aging, and promising biomarkers and treatments like lithium. Dr. Mia discusses how these findings could impact future therapies and personal health decisions. Shingles Vaccine: The Wales/Australia Natural Experiment in Cell: https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(25)01256-5?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0092867425012565%3Fshowall%3Dtrue More Recent Article on Shingles Vaccine and Cardiovascular Risk: https://techfixated.com/shingles-vaccine-drastically-cuts-heart-risk-nearly-in-half-in-new-study/ Massive Biomolecular Shifts: Scientific article in Nature 2024: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-024-00692-2 From ruins to research: How an ancient brain survived to help understand Alzheimer’s https://www.nuscimagazine.com/from-ruins-to-research-how-an-ancient-brain-survived-to-help-understand-alzheimers Ancient Brain, GFAP and NFL; The Scientific Paper on GFAP and NFL in blood: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41376134/ Lithium as an Alzheimer's Treatment: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2026/01/an-alzheimers-breakthrough-10-years-in-the-making/ (or the pretty pictures in this: https://hms.harvard.edu/news/could-lithium-explain-treat-alzheimers-disease) The pilot study in humans: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2845746#250915094 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Alzheimer's Research News 03:34 The Shingles Vaccine and Dementia Prevention 06:03 Shingles Vaccine: Heart Health Benefits 10:43 Timing & Accelerated Aging 14:02 Ancient Brain Discoveries and Alzheimer's 19:33 Exploring Lithium for Alzheimer's Treatment   Alzheimer's, dementia, shingles vaccine, biomarkers, lithium, aging, neurodegeneration, Alzheimer's research, health tips Support the show Video on Ask Dr. Mia YouTube channel Transcripts on www.miayangmd.com. Transcripts are automatically generated and may contain minor inaccuracies.  Email: ask@miayangmd.com Opinions expressed are exclusive of Dr. Mia Yang and not reflective of her or guest speaker's employers or funders.

    27 min
  2. How to Talk to Kids About Dementia: Pinkie's Turnabout with Sue Lloyd-Davies

    APR 7

    How to Talk to Kids About Dementia: Pinkie's Turnabout with Sue Lloyd-Davies

    Send us Fan Mail In this insightful interview, Sue Lloyd-Davies discusses her book Pinkie’s Turnabout (Fitzroy, February 2026), inspired by her own experiences caring for a loved one with dementia and her work with children in caregiving situations. The conversation explores the emotional journey of caregiving, the importance of understanding dementia, and how families can foster open conversations about these challenges. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pinky's Turnabout 00:54 Inspiration Behind the Book 03:20 Challenges of Caregiving 06:41 Advice for Young Caregivers 09:34 Navigating Grief and Emotions 12:58 The Role of Pets in Caregiving 15:36 Using the Book for Family Conversations ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sue Lloyd-Davies lives and writes in an old cottage in quirky Gulfport, Florida, where fuzzy cat, Arlo, loafs beside her keyboard and occasionally types an extra space or two into her stories. Caring for her mother, whose life — filled with friends, quilting and church — drifted into dementia, inspired her novel about Pinkie.  When she’s not writing, Sue can be found under the oaks handing out hazelnuts to rescue squirrel Owen or careening around the community center in a line dance. Visit her at Suelloyddavies.com, where you can purchase a copy of the book (available wherever books are sold).  PRAISE FOR PINKIE’S TURNABOUT “Drawing on personal experience, Lloyd-Davies confronts the hardships of caring for a loved one with dementia in this brutally tender debut. It’s a surprise-packed narrative that counterbalances nuanced examinations of complicated relationships and hard-earned life lessons against Jack’s delightfully snarky quips.” Ages 9–12. (Feb.) —Publishers Weekly – STARRED Review “Pinkie’s Turnabout is a layered story and an appealing pick for middle grade readers. An entertaining, heartfelt story and a great pick for classroom reading and discussion, all ages will find value in its themes of love and forgiveness, becoming self-aware, not judging by appearance, and the unmasking of subtle prejudices that often go unrecognized. Conflicts and troubles abound for Pinkie at every turn, but love and forgiveness win out in the end in a way that will make your heart grow three sizes. Never preachy, never didactic, the story shows through action and event how to be a better person.” ―Clara Gillow Clark, writing coach and award-winning author of Hill Hawk Hattie and Hattie on Her Way Support the show Video on Ask Dr. Mia YouTube channel Transcripts on www.miayangmd.com. Transcripts are automatically generated and may contain minor inaccuracies.  Email: ask@miayangmd.com Opinions expressed are exclusive of Dr. Mia Yang and not reflective of her or guest speaker's employers or funders.

