Hello Alzheimer’s

New Year, New Hope: Reorganizing Your Life, Despite Dementia

Happy New Year! Please enjoy this special -- honestly, perfect for the new year -- encore conversation.
Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Joan Palmquist about the practical and personal benefits of decluttering and downsizing during the dementia journey.
Joan's a retired marketing researcher who studied both journalism and law. And while that's impressive, Joan's current LinkedIn profile describes her most brilliant and rewarding work yet: "Volunteer Extraordinaire at Various Nonprofit organizations." Most importantly, Joan brings her own wealth of wisdom and empathy after caring for her beloved mom during her Alzheimer's journey.
Two quick notes: 1., Yes, decluttering and downsizing during dementia. We promise this advice benefits everyone but, perhaps especially, those affected by Alzheimer's or other dementia. And 2., Though it's spelled "Joan," it's pronounced Joanne.
Please enjoy the conversation. Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions: Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com. And please know... You're not alone.

Christmas Encore: 'Vibrant Living' Despite Dementia (and the Gift of Mental Health)

On this holiday of connection, we share an encore conversation that we hope brings comfort, peace... even joy. Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate. Please know today and every day... You are not alone.
Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Tamara Statz, a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Vibrant Living.
Tamara delivers needed perspective -- and guidance -- for families on the Alzheimer's and other dementia journey. Karla also throws Tamara some of those uncomfortable but familiar questions families may face related to finances, family dynamics and communication.
Please reach out to Karla at Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com if you need help finding a mental health expert to walk alongside you, your family or someone you know on the Alzheimer's and other dementia journey. And again, friends, you are not alone. Hugs on this day and always.

Kelly Grosklags: Holidays, Grief and Dementia

In this special, perfectly timed holiday conversation, Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with dear friend and returning guest, Kelly Grosklags, the world-renowned speaker, therapist, author, creator and host of the public healing forum, Conversations With Kelly.
In THIS conversation with Kelly, Karla and Kelly talk about grief during the holidays and (especially) during and after the Alzheimer's or other dementia marathon. 
Please trust us: This conversation will give you the emotional support you need during this season of so many emotions, along with the practical advice you need if dementia will also be a guest during your celebrations (think preferred activities, even a gift guide). Yes, please enjoy every meaningful word.
By the way... If you're enjoying this content, please like, review and subscribe to "Hello Alzheimer's." Your support remains a gift.
And writing of gifts...
* Support for this episode comes from AARP. AARP Minnesota helped give all Minnesotans the gift of paid leave. And now AARP Minnesota wants to help you prepare for what paid leave could mean for you and your loved ones, because caregivers shouldn't have to choose between a paycheck and taking care of themselves or a loved one. Starting in 2026, Minnesota's new Paid Family and Medical Leave program will offer another tool to help. And that means when you need time off to care for family, you can get part of your pay and your job will be there when you return. Please learn more at AARP.org/MNPaidLeave. Thank you, AARP, for helping give this gift for every season of life.

Tia Delaney-Stewart: Addressing the Dementia Divide

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Tia Delaney-Stewart, MSN-Ed,  RN, PHN, CCM. Tia holds many titles, including: 
Executive Director, Eyes of Love Nursing: Health Committee Chair,National Action Network - LA; 
LA County Commissioner (District 2) - Hospital & Healthcare Delivery Systems;
Public Relations Chair,Council of Black Nurses - LA;
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,Alzheimer's Association, California Southland;
Community Advisory Board,Merv Dymally Institute - CSUDH;
And Health Committee Chair,NAACP- Inglewood/Southbay Chapter. 
Clearly, there's no better leader to talk about the persistent divide in dementia. Reminder: According to the Alzheimer's Association, Black Americans are twice as likely as older White Americans to have Alzheimer's or another dementia.
During this conversation, Tia refers to the positive impact of healthy behavior on brain health, as concluded in the U.S. POINTER study. She also addresses the ALZBrainTrust initiative and related hope for improving equity.
Trust us, you do NOT want to miss Tia's wisdom, eloquence and inspiration.
* Support for this episode comes from AARP. AARP Minnesota helped give all Minnesotans the gift of paid leave. And now AARP Minnesota wants to help you prepare for what paid leave could mean for you and your loved ones, because caregivers shouldn't have to choose between a paycheck and taking care of themselves or a loved one. Starting in 2026, Minnesota's new Paid Family and Medical Leave program will offer another tool to help. And that means when you need time off to care for family, you can get part of your pay and your job will be there when you return. Please learn more at AARP.org/MNPaidLeave. Thank you, AARP, for helping give this gift for every season of life.

Dr. Ron Petersen: A New Tool to Predict Dementia

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Dr. Ron Petersen, the world-renowned neurologist and director of both the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. And while ANY conversation with "Dr. Ron" is rewarding, this one covers a new tool that can estimate a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease years before symptoms appear. 
Dr. Ron walks us through how Mayo Clinic scientists developed the tool based on decades of data from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. And he also shares more about how this tool will help everyone reduce their risk of developing dementia.
During the conversation, Dr. Ron references lifestyle factors that can help reduce a person's risk of developing dementia. You can learn more about the POINTER recommendations in this AARP article.
And writing of AARP: Support for this episode comes from AARP. AARP Minnesota helped give all Minnesotans the gift of paid leave. Even better, AARP Minnesota wants to help you prepare for what paid leave could mean for you and your loved ones, because caregivers shouldn't have to choose between a paycheck and taking care of themselves or a loved one. Starting in 2026, Minnesota's new Paid Family and Medical Leave program will be here to help. And that means when you need time off to care for family, you can get part of your pay and your job will be there when you return. Please learn more at AARP.org/MNPaidLeave. Thank you, AARP, for helping give this gift for every season of life.

