Rodger That

Do you know about Area Agencies on Aging? This is a nationwide network of nonprofit agencies created by Congress in 1974 to be one-stop shops with information about programs, services, and resources to assist with the care of older adults. And Lesley Katz is helping people connect with these services. She’s a social worker and community educator with the Loudoun County Area Agenc

People don’t like to think about death. And they certainly don’t like to talk about it. Or do they? Sharon Crowell is an end-of-life acupuncturist and hospice volunteer who facilitates Death Cafés where participants have honest and often lively discussions about death, dying, and impermanence. And it’s not as morbid as it sounds. By encouraging early conversations about end-

Sitting down with your aging parents to discuss long-term care issues can be difficult, but these tough talks are critical to have early. Melissa Fritz is helping get these conversations started. She hosts the show Inside Senior Living. which follows families on their journeys to finding living options for the next stage of their lives. By bringing to light the heart-wrenching dram

As Dr. Steven Sabat says, “Look at those with dementia as people, rather than patients – just because they have certain difficulties doesn't mean they cease to be a person.” Amen! In part two of our interview, we continue our talk about the gross underestimation of the capacity of people with dementia. These are people with significant remaining social and cognitive strengths

We know about the weaknesses of people with dementia, but what about their strengths? Dr. Steven Sabat, professor emeritus in psychology at Georgetown University, reminds us that these people retain awareness, thinking ability, and sense of self. He’s learned that those diagnosed with dementia have more in common with people who don’t than we generally assume; we have to rememb

Low health illiteracy is a barrier not only to getting the right care but also to creating peace of mind for a caregiver. Thankfully, Jennifer Woodruff is helping to remove these barriers. She’s founder of the Patient Better Project, which helps patients and their families form an at-home care team, enhance communication with health professionals, strengthen health literacy skill

Sometimes caregivers just need a break. Daphne Johnson started Respite for All to help them and the ones they care for. RFA’s volunteers are helping improve quality of life for people with dementia while offering peace of mind and respite to their caregivers. It’s a great way to help offset growing social isolation for both patient and caregiver as the disease advances. Plus, t

Where flowers bloom, so does hope. And in Florida today, hope for delivering better care to dementia patients is growing thanks to Sira Botes. Her role as a home care clinician inspired her to create a communication platform, the Memory Bouquet, that helps everyone involved with dementia care by identifying the highest, safest cognitive level and establishing the most appropriate c

Caregiving can change everything and Jillian McCleary understands that first hand. Over a period of 6 months Jillian left her career to care for her mother with Dementia, bought a house that could accommodate her mother’s needs, started her business “Lovelind”, and got married! Listen in with Bobbi & Mike as they talk with Jillian about the ups and downs of caregiving and how

When your partner or spouse has a dementia diagnosis it is so important to find support. That’s why Laurel Whitman joined Well Spouse, an organization that advocates for and addresses the needs of individuals caring for a chronically ill and/or disabled spouse or partner. Join Bobbi, Mike & Laurel as they discuss the significant stress disability and illness can place on a marria