The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

Ken Cardita - Ascending Minds LLC
  • 4.8 (31)
  • Mental Health
  • Weekly Series

This podcast is the story of Ken and Shanna, a married couple who's lives have been forever changed (for the better) because we have learned to live with and ultimately Survive Alzheimer's disease. We have learned many lessons in our 12+ year journey together down Dementia Road. Our mission is to help caregivers and families who have been changed by Alzheimer's disease. We share our experiences on how we both eventually rediscovered joy and gained a peace that passes all understanding, all while dealing with our lifes greatest challenge.

  1. Episode 1

    EP 1 So you can Survive Alzheimer's ? - an introduction

    Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast In this  first episode I will give you some of background information and introduce you to the people that this podcast is about. I'll also introduce you to how we have survived Alzheimer's disease so far. It's my hope that you'll be able to connect with us, thus, be able to relate your experiences to ours in doing this. I hope that you can learn from our experiences. Why did I decide to do this podcast? It's about you. I wanted to help you in dealing with your loved one's dementia. I've learned a lot of things along the way here. A lot of it was the hard way, and I hope that some of the things that I've picked up along the way may be of use to you. About a year and a half ago, when I finally decided to move Shanna to a memory care facility after I couldn't take care of her anymore, I had done it for four years, 24 /7. I decided to get some grief counseling. I took grief counseling sessions for about nine months. And one of the things that she taught me was that as we help other people with the things that we have struggled with, we heal. And I have learned that along the way, I've dealt with caregiver burnout, we survived the COVID pandemic together. The decision to put her in memory care was probably the hardest thing I've ever done. And then once she was there after almost a year, I made another tough decision to move her to a better facility. And that turned out really good. But watching my wife go through all of the stages of the disease and all of the challenges that it brought, both of us was a very interesting experience.  This disease has brought my wife and I closer than ever together in the last four or five years. Tremendous things have changed all for the better, even while we're struggling with the disease. And this is our story. My hope is in telling our story, it'll be helpful to you, and you'll be able to face your own challenges with a degree of hope and be able to find peace. Like I have found.  So how does one survive alzheimer's? As you probably know, Alzheimer's is a fatal disease, but what do I mean by surviving it? Well, I looked up in the dictionary what the word survival means, and some of the things that I really liked was it means to remain or to continue in existence. How do I continue to live as I watch the person I love the most in my life slowly fade away? How do I get along or remain healthy, happy and unaffected in spite of some circumstances? That's another definition of survive. That's what I mean by surviving Alzheimer's I will tell you how my wife has dealt with this in episodes to come and how I dealt with it. Well, thanks for listening and be sure to follow the surviving Alzheimer's podcast. The surviving. Alzheimer's. Podcast is brought to you by Ascending Minds, LLC. Link to “The Surviving Alzheimer’s Podcast” Facebook page.   30k dl and upcoming webinar Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions    Visit the  Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)        to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ... Visit  the Podcast Facebook page

    12 min

  2. Episode 2

    EP 2 Life before Dementia ... were there early clues ?

    Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Surviving Alzheimer's: Reflections on Early Signs and Coping Strategies In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's podcast, host Ken Cardita shares his journey alongside his wife, Shanna, who has been battling Alzheimer's disease. He reflects on their early life together, identifying initial signs of cognitive decline, and the crucial lessons learned during their journey. The podcast delves into the importance of selecting the right medical support, dealing with emotional triggers and caregiver challenges, and highlights the role of faith and open communication in their continued resilience. Ken also emphasizes the value of hindsight and offers advice for those starting their caregiving journey. 00:00 Introduction to the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast 00:32 Early Signs and Reflections 01:00 Life Before Alzheimer's 03:06 Challenges and Changes in the 1990s 04:23 The 2000s: Family and Personal Growth 10:10 Early Cognitive Struggles 13:00 The First Neurologist Visit 17:17 Lessons Learned and Advice 23:17 Emotional Journey and Faith 25:27 Conclusion and Next Steps 30k dl and upcoming webinar Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions    Visit the  Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)        to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ... Visit  the Podcast Facebook page

