Hello Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer's Awareness Month Meets Native American Heritage Month

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with two leaders at the Alzheimer's Association, Minnesota-North Dakota chapter, about another glaring gap in our greater community: the high rate of dementia in the Native American community.
Nassise Geleta, Senior Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Jenna Pogorels, Associate Director of Community Services, Northern Minnesota, address the startling statistics and current outreach. Karla also reviews what the latest research suggests is behind this disparity. To learn more about a Nov. 20 Alzheimer's Association presentation on dementia in the Native American community just click here. 
This conversation also gives helpful advice (and humble encouragement) ahead of your Thanksgiving gatherings.

Debbie Richman: Bridging the Dementia Divide with Music

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.
 

'Tis the season: Myrna Marofsky returns for a conversation about holiday care-living

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Myrna Marofsky, author of To the Last Dance: A Partner's Story of Living and Loving through Dementia. The two reflect on how the holidays changed when dementia showed up as the uninvited guest. But both Myrna and Karla -- as a loving partner and a loving daughter, respectively -- also shared how they stumbled upon the most important survival strategy of them all: Looking for the joy that still exists in the quieter moments... what Myrna calls "Scrapbook Moments."
This conversation will make you laugh, cry and, most importantly, learn, as Karla also shares some valuable advice from the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association. Truly... it's possible to find joy during the holidays, despite Alzheimer's or other dementia.
 

Dr. Alicia Algeciras-Schimnich: The hope of a new diagnostic tool... Blood tests

Hello Alzheimer’s host Karla Hult talks with Dr. Alicia Algeciras-Schimnich, Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, about all those new Alzheimer’s blood tests.
Dr. Algeciras-Schimnich addresses every aspect of this exciting new diagnostic tool: From how the blood tests work, to who should be tested, to why the blood tests may also play a critical role in developing more Alzheimer’s treatments.
Honestly, if you’ve missed some of these developments – or simply felt intimidated by the science – you’re not alone. But this conversation with one of the world’s top Laboratory Medicine and Pathology experts will demystify the medicine while also explaining why this development should give all of us… Hope.

Kanada Yazbek on Living with MCI: "It's sad... But my life is good."

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Kanada Yazbek, the 2024 Alzheimer's Impact Movement Advocate of the Year.
Kanada's courage knows no bounds: She fights for her extended Alzheimer's and other dementia family, for families like hers and even, for herself. At only age 41, doctors diagnosed Kanada with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Now 50, Kanada believes she's the 7th person in her family to live with Early-Onset Alzheimer's. 
This conversation will indeed inform, inspire and affirm each of us... none of us is alone. After all, Kanada herself believes her diagnosis may be "sad... But my life is good."

An Update from Karla Hult, AND An Encore of the Hello Alzheimer's Trailer

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult shares some exciting updates about the podcast, including a new release day (new episodes will drop on Thursday, starting next week). And nearly two months into this mission, Karla shares again her "why."
As always, please like, comment and subscribe if you believe in the value of this outreach. And by all means, please feel free to simply tell those who could benefit from joining this conversation. After all, we continue to hope this conversation informs, inspires and affirms each of us... none of us is alone.

An Investment in Our Future: Sue Parriott on a Pair of Promising Laws

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Susan Parriott, the Chief Executive Officer/Regional Vice President of the Alzheimer's Association, Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter. Sue shares more about this week's big news in the fight against Alzheimer's and other dementia: The bipartisan NAPA (National Alzheimer's Project Act) Reauthorization Act *and* the Alzheimer's Investment Act have both been signed into law!
We PROMISE this conversation will appeal to more than just policy wonks. It will inform, inspire and affirm... ALL of us.

Dr. Robyn Birkeland: Bridging the Family Dementia Divide

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Dr. Robyn Birkeland, a study interventionist and coach at the University of Minnesota's Families and Long-Term Care Projects team.
The conversation covers quite the spectrum of what happens to nearly all families during the dementia journey: From contending with communication challenges, to navigating local versus out-of-town logistics, to dealing with a history of complicated family dynamics. 
Most importantly, listeners will learn strategies and perspectives that will help them cope and find peace within their family and throughout the dementia journey.

Dr. Ron Petersen: How to (at least try to) prevent Alzheimer's and other dementia

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with the one and only Dr. Ron Petersen of the Mayo Clinic about what WE can do -- right now -- to help prevent Alzheimer's or other dementia, especially if we're more likely (due to family history) to develop the disease. Petersen weighs in on all the latest research about basic behavioral changes and steps we can take to reduce our risk, while also flagging for all of us what behaviors and even medications to avoid. 
Dr. Petersen refers to the AARP's Global Council on Brain Health during this conversation. You can learn more about this incredible resource here: https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/global-council-on-brain-health/

A Partner's Perspective: Myrna Marofsky on Redefining Caregiving to "Care-living"

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Myrna Marofsky, business consultant, entrepreneur and author of To The Last Dance: A Partner's Story of Living and Loving Through Dementia. As the book's title suggests, Myrna carved her own caregiving path after the diagnosis of her beloved husband, Larry. And just as fiercely as she loved Larry, she advocates for others... that they, too, may find opportunity to "care-live," even as they caregive.
To learn more about Myrna's book -- and her background (she's a proud mother and grandmother, too) -- just go to: myrnamarofsky.com