Spotlight on Care: Alzheimer's Caregiving

Apr 11 2024 3
Spotlight on Care: Alzheimer's Caregiving Podcast artwork

Welcome to Spotlight on Care, the podcast where we share stories, experiences, tips and advice on caring for loved ones affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Spotlight on Care is produced by the University of California, Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, UCI MIND. Please subscribe to the Spotlight on Care podcast wherever you listen. For more information, visit mind.uci.edu. What would like to hear about next? Email us at [email protected].

RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


Supporting patients and families; a geriatrician’s perspective with Dr. Nathaniel Chin

Apr 11 2024 45 mins  
Virginia and Steve are joined by Nathaniel Chin, MD, a geriatrician, associate professor at the University of Wisconsin Department of Medicine, Medical Director of the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, and host and creator of the popular Dementia Matters podcast. Dr. Chin recounts how his father's Alzheimer's diagnosis and dementia journey inspired his c

Advances in Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Care with Ahmad Sajjadi MD,PhD

Feb 08 2024 36 mins  
Steve and Virginia sit down with Ahmad Sajjadi, MD, PhD, associate professor of Neurology at UC Irvine and research clinician at UCI MIND, to discuss some of the recent advances that have been made in Alzheimer’s disease research and care. He discusses the newly approved drugs, diagnostic tests and coverage of some of those tests, and care navigator programs.

Keeping the Holidays and Celebrations Happy, Healthy and Safe with Dr. Miriam Galindo

Dec 14 2023 34 mins  
Virginia and Steve speak with Dr. Galindo, who cared for her father with Alzheimer's disease and helps the listeners understand the importance of simplifying the holidays to maximize enjoyment for everyone. She gives tips on focusing on one or two traditions and recruiting help instead of trying to balance caregiving with all of the pressures of maintaining family traditions.

Cognitive testing with Dr. Michelle McDonnell

Dec 07 2023 31 mins  
Steve and Virginia are joined by Dr. Michelle McDonnell, a neuropsychologist at UCI MIND, who discusses the importance of cognitive testing. She discusses the process involved in the testing, tips to encourage your loved one to participate, and the benefits of tracking Alzheimers as it progresses.

Why you should start early with end of life wishes and details with Susan Papiri

Nov 16 2023 31 mins  
Susan Papiri, Community Relations Director for Dignity Memorial. She discusses involving loved ones earlier regarding their wishes, preferences and religious traditions. These conversations can give honor to their legacy and reduce family stress. If you are in the Orange County/San Diego area and wish to learn more about services offered, you can call their toll-free number at (949

The dangers of denial with Elizabeth Lonseth

Aug 17 2023 30 mins  
Steve and Virginia are joined by Elizabeth Lonseth, an author and caregiver, who discusses the dangers of denial in Alzheimer’s caregiving. She touches on the many ways that both patients and caregivers can suffer when caregivers do not come to terms with the realities of the disease. Elizabeth also gives listeners a few tips to help improve the caregiver journey. To learn more a

Reducing caregiver stress with Dr. Natali Edmonds

Jun 15 2023 26 mins  
Virginia is joined by Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board certified Geropsychologist and founder of Dementia Careblazers, an online resource for dementia caregivers. Dr. Edmonds talks about 4 mistakes caregivers make when dealing with their loved ones, and the steps we can take to avoid these behaviors. You can learn more about Dr. Edmonds and Dementia Careblazers at www.careblazers.com

Caregiving Two Years Later; a Revisit with Lisa Up de Graff

May 18 2023 31 mins  
Virginia and Steve are joined once again by Lisa Up de Graff, one of their first guests, who gives an update on her mother’s Alzheimer's disease journey. Lisa describes new challenges she has faced as the disease has progressed and recounts how she has dealt with transitioning her mother into hospice care.

Long distance caregiving with Irene Olson

Apr 20 2023 26 mins  
Virginia is joined by Irene Olson, author of the book, “Requiem for the Status Quo'' and a state long-term care Ombudsman. Irene shares tips and challenges she faced with being a long distance caregiver for her father. She emphasizes the importance of building a strong relationship with the staff at the care facility, which in her case, allowed her to remain involved in

Alzheimer's Disease and the Rise in Pseudomedicine with Dr. Joshua Grill

Mar 09 2023 34 mins  
Dr. Joshua Grill, PhD, is a professor at UC Irvine in the departments of Psychiatry & Human Behavior and Neurobiology and Behavior, as well as the director of UCI MIND. Dr. Grill joins Steve to discuss risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, steps people can take to lower their risk and the promising investigational therapies. He also cautions listeners about the prevalence of