    30 min

  3. Episode 3

    EP 3 What do you mean I should not Drive? - Dealing with Denial

    Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Navigating Denial and Driving: A Caregiver's Journey In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's podcast, host Ken Cardita recounts his personal experiences dealing with denial and the challenges of getting his wife, Shanna, to stop driving once it was no longer safe for her to drive. He shares valuable insights and resources for caregivers, emphasizing the importance of overcoming denial, being proactive, and finding support. Ken also offers practical tips on how to handle the sensitive issue of driving with a loved one who has Alzheimer's, as well as highlighting the role of denial as a coping mechanism. 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 00:40 Episode Overview: Dealing with Denial 01:20 Personal Journey: Early Signs and Diagnosis 04:03 Understanding Denial in Dementia 09:31 Shanna's Driving Struggles 17:34 Caregiver Tips and Resources 23:07 Recap and Closing Thoughts 24:34 Next Episode Preview and Final Remarks Online Resources that were helpful  for Ken early on                    o   www.alz.org – The Alzheimer’s Association                    o   www.TeepaSnow.com     - Teepa Snow – A positive approach to care                    o   www.CareBlazers.com  -  Dr. Natale Edmunds careblazer program and facebook group 30k dl and upcoming webinar Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions    Visit the  Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)        to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ... Visit  the Podcast Facebook page

    28 min

  4. Episode 4

    EP 4 Experiencing Mild/Early stage Alzheimer's and we didn't know we were there !

    Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Navigating Early Stage Alzheimer's: Personal Reflections and Advice In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's podcast, host Ken Cardita delves into his personal experiences during the early stages of his wife Shanna's Alzheimer's diagnosis. Ken recounts the emotional challenges and adjustments needed to manage caregiving duties effectively. He discusses common symptoms such as repeated questioning, short-term memory loss, and poor judgment, and shares coping strategies and lessons learned. The episode emphasizes the importance of patience, adaptability, and seeking support for caregivers while navigating the complexities of Alzheimer's disease. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:54 Understanding the Journey 02:15 Early Stages of Alzheimer's 04:30 Challenges and Adjustments 08:24 Social Interactions and Coping 16:06 Dealing with Anger and Fear 21:02 Seeking Support and Self-Care 23:51 Conclusion and Next Steps 30k dl and upcoming webinar Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions    Visit the  Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)        to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ... Visit  the Podcast Facebook page

    30 min

  5. Episode 5

    EP 5 Diagnosis of Alzheimer's - Now What ? ... but I don't feel like I have Alzheimer's

    Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Navigating Diagnosis and Acceptance: A Journey through Moderate Alzheimer's In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's podcast, host Ken Cardita delves into 2016, a pivotal year in his 12-year journey with his wife Shanna's Alzheimer's. Ken shares the challenges of undiagnosed moderate Alzheimer's, the life upheaval from early retirement, and the financial planning that shaped his transition to a full-time caregiver. He recounts the stress and realizations during their downsizing move, and details Shanna's cognitive assessments leading to her official Alzheimer's diagnosis. Ken offers insights on embracing caregiving, fostering acceptance, and the profound lessons learned through their experiences. He highlights the importance of community support, both from family and friends, and encourages listeners to share the podcast to help others on their own dementia journeys. 00:00 Introduction and Recap 00:59 The Diagnosis Journey Begins 01:42 Life Changes and Financial Planning 03:34 Downsizing and Moving Challenges 07:44 Medical Evaluations and Diagnosis 12:56 Coping with the Diagnosis 16:45 Sharing the News with Family and Friends 20:01 Lessons Learned as a Caregiver 24:44 Final Thoughts and Next Episode Preview 30k dl and upcoming webinar Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions    Visit the  Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)        to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ... Visit  the Podcast Facebook page

