Hello Alzheimer’s

Hearing Loss and Dementia: PART II, What the Science Says (and what that means for YOU))

In the second part of a conversation you'll want to savor and share, Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks again with Dave Fabry, Ph.D., the Chief Hearing Health Officer at Starkey. This conversation dives into the latest research related to hearing loss and the development of dementia, including the landmark Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders, or ACHIEVE, study. And Karla and Dave both humbly reflect on the options available for everyone experiencing hearing loss, including -- or maybe, especially -- those also touched by Alzheimer's or other dementia.

Hearing Loss and Dementia: PART I, The "Life-Changing" Journey from Loss to Gain

In a conversation you'll want to savor and share, Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Dave Fabry, Ph.D., the Chief Hearing Health Officer at Starkey. Together, the two address the persistent stigma surrounding hearing loss and hearing aids. And together, the two reflect on Karla's own "life-changing" journey from hearing loss to hearing gains. Truly, if you or someone you know struggles to hear, you'll want to listen to Karla's humble, honest reflections about her history... and her recent revelations.
Best of all, ALL of this sets the table for a topic we'll further address next week: The latest research showing how hearing loss may cause -- not just correlate with -- the development of dementia. So please listen, pun intended, to the first of these two important conversations. 

New Year, New Hope: Dr. Michael Rosenbloom on the Latest Alzheimer's & Other Dementia Research

Happy New Year! In this encore episode of Hello Alzheimer's, host Karla Hult talks with world-renowned neurologist Dr. Michael Rosenbloom. "Dr. Mike" is the director of clinical trials at the University of Washington Medicine Memory and Brain Wellness Center in Seattle. He previously served as director of the HealthPartners Center for Memory and Aging in St. Paul, Minn.. And best of all, Dr. Mike's just a really good human who offers his take on this "Era of Hope" in Alzheimer's and other dementia research AND his advice for future doctors and families affected by this cruel disease. Truly, we could think of no better way to begin 2025 than by reflecting on our reasons for hope. Happy New Year, indeed. 

ENCORE: What do we do now (that our Alzheimer's or other dementia journey has begun)? Part I, Maren Levad

We're bringing back this important conversation, as we're still savoring the holiday season (when we're also possibly noticing changes in our loved ones). As always, please reach out if you have questions or need help finding resources.
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This is the first in a series of episodes dedicated to answering the question families may have immediately when they suspect they've started the dementia journey: What do we do now? In this conversation, Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Maren Levad. Maren is the Dementia Friendly Initiatives Program Manager for Trellis, which is the designated Area Agency on Aging for the Twin Cities (Minnesota) metro area. Translation: Maren is a force for good for anyone affected by any form of dementia.
To learn more about the programs and services available at Trellis, simply click here.

Holiday Hope and Resources for the Alzheimer's and other Dementia Family

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult shares a special holiday "conversation" featuring the latest concert of the fabulous Giving Voice Chorus. As a reminder, this chorus brings together people living with Alzheimer's or other dementia, their care partners, friends and volunteers to form the most beautiful music and community.
Karla also shares some of her favorite tools and resources available to families and individuals touched by dementia, including:
AARP and the Alzheimer's Association's Community Resource Finder,
Medicare's Care Comparison tool,
The Gathering at Lyngblomsten,
The Memory Cafe,
Area Agency on Aging,
Senior LinkAge Line: 800-333-2433,
The Alzheimer's Association, 24/7 Helpline: 800-272-3900.
You can also always reach out to Karla, at: Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com
Please remember you're not alone... Not during the holidays or any day. Happy Holidays, each of you. And a humble reminder to savor the simple moments of joy.

What do we do now (that our Alzheimer's or other dementia journey has begun)? Part II, Jennifer Bauernfeind

This is the second in a series of episodes dedicated to answering the question families may have immediately when they suspect they've started the dementia journey: What do we do now?
In this conversation, Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Jennifer Bauernfeind. Jennifer is a  a professional care partner who owns and operates Comfort Keepers, a caregiving agency. Jennifer's also just a kind and compassionate human... so the perfect person to speak about the challenges and benefits of finding the right professional care partner.
In this episode, Karla references AARP/Alzheimer's Association Community Resource Finder, Medicare's care comparison tool and, quite simply, care.com.
Please reach out to Karla at Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com if you need help navigating these tools or accessing other resources. And please know... You're not alone.

What do we do now (that our Alzheimer's or other dementia journey has begun)? Part I, Maren Levad

This is the first in a series of episodes dedicated to answering the question families may have immediately when they suspect they've started the dementia journey: What do we do now? In this conversation, Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Maren Levad. Maren is the Dementia Friendly Initiatives Program Manager for Trellis, which is the designated Area Agency on Aging for the Twin Cities (Minnesota) metro area. Translation: Maren is a force for good for anyone affected by any form of dementia.
To learn more about the programs and services available at Trellis, simply click here.

Encore: Myrna Marofsky Returns to Talk Holidays

Happy Thanksgiving! In this encore episode, 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. Sending everyone love and comfort on this holiday and always.
 

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.