    20 min
  3. The Power of Presence: How End-of-Life Doulas Support Families with Karon Keller McGovern

    MAR 24

    The Power of Presence: How End-of-Life Doulas Support Families with Karon Keller McGovern

    Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt interview, Karen McGovern shares her personal and professional journey caring for loved ones at the end of life, highlighting the importance of compassion, preparation, and presence. Discover insights into end-of-life care, the role of doulas, and how to navigate grief and caregiving with grace. About Karon Keller McGovern Karon is a Certified End of Life Doula, Reiki Master and Reverend. Her business Loving Embrace – Transition Service Guiding the Client and Family through the final Transition after Karon saw a real need to change how end-of-life patients were not receiving the best care with our medical system.  Contact her by: LovingEmbraceNC@gmail.com or 214-930-1195.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to End-of-Life Care 05:21 Navigating Dementia and Family Dynamics 10:50 Becoming an End-of-Life Doula Support the show Video on Ask Dr. Mia YouTube channel Transcripts on www.miayangmd.com. Transcripts are automatically generated and may contain minor inaccuracies.  Email: ask@miayangmd.com Opinions expressed are exclusive of Dr. Mia Yang and not reflective of her or guest speaker's employers or funders.

    33 min
  4. Unlocking Brain Resilience: Insights from the POINTER Study

    MAR 10

    Unlocking Brain Resilience: Insights from the POINTER Study

    Send us Fan Mail Dr. Mia explores the groundbreaking Finger Study, a global research project on brain health and Alzheimer's prevention, and the US version, called POINTER study. Discover why lifestyle changes like exercise, diet, and cognitive activities can significantly improve brain resilience and delay cognitive decline. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Pointer Study 02:44 Understanding the US Pointer Recipe 05:28 The Role of Exercise in Brain Health 08:16 Dietary Impacts on Cognitive Function 10:57 Gut-Brain Connection and Its Implications 14:01 Cognitive Exercises and Health Monitoring 15:51 Empowerment Through Lifestyle Changes Support the show Video on Ask Dr. Mia YouTube channel Transcripts on www.miayangmd.com. Transcripts are automatically generated and may contain minor inaccuracies.  Email: ask@miayangmd.com Opinions expressed are exclusive of Dr. Mia Yang and not reflective of her or guest speaker's employers or funders.

    17 min
  5. Advice For the Sandwich Generation

    FEB 24

    Advice For the Sandwich Generation

    Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Dr. Mia and Dr. Catherine Madison discuss the complexities of caregiving for individuals with dementia, drawing from personal experiences and professional insights. They explore the importance of understanding advanced care planning, and the vulnerability of dementia patients to health challenges. The discussion also covers legal considerations for caregivers, tools for initiating end-of-life conversations, and lifestyle changes that can enhance brain health. Dr. Madison emphasizes the need for open dialogue about death and dying, as well as the significance of research in improving dementia care. Dr. Catherine Madison, a board-certified neurologist and author of Navigating Memory Loss: Essential Questions and Answers on Alzheimer’s and Dementia. With over 40 years of experience in clinical neurology, Dr. Madison has dedicated her career to helping individuals and families understand, manage, and live well with cognitive decline. As the founding medical director of the Ray Dolby Brain Health Center in San Francisco, she developed a groundbreaking model of care that supports both patients and their loved ones, a holistic approach that has since influenced dementia programs nationwide. She continues this work through her private practice and her role with Jewish Family and Children’s Services (seniors at home), where she educates families on brain health, cognitive aging, and care planning. Dr. Madison is known for blending clinical expertise with a deeply human touch. Her new book translates the most current research on Alzheimer’s and dementia into clear, compassionate answers for those facing these conditions. She’s an engaging and empathetic guest who can speak on: How to recognize the earliest signs of memory loss—and what to do nextThe latest science on Alzheimer’s and other dementiasHow families can plan for care, maintain connection, and protect quality of lifePractical steps for supporting brain health as we ageGoodreads: https://bit.ly/4h7UbN5 Amazon: https://bit.ly/4of9qGv Book: navigating memory loss https://codaalliance.org/go-wish/#faqs https://seniorsathome.jfcs.org/ Chapters 00:00 Navigating Memory Loss: Introduction to Dementia Care 02:31 Personal Journey: The Impact of Caregiving 05:16 Understanding Anosognosia: Awareness in Dementia 08:08 Advanced Care Planning: Preparing for the Future 10:55 The Vulnerability of Dementia: Health Challenges 13:43 Legal Considerations: Directives and Estate Planning 16:22 Conversations About End-of-Life: Tools and Techniques 19:07 Lifestyle Changes: Enhancing Brain Health 21:19 Research Insights: The Future of Dementia Care Support the show Video on Ask Dr. Mia YouTube channel Transcripts on www.miayangmd.com. Transcripts are automatically generated and may contain minor inaccuracies.  Email: ask@miayangmd.com Opinions expressed are exclusive of Dr. Mia Yang and not reflective of her or guest speaker's employers or funders.

