Hello Alzheimer’s

Michael Ellenbogen: 'From the Corner Office to Alzheimer's'

In this encore episode, Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Michael Ellenbogen. Michael is a husband, father and former high-powered network operations manager for a Fortune 500 financial institution. And Michael -- a self-described "bulldozer of dementia" -- is also a fierce and tireless international advocate of those living with dementia. And that group includes Michael himself.
Michael's journey began at the excruciatingly young age of 39 with his first diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease coming a full decade later. And while doctors remain uncertain what -- or even how many -- form(s) of dementia Michael may have, Michael is focused on all he can do right now to improve the lives of everyone living with dementia, their families and our communities. He serves on boards, advises organizations, testified before Congress, and even addressed the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.
To say this is a "must listen to" episode in our "Voices of Dementia" series is an understatement. Because Michael simultaneously charms and challenges... showing us all how we can use our own unique voice of dementia.
For more of Michael's powerful perspective, you can check out his book: From the Corner Office to Alzheimer's.
Michael also mentioned his favorite Alzheimer's- or dementia-related organization is UsAgainstAlzheimer's.
As always, you can reach out to us if you questions or topics you'd like us to consider: Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com. And please like, review, share and subscribe to "Hello Alzheimer's." We remain so grateful for your support.

Kelly Grosklags: Dementia, Grief, and YOUR Questions

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks again with Kelly Grosklags, international speaker, therapist and author. This time, Kelly answers YOUR grief-related questions related to the Alzheimer's and other dementia journey.
As a reminder: Kelly brings compassion, empathy and education to every conversation about grief, by drawing upon her own profound loss as a child and decades of walking alongside families and individuals experiencing their own grief. She's a Board-Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work, holds fellowships and has published podcasts, blogs and books. Kelly has also created the public healing forum, "Conversations with Kelly."
In this conversation with Kelly, Kelly answers your questions about the unique grief that accompanies everyone on the Alzheimer's or other dementia journey as we say So Many Goodbyes. You can also listen to our first conversation with Kelly here. 
As mentioned, there are a lot of wonderful articles and studies regarding brain health, including this short article from the Mayo Clinic, this one from the Alzheimer's Association and another from Harvard University.
As always, if you are enjoying Hello Alzheimer's, please provide a review and subscribe. We SO appreciate your support.

Kelly Grosklags: Living With Grief During Dementia

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Kelly Grosklags, international speaker, therapist and author.
Kelly brings compassion, empathy and education to every conversation about grief, by drawing upon her own profound loss as a child and decades of walking alongside families and individuals experiencing their own grief. She's a Board-Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work, holds fellowships and has published podcasts, blogs and books. Kelly has also created the public healing forum, "Conversations with Kelly."
In THIS conversation with Kelly, Kelly and Karla talk about the unique grief that accompanies everyone on the Alzheimer's or other dementia journey as we say So Many Goodbyes. 
Please enjoy this first conversation with Kelly. And yes, we invite you to send us your grief-related questions for Kelly for our next conversation. You can simply email Karla, at: Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com.
As always, if you are enjoying Hello Alzheimer's, please provide a review and subscribe. We SO appreciate your support.

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. But Kanada continues to inspire, saying "It's sad... But my life is good."
Please reach out if you have questions, requests for other episode conversations or if you need support: Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com. And please remember, you are not alone.

The Blood Test Breakthrough (when it comes to diagnosing Alzheimer's disease)

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.

Family Dynamics During the Dementia Marathon

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 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.

"What Happened to PopPop?" Children & Dementia

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.

Dementia-Friendly Dental Care

Hello Alzheimer’s host Karla Hult talks with Stephen Shuman, DDS, MS, Professor and Director of the Division of Hospital and Special Care Dentistry and the Oral Health Services for Older Adults Program at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. The two discuss a new, online training course that represents a milestone in overall care for those living with dementia: Creating a Dementia-Friendly Dental Practice: An In-depth Training Program.
As Dr. Shuman explains, the course – like the overarching wisdom inspiring this curriculum – addresses the nature and challenges of all forms of dementia and how dental professionals, students and academic institutions throughout the world can adapt to meet the needs of patients living with dementia.
We promise… every person with even a distant connection to dementia – and that’s frankly ALL of us – will benefit from learning about this unique opportunity to make this critical part of health care more “dementia friendly.” To register or learn more about the course, just click here.
As always, if you’re enjoying this content, please review, share and subscribe to “Hello Alzheimer’s.” We’re so grateful for your support. You can also email us with questions or suggestions: Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com 

Cue the Music: The Proven Benefits of Music for People Living with Dementia

Hello Alzheimer’s host Karla Hult talks with Andrea Leap, a “Music for Life” teacher at MacPhail Center for Music and Ann Schrempp, the Dimensions Program Coordinator at Ebenezer Foundation (which runs communities for aging adults in several states).
The trio discuss how a partnership between MacPhail and Ebenezer represents a musical mission. More specifically, Ann and Andrea share about the emotional, practical and, yes, cognitive benefits of bringing music into the lives of aging adults.
To learn more about the MacPhail Music for Life program click here. You can also learn more about Ebenezer’s Dimensions Memory Care program here.
As mentioned, Northwestern Medicine published an article on the benefits of music on people living with dementia in July 2022. The Pacific Neuroscience Institute shared similar findings in a September 2023 report. And of course, the Alzheimer’s Association offers an excellent and practical overview of how to unlock the benefits of music during the dementia marathon.
As always, please reach out with questions or suggestions for future conversations. Please also consider leaving a review on “Hello Alzheimer’s” – we are grateful for your support. And above all, please remember you’re not alone.
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Mary Frances Prices: Preparing Yourself -- Legally & Financially -- for the Dementia Marathon

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Elder Law Attorney Mary Frances Price, a founding member of Bravura Group. Together, the two tackle all those daunting legal and financial questions, documents and overall next steps families and individuals want to address when they believe their Alzheimer's or other dementia journey has begun.
You can learn more about the documents and recommended "next steps" at this Alzheimers.gov website or at the National Institute on Aging website. The Alzheimer's Association also provides several resources -- including a free e-learning workshop -- here. 
NOTE: This is the third episode in an ongoing series dedicated to answering the question families may have when they first suspect they've started the Alzheimer's or other dementia journey: "What do we do now?" Please check out previous conversations for more insights and information. And please reach out if you have any questions or need support: Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com