Hello Alzheimer’s

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.

Frontotemporal Dementia: From Bruce to Gary, 'FUB' Happens

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Nanci Anderson, Co-Founder of Gary's FUB Team and Ambassador for the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. 
Nanci shares about her life mission to educate the greater community about FTD while also uplifting families and individuals on the FTD journey today... all in honor of her beloved husband, Gary. 
Trust us: this conversation is part advice, part love story and ALL parts profound, given it helps shed light on a lesser-known cause of dementia. And yes, this is the same dementia that has changed the life of Bruce Willis and his family.
As mentioned during the conversation, you can learn more about FTD and the available resources during the FTD or any dementia marathon by reaching out to the following: 
* The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration;
* Nanci Anderson, at: nanderson@theaftd.org  or garysfubteam@gmail.com;
* Alzheimer's Association Helpline: 1-800-272-3900;
* Karla, at: Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com.
P.S. If you're wondering what the 'FUB' refers to, you simply need to listen to this conversation. 

Dr. Madeline Cross: Women & Dementia (A Perfectly-Timed Encore)

Yes! We're returning to this conversation, because we think it's THAT important AND because we want to make sure everyone is caught up on all the wonderful "Hello Alzheimer's" episodes from the last few months. So please enjoy... and please make memories and find moments this week. As always, you're not alone...
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If you've ever wondered what's behind the "Alzheimer's gender gap," then this conversation is for you... Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Dr. Madeline Cross, a neurologist at HealthPartners. Dr. Cross covers why women are especially vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease, touching on the most popular theories related to hormones, the immune system and social factors. And, most importantly, Dr. Cross shares more about the hope that exists -- both in terms of research and preventative actions we can ALL take to reduce our risk of later developing dementia.
This conversation references other dementia disparities, related to communities of color. You can learn more about those glaring gaps in previous conversations with Dr. Shekinah Fashaw-Walters, Trish Cook and Robbin Frazier. 
And as promised, here are a few of Karla's favorite community resources for those on the journey today: The Alzheimer's Association, especially their 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900); Memory Cafes; and your local Area Agency on Aging.
If you're enjoying this content, please like, review, share and subscribe. We so appreciate your support! 

Brian McDonald: Rocket Scientist + Med School = Compassionate Caregiver

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Brian McDonald, President of SYNERGY HomeCare of Northeast Metro, Twin Cities, Minnesota. 
We know EVERY care partner -- whether family/personal or professional -- is doing the most important "work" in our world by walking alongside those living with Alzheimer's or other dementia. And while we can learn from each and every one of those caregivers, Brian brings a unique perspective... Because yes, he's a retired rocket scientist who also managed a couple years of medical school and working at Medtronic BEFORE he answered the calling to become a caregiver.
Prestigious positions and degrees aside, Brian says he discovered his commitment to his current mission after his own caregiving journey.
This conversation delivers exactly what you'd expect from a person who often jokes he's the most “compassionate Rocket Scientist you’ll ever meet:" practical advice, heartfelt wisdom and empathy.
As always, please reach out to Karla if you have questions or suggestions for future conversations: Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com. Please also like, review, share and subscribe to "Hello Alzheimer's" if you're enjoying this content. We truly value your support. And please know... You're not alone.

Tamara Statz: Advice for EVERYONE Connected to Dementia

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks again with Tamara Statz, a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Vibrant Living Senior Services. This time, Karla draws upon her recent role at the Walk to End Alzheimer's -- where we all hold flowers representing our connection to dementia -- to ask Tamara for her specific advice for each "role" related to dementia: the primary care partner, the adult child who's also a care partner, the courageous person living with dementia and members of the greater community who want to support a family or individual during the dementia marathon.
This conversation is packed with powerful advice... for everyone.
As always, you can reach out to Karla with questions or suggestions for other topics we cover: Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com.
We also encourage you to please subscribe and review "Hello Alzheimer's." Thank you for your support!
And finally and above all, please remember: You are not alone.

The Walk to End Alzheimer's: Finding Empathy & Joy in Community

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Jennifer Hendrickson, Director of the Walk to End Alzheimer's, Twin Cities. Of the 600 walks throughout the country, the Twin Cities walk is one of the largest (typically in the top three). Jennifer shares how she works year-round to prepare for the powerful morning, and what -- or who -- inspires her commitment. 
The conversation also addresses how the Alzheimer's Association allocates the money raised during its largest fundraiser of the year (hint: it benefits all of us). Jennifer also shines light on all we can expect from this year's incredible celebration.
And Karla weighs in on why this walk -- or simply connecting with her extended Alzheimer's and other dementia family -- has meant so much to her family, even after her dad, Uncle Bill, Aunt MaryJean, Uncle Dick and Grandpa Hult all finished their Alzheimer's marathons. 
To learn more about participating or supporting a walk (or team) near you, just go to: alz.org/walk.
Jennifer and Karla also mention the Alzheimer's Association Helpline during this conversation. That number is: 1-800-272-3900.
As always, you can reach out to Karla with questions: Karla@SoManyGoodbyes.com. And please consider leaving a review and subscribing to "Hello Alzheimer's." Your support does make a difference.