Encore: The Power of Music During the Dementia Marathon

Happy Thanksgiving! During this encore conversation, we explain why you should turn on the music during any holiday gathering. 
Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Debbie Richman, a courageous leader, educator and advocate when it comes to Alzheimer's and other dementia care. Debbie started her career as a music therapist and is still bridging the dementia divide with music as the Artistic Director of a Giving Voice Chorus. 
This conversation touches on both the scientific reasons why (and how) music helps ourselves or our loved ones remember... AND options for finding the hidden song in all of us.
You can click here to learn more about Giving Voice. As always, you can also reach out to us, at: Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com. Yes, we still welcome your support -- in the form of following this podcast and through your reviews and word of mouth.
And finally on this holiday and every day, please know: You are not alone.

Schele Williams and Molly McMillen: Alzheimer's, Love & Hope in 'The Notebook'

In a powerful conversation, Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Schele Williams, co-director of The Notebook, the Musical, and Molly McMillen, the Vice President of Marketing and Communications of the Alzheimer's Association, MN-ND Chapter.
The trio tackle the poignant new production of the beloved romance -- complete with a cast that better represents our greater community and the beautiful, complex characters of "Allie" and "Noah." They also address how dementia is increasingly showing up in many art forms and diverse platforms -- including Hollywood -- all of which provides affirmation and potential for greater outreach and support.
And Schele courageously shares from her heart, as a daughter walking alongside her parents... and especially, her mom, who's living with Alzheimer's disease.
Please enjoy every wise word of these beautiful guests. And please forgive Karla's raspy voice at the very beginning and end of this episode. :)
More importantly: For information on how to get tickets to The Notebook, The Musical at The Ordway in Minnesota, you can just click here. You can learn more about all the other dates and cities on the show's North American Tour here.
Most importantly: The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline is 1-800-272-3900. You can also always email Karla, at: Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com.
Finally... A heartfelt thank you to our sponsor for this episode: Starkey. The team behind this company continues to help all of us hear better, live better - and now more than ever - through Omega AI, the most advanced hearing technology to date. Omega A-I hearing aids can transform the listening experience for people worldwide given its improved sound quality… hardware durability and tools to protect our overall health – all of which help people connect to the world around them.Please go to Starkey.com to learn more about how you, too, can hear better, live better.

Brennan Vance: 'How to Care'

Hello Alzheimer's host, Karla Hult, talks with Brennan Vance, filmmaker and force behind the phenomenal new documentary, How to Care. The 22-minute, 26-second film covers the most critical details related to caregiving: The selfless people who courageously sign up to care; the beautiful people who meet them in this care partnership; and the caregiving crisis, complete with inadequate compensation.
To say watching this film is the best 22 minutes, 26 seconds you'll spend all week is an understatement. We encourage you to watch... and then listen to this (a bit longer than usual) conversation with Brennan, who brings both his talents and heart to his work... Because it just so happens Brennan also offers a "Voices of Dementia" perspective, given he lost his own father, Thomas Vance, to frontotemporal dementia in 2017. 
Again, you can watch How to Care here or on Twin Cities PBS. Brennan also recommends a unique self-care column, called the Care Collective with Kelsey Peterson. 
Please enjoy... and please know... You are not alone.

Rachael Dashiell: How Animals Can Help During the Dementia Marathon

Hello Alzheimer's host, Karla Hult, talks with Rachael Dashiell, the Community Programs Manager at the Animal Humane Society. Rachael recently launched a fabulous new program, Coffee & Companions, which brings together aging adults and animals.
And that program leads Rachael and Karla into a conversation about all the cognitive and other health benefits of animals to any person, let alone anyone living with dementia. 
The research proving those benefits is vast: From the more anecdotal evidence at England's Alzheimer's Society or our own Alzheimer's Association, to more nuanced research appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association. As mentioned during this conversation, please feel free to email Karla, at: Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com -- if you'd like to talk about this research and what it represents (Karla has literally "geeked out" on this subject, given her commitment to both animals and people living with dementia).
Again, if you'd also like to learn more about Coffee & Companions, you can either visit their website or call them, at: 763-489-2220.
And please remember to review and subscribe to "Hello Alzheimer's" if you're enjoying this content, as your support does make a difference.
Thank you, friends, and please know... You're not alone.

Maren Levad: Our Youngest 'Dementia Friends'

Hello Alzheimer's host, Karla Hult, talks with Maren Levad, the Dementia Friendly Initiatives Program Manager at Trellis, the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging.
Maren shares about an amazing new Dementia Friends program -- one that helps younger children (kindergarten through 2nd grade) learn more about how to cope and even help during the dementia marathon. And they do so by modifying the curriculum of the proven Dementia Friends program.
Listeners may recognize "Dementia Friends" from one of our earlier episodes, featuring Colleen Fritsch, the Volunteer Dementia Friends Champion Coordinator. Again, this phenomenal curriculum has been adapted to be accessible, comfortable, safe and overall age-appropriate for our kiddos. This new program can also inspire outreach throughout the country, beginning with conversations in a child's own home. 
During this conversation, Maren mentions the beautiful children's book, The Remember Balloons. The University of Pennsylvania's Penn Memory Center also offers a list of dementia children's books they recommend; and the Alzheimer's Association has also curated an excellent list.
A humble reminder to please like, share and subscribe to "Hello Alzheimer's" if you're enjoying these conversations. We're grateful for your support, and want to remind you... You're not alone.