Life on Repeat: A Dementia Caregiver Podcast

Laura Vaillancourt
Life on Repeat: A Dementia Caregiver Podcast

Life on Repeat is a podcast for those caring for someone with dementia. Join Laura Vaillancourt, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Geriatric Mental Health Specialist and Eldercare Coach as she explores helpful caregiving tips, practical resources and most importantly, how to care for yourself through this journey.

  1. MAR 18

    Transforming Personal Struggle Into Community Support with Martha Ranon

    In this heartfelt episode of 'Life on Repeat', host Laura Vaillancourt welcomes Martha Ranon, the Executive Vice President of Southern Caregiver Resource Center, based in San Diego. Martha shares her personal journey from caring for her great aunt, who was living with dementia, to her role in supporting other caregivers through her work. The conversation delves into the challenges and intricacies of caregiving, highlighting the importance of community support, self-care, and accessible resources. Martha discusses the unique services her organization provides, from support groups to educational programs, all aimed at aiding caregivers of those with cognitive impairments or the elderly needing assistance. The episode not only provides insight into the valuable work of the Southern Caregiver Resource Center but also offers practical advice and encouragement for caregivers navigating their roles. With listeners from 52 countries tuning in, this episode is a beacon of hope and a source of vital information for caregivers worldwide. You can find out more about the Southern Caregiver Resource Center here: https://www.caregivercenter.org/ FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com RATE & SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered. We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate. You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device. Or simply go to the link below for ease =). lifeonrepeatpodcast.com/listen

    38 min
  2. FEB 2

    The Dementia Connection Model with Dr Jennifer Stelter

    The Dementia Connection Model: Non-Pharmacological Tools for Better Dementia Care Licensed Mental Health Counselor Laura Vaillancourt talks to Clinical Psychologist Dr. Jennifer Stelter, who co-owns the Dementia Connection Institute. Dr. Stelter has created the Dementia Connection Model, aiming to improve dementia care through non-pharmacologic interventions. Dr. Stelter discusses how she linked theoretical concepts, such as retrogenesis theory, to practical treatments like sensory stimulation for dementia patients, revealing the impact of these methods on their moods and behavior. Dr. Stelter's model applies to all caregivers, both professional and family, and involves evaluating dementia patients' needs based on their developmental age, not their chronological age. The results are impactful and long-term, incorporating these methods into daily routines as a 'prescription' for dementia care. Check out Dr. Stelter's book, 'The Busy Caregiver's Guide to Advanced Alzheimer's Disease', which details very helpful information and great insights related to caregiving. Learn more about the Dementia Connection Model and Dr Stelter's work in the world of dementia care. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation 01:23 Dr. Jennifer Stelter's Journey into Dementia Care 04:19 Introduction to the Dementia Connection Model 04:43 The Development and Pillars of the Dementia Connection Model 09:15 The Impact of Sensory Stimulation in Dementia Care 12:41 The Cognitive Behavioral Theory in Dementia Care 16:34 Practical Implementation of the Dementia Connection Model 21:15 The Power of Contrast in Food Presentation 21:34 The Benefits of a Mediterranean Diet for Dementia Patients 22:18 Impressive Results from the Three-Month Implementation 22:36 The Impact of the Study on Dementia Care Assisted Living 23:07 The Financial Benefits of the Study 25:08 The Role of the Book in Spreading the Knowledge 26:53 The Importance of Creativity in Dementia Care 29:59 The Concept of Prescriptive Engagement 36:46 The Future of Dementia Care and the Dementia Connection Institute 39:18 Final Thoughts and Encouragement 39:42 Closing Remarks and Contact Information FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com RATE & SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered. We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate. You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device. Or simply go to the link below for ease =). a...