    30 min

  6. Episode 6

    EP 6 I have Grieved 1000 losses - Thoughts on Grief, Guilt and Ambiguous Loss

    Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast EP 6  I have Grieved 100 Losses .. Thoughts on Grief, Guilt, and Ambiguous Loss as a Dementia Caregiver In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer’s podcast, host Ken Cardita shares his personal journey of caregiving for his wife Shanna, who has Alzheimer's. Ken delves into the complex emotions of grief, guilt, and ambiguous loss that caregivers often face. By reflecting on his own experiences, he provides insights and strategies on how to manage these emotions healthily. Ken emphasizes the importance of seeking support and maintaining a perspective that focuses on the quality of time spent with loved ones. He also highlights how accepting and understanding ambiguous loss can help in finding peace amidst the challenges of caregiving. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections 00:44 Today's Episode: Grief, Guilt, and Ambiguous Loss 01:25 Understanding and Managing Grief 07:49 Dealing with Guilt as a Caregiver 21:04 Ambiguous Loss: A Unique Caregiving Challenge 27:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 28:48 Next Week's Episode and Closing Remarks 30k dl and upcoming webinar Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions    Visit the  Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)        to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ... Visit  the Podcast Facebook page

    32 min

  7. Episode 7

    EP 7 Moderate Alzheimer's - Full Time Caregiver at Home

    Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Moderate Stage of Alzheimer's: A Caregiver's Journey In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer’s podcast, host Ken Cardita shares his experiences and lessons learned while caring for his wife Shanna at home during the moderate stage of Alzheimer's. Ken discusses various challenges encountered, such as increased memory loss, language difficulties, and handling unexpected outbursts. He highlights the importance of adapting as a caregiver, the value of physical activity, and the impact of maintaining social connections. Ken also reflects on personal growth achieved through journaling and mentoring. Listener feedback and upcoming topics are also covered. 00:00 Introduction and Purpose 00:28 Podcast Overview and Listener Feedback 00:59 Moderate Stage Alzheimer's: Personal Experiences 04:28 Challenges and Coping Strategies 15:02 Journal Reflections and Personal Growth 22:58 Conclusion and Future Episodes 30k dl and upcoming webinar Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions    Visit the  Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)        to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ... Visit  the Podcast Facebook page

    27 min

  8. Episode 8

    EP 8 - Leading the Care Team

    Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Leading Your Caregiving Team: Insights and Experiences In this episode, the Ken draws an analogy between the role of a football quarterback and that of a primary caregiver in managing the needs of a loved one with dementia. He provides an overview of the different aspects involved in leading a caregiving team, sharing personal experiences of assembling 'Team Shanna'—a support network comprising medical professionals, financial and legal advisors, friends, family, and caregivers. The episode also includes a poignant story about a friend's sudden need to assemble a caregiving team for his wife while dealing with his own serious health issues. Listener comments and appreciation are acknowledged, and the episode concludes with advice on accepting help, discussing caregiver burnout, and encouraging listeners to share their own experiences. 00:00 Introduction: The Caregiver as a Quarterback 01:25 Building Team Shanna: Medical and Emotional Support 02:25 Listener Shoutout and Podcast Interaction 03:43 Medical Journey: Finding the Right Care 07:20 Financial and Legal Support for Caregiving 07:58 The Role of Professional Caregivers 09:32 Emotional and Spiritual Support Network 12:07 A Friend's Story: Caregiving and Personal Health 21:36 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts Link to post a comment on this episode  30k dl and upcoming webinar Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions    Visit the  Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)        to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ... Visit  the Podcast Facebook page

    28 min
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4.8
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

This podcast is the story of Ken and Shanna, a married couple who's lives have been forever changed (for the better) because we have learned to live with and ultimately Survive Alzheimer's disease. We have learned many lessons in our 12+ year journey together down Dementia Road. Our mission is to help caregivers and families who have been changed by Alzheimer's disease. We share our experiences on how we both eventually rediscovered joy and gained a peace that passes all understanding, all while dealing with our lifes greatest challenge.

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