    32 min
  6. The Changing Definition of Alzheimer's

    FEB 10

    The Changing Definition of Alzheimer's

    Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder why the news reports on Alzheimer's causes are so confusing and what's the fuss about these amyloid plaques? This conversation delves into the evolving understanding of Alzheimer's disease, highlighting the shift from traditional diagnosis of exclusion to new definition by underlying pathology.  Dr. Mia explains the differences between Alzheimer's disease and dementia, the role of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, and the complexities of diagnosing and treating Alzheimer's in the context of vascular dementia. This episode contains visuals, which could be followed along by YouTube video.  Alzheimer's disease, dementia, amyloid plaques, tau tangles, cognitive impairment, vascular dementia, diagnosis, treatment, brain health, memory loss Support the show Video on Ask Dr. Mia YouTube channel Transcripts on www.miayangmd.com. Transcripts are automatically generated and may contain minor inaccuracies.  Email: ask@miayangmd.com Opinions expressed are exclusive of Dr. Mia Yang and not reflective of her or guest speaker's employers or funders.

    18 min
  7. Surviving the Holidays with Archangels' Alex Drane

    12/17/2025

    Surviving the Holidays with Archangels' Alex Drane

    Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Alex Drane and Dr. Mia discuss the challenges and realities of unpaid caregiving, emphasizing the importance of self-identification, data, and community support. They explore how caregivers often overlook their own needs while focusing on those they care for, and the necessity of finding respite and grace in their roles. The discussion also touches on the impact of caregiving on mental health, especially during stressful times like the holidays, and the need for a supportive community to help caregivers navigate their responsibilities. Archangels website: https://www.archangels.me/ Intensity score quiz: https://www.archangels-cii.me/get-started/?utm_source=aacaregiverpage&utm_medium=weblink&utm_campaign=general About Alexandra Drane Alexandra is co-founder and CEO of ARCHANGELS — a women-owned, public benefit corporation and omni-channel platform shamelessly hustling to make change happen for the 43% of adults across our nation serving as unpaid caregivers. ARCHANGELS engages and supports caregivers across all 50 states through partnerships with employers, consumer brands, health-plans/systems, communities, and states. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Archangels and Caregiving 02:58 Understanding the Caregiver's Role and Identity 05:44 The Power of Data and Storytelling in Caregiving 08:28 Navigating Intensity and Self-Care as a Caregiver 11:38 The Importance of Respite and Support 14:23 Finding Grace and Permission to Care for Yourself 17:09 Community and Connection Among Caregivers 19:56 The Impact of Holidays on Caregivers 23:08 The Future of Caregiving and Advocacy 26:02 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement for Caregivers Support the show Video on Ask Dr. Mia YouTube channel Transcripts on www.miayangmd.com. Transcripts are automatically generated and may contain minor inaccuracies.  Email: ask@miayangmd.com Opinions expressed are exclusive of Dr. Mia Yang and not reflective of her or guest speaker's employers or funders.

    30 min
  8. Dementia Basics

    12/02/2025

    Dementia Basics

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Mia talks about the common questions that come up in memory clinic such as:  Chapters 00:00 Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer's Basics 02:54 Differentiating Between Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Dementia 06:19 Exploring Types of Dementia 11:01 Stages of Dementia Explained Support the show Video on Ask Dr. Mia YouTube channel Transcripts on www.miayangmd.com. Transcripts are automatically generated and may contain minor inaccuracies.  Email: ask@miayangmd.com Opinions expressed are exclusive of Dr. Mia Yang and not reflective of her or guest speaker's employers or funders.

    17 min
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Ever wonder how to help your love one through memory changes? Want to find a geriatrician or memory specialist, but they are few and far in between? Dr. Mia is a board-certified geriatrician, former sandwich generation caregiver, memory specialist, on a mission to help you navigate the healthcare system and memory care. She interviews experts and real-life caregivers to help you navigate dementia care and memory changes with confidence and grace.  www.miayangmd.com

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