    41 min
  3. 12/12/2022

    Maintaining Your Cool During Family Conflict with Kimberly Best

    Laura and Kimberly explore the world of transformative mediation with family members who are caring for older adults. Kimberly has some fantastic tips on maintaining your calm in the midst of family chaos. You will love this discussion! Here are some interesting points from our discussion: -Factors that might contribute to caregiving conflict -Helpful tips for handling conflict with family members -How professional mediation can be helpful for families Kimberly Best is a trained Family Mediator and owns Best Conflict Solutions focusing on collaborative problem-solving in healthcare, small business mediation, and conflict management, organizational conflict, elder mediation, family and relationship mediation, dialogue facilitation, and conflict coaching. She spent the first season of her career as a Registered Nurse in intensive care, trauma, and emergency medicine, where she cared for people in extreme need and gained valuable experience in the medical system. You can find more about Kimberly Best and her work here: Website: CBest Conflict Solutions: Meditation & Conflict Consulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kimberlybestmediator Facebook: rBest Conflict Solutions Instagram: eKimberly Best (@kimberly_a_best) Twitter: akimberly_a_best FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com RATE & SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered. We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate. You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device. Or simply go to the link below for ease =). lifeonrepeatpodcast.com/listen

    41 min
  4. 11/14/2022

    Finding the Right Words with Cindy Weinstein

    Join us as we talk with Cindy Weinstein, author and English professor, about her experience with her father's Alzheimer's diagnosis, as a distant caregiver and her new book. Cindy's goal in writing her book, Finding the Right Words, was to equip readers with knowledge by sharing terms, basic neurology, graphs and images weaved throughout her story of her family's journey with her father's diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease. In this episode, we talk about: Cindy's inside view into neurology and dementia as a student Depression and dementiaThe importance of supporting family caregiversThe importance of sharing your story with your doctor or neurologistHow she forgot that her father was dying as her life adjusted to being a distance caregiver Cindy Weinstein is the Eli and Edythe Broad Professor of English at California Institute of Technology. She has written several books on U.S. Literature and most recently wrote Finding the Right Words, a Story of Literature, Grief and the Brain. You can find out more about Cindy's book here: Finding the Right Words Cindy's account on Mastodon: @CindyWeinstein@zirk.us FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com RATE & SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered. We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate. You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device. Or simply go to the link below for ease =). lifeonrepeatpodcast.com/listen

    49 min
  5. 10/31/2022

    Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver with Gretchen Staebler

    You'll love this episode with Laura and Gretchen as we talk about Gretchen's experience caring for her mother. Gretchen left her job and friends on the East Coast in 2012 and returned to her childhood home on the West Coast to companion her 96 year old mother from whom she had been 'comfortably distanced' for 36 years. Her degree in counseling didn't help with this gig! Gretchen is the author of Mother Lode: Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver. We discuss what helped Gretchen remain sane: Maintaining her old habits/tapping into her old selfHer weekly writing group: "writing saved me"YogaListing 5 things she is grateful for dailyKeeping a list of what happened, what she did about it and the outcome Gretchen has a fabulous website with pages I had fun exploring such as recipes, reading lists, and an encouragement page: gretchenstaebler.com She is also known for her amazing blog and welcomes your stories, too: https://gretchenstaebler.com/blog FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com RATE & SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered. We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate. You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device. Or simply go to the link below for ease =). lifeonrepeatpodcast.com/listen

    35 min
  6. 10/12/2022

    How a Speech Language Pathologist Can Lighten the Load of Caregiving with Adria Thompson

    You will love this episode with the amazing Adria Thompson! I was so excited to interview her, as she has a wealth of knowledge and experience in getting creative with challenging situations that caregivers face. Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) do so much more than assist with swallowing and speaking. I personally follow her Instagram account and learn so much! In this episode, we explore: The differences between Physical, Occupational, and Speech TherapistsAddressing behavior challenges with dementiaHow to access SLP services and how to get a referral 3 areas of expertise an SLP provides: Communication: comprehension and body languageCognition: thinking skills, problem-solving, organizing thoughtsSwallowing: safety in oral, feeding, and swallowing skills If you care for someone with dementia, you know these three areas can present challenges in providing quality care. Adria is deeply passionate about the large and ever-growing population of people with dementia in this world. She has the experience, creativity, and heart to help solve the most challenging problems. Adria is a Licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Dementia Consultant, Certified Dementia Practitioner®️, and Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional®️ You can find out more about Adria and her services on her website: belightcare.com Follow Adria on social media for creative caregiving tips Instagram: @belightcare Facebook: @belightcareconsulting TikTok: @belightcare FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered. We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate. You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device. Or simply go to the link below for ease =). a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeonrepeatpodcast.com%2Flisten%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR34b75e6_OKim6QXBHm60wbHlVE1Nrm02jAq02MDHNq22XNSGLw5o25PRQ&h=AT2mYTlmlDLMgfM-arSN4jaPC-Kb7yNt2wfUX61dP0ZV907LR4YDt8ZfYBOJP2HEjbzL7W2Aksnnxh7cehMeCrryeMgHq8-U1XiOKKDHnSI0rU1X9GusEH50eJUi6jCjIPwEl8jDm6Bc_C4p3QRbloI&__tn__=-UK-R&c%5B0%5D=AT2m8j5MeBR0-O1bWJD79ktEoQLHXNBh4JlK6Zhrda7j6sVy4WNSkkyrhPRhngYpTAsfK44tW1zfqFlM_akZ4DF2lzdWYM9S4TIE4FOWwBm0gbrPHXNRk4KddASpqNYYT-DdJ_zD-fBA0ZAf9Je8Hn6v4_S90fXJkx-Xwx5TU0Zf0z7w6DyrOaRHWOxPyUjBf3nr" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    45 min
  7. 09/12/2022

    Learn to Love Your Sleep with Dr Kim Dwyer

    What do humans beings spend more time doing than anything else? Sleep! Dr. Kim was so kind to share about all things sleep with us in this episode. Caregivers often struggle with sleep whether it is due to increased stress, worry or needing to be awake and alert to care for loved ones. Did you know that what you do in the morning has a direct impact on the quality of your sleep that night? Or that being up for 19 hours will impair you at the equivalency of being intoxicated? We learn about: The ramifications of not getting good sleepWhy total sleep is not the same as quality of sleepWhat good sleep hygiene looks likeNew science about sleepWhy we are poor historians of our sleepSleep aids and sleep supplementsCreative ways of addressing insomnia Dr. Kimberley Dwyer is a clinical psychologist, author and business coach. She has over two decades of experience working with adults, teens and children, and excels at the treatment of anxiety, stress and managing transitional times. Her most recent book release fore adults, Mindful Mondays: Transforming the Everyday to Claim Calm and Reduce Stress, supports people with everyday strategies for mindfulness during daily living. Learn more about Dr. Kim Dwyer at www.drkimdwyer.com. Dr. Kim wrote a great article about sleep here: A Good Night's Sleep Dr. Kim also recommends checking out: Why we Sleep, a book by Matthew WalkerNational Sleep Foundation.org and their Sleep DiaryCBT-I, Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia FOLLOW LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered. We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate. You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device. Or simply go to the link below for ease =). a...

    47 min
  8. 08/22/2022

    A Mile at a Time: It's All Good Training with Travis and Mark Macy

    This is a special episode with two participants, father and son, of the Amazon Original World's Toughest Race: Eco Challenge Fiji. Mark and Travis Macy have life-long experience training and participating in Eco-Challenges all over the world and are intimately familiar with uncertainty and resiliency. You will appreciate hearing their perspective on Mark's Alzheimer's diagnosis and how their family is moving through this together. Mark talks openly about the importance of not hiding his diagnosis and the value in talking and sharing about it. The cross-over of skills needed to master surviving challenging environments while pushing ones body/mind/spirit to its limits and navigating life with Alzheimer's are not to be lost on their journey. Some advice: Make it a team thingStay engagedGo as fast as we can and as slow as we must Travis and Mark are co-authors of the upcoming book: A Mile at a Time, which is about the experience of the Eco-Challenge race and of the bond Mark and Travis share. The book releases on March 14, 2023 and is available for pre-order now wherever books are sold: Indiebound Amazon B&N.com  You can learn more and follow Travis here: Facebook: @travis.macy.7 Twitter: @TravisMacy Insta: @travismacy www.travismacy.com www.amileatatimebook.com www.thetravismacyshow.com   Follow Mark here: Instagram:  @mmacy146 Facebook: @mark.macy.5283 And check out Imagine Publishing: Twitter: @Imagine_CB Insta: @Imagine_cb Facebook: @ImaginePublishing   FOLLOW LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered. We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may

    50 min
5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Life on Repeat is a podcast for those caring for someone with dementia. Join Laura Vaillancourt, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Geriatric Mental Health Specialist and Eldercare Coach as she explores helpful caregiving tips, practical resources and most importantly, how to care for yourself through this journey.

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