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  • EP 1 So you can Survive Alzheimer's ? - an introduction
    2022/08/10

    Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast

    In this first episode I will give you some of background information and introduce you to the people that this podcast is about. I'll also introduce you to how we have survived Alzheimer's disease so far.

    It's my hope that you'll be able to connect with us, thus, be able to relate your experiences to ours in doing this. I hope that you can learn from our experiences.

    Why did I decide to do this podcast? It's about you. I wanted to help you in dealing with your loved one's dementia. I've learned a lot of things along the way here. A lot of it was the hard way, and I hope that some of the things that I've picked up along the way may be of use to you.

    About a year and a half ago, when I finally decided to move Shanna to a memory care facility after I couldn't take care of her anymore, I had done it for four years, 24 /7. I decided to get some grief counseling. I took grief counseling sessions for about nine months. And one of the things that she taught me was that as we help other people with the things that we have struggled with, we heal.

    And I have learned that along the way, I've dealt with caregiver burnout, we survived the COVID pandemic together. The decision to put her in memory care was probably the hardest thing I've ever done. And then once she was there after almost a year, I made another tough decision to move her to a better facility. And that turned out really good. But watching my wife go through all of the stages of the disease and all of the challenges that it brought, both of us was a very interesting experience.

    This disease has brought my wife and I closer than ever together in the last four or five years. Tremendous things have changed all for the better, even while we're struggling with the disease. And this is our story. My hope is in telling our story, it'll be helpful to you, and you'll be able to face your own challenges with a degree of hope and be able to find peace. Like I have found.

    So how does one survive alzheimer's? As you probably know, Alzheimer's is a fatal disease, but what do I mean by surviving it? Well, I looked up in the dictionary what the word survival means, and some of the things that I really liked was it means to remain or to continue in existence.

    How do I continue to live as I watch the person I love the most in my life slowly fade away? How do I get along or remain healthy, happy and unaffected in spite of some circumstances? That's another definition of survive. That's what I mean by surviving Alzheimer's I will tell you how my wife has dealt with this in episodes to come and how I dealt with it.

    Well, thanks for listening and be sure to follow the surviving Alzheimer's podcast. The surviving. Alzheimer's. Podcast is brought to you by Ascending Minds, LLC.

    Link to “The Surviving Alzheimer’s Podcast” Facebook page.

    Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions

    Visit the NEW Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)
    to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ...

    Visit the Podcast Facebook page

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    13 分
  • EP 2 Life before Dementia ... were there early clues ?
    2022/08/13

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    Surviving Alzheimer's: Reflections on Early Signs and Coping Strategies

    In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's podcast, host Ken Cardita shares his journey alongside his wife, Shanna, who has been battling Alzheimer's disease. He reflects on their early life together, identifying initial signs of cognitive decline, and the crucial lessons learned during their journey. The podcast delves into the importance of selecting the right medical support, dealing with emotional triggers and caregiver challenges, and highlights the role of faith and open communication in their continued resilience. Ken also emphasizes the value of hindsight and offers advice for those starting their caregiving journey.

    00:00 Introduction to the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast
    00:32 Early Signs and Reflections
    01:00 Life Before Alzheimer's
    03:06 Challenges and Changes in the 1990s
    04:23 The 2000s: Family and Personal Growth
    10:10 Early Cognitive Struggles
    13:00 The First Neurologist Visit
    17:17 Lessons Learned and Advice
    23:17 Emotional Journey and Faith
    25:27 Conclusion and Next Steps

    Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions

    Visit the NEW Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)
    to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ...

    Visit the Podcast Facebook page

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    30 分
  • EP 3 What do you mean I should not Drive? - Dealing with Denial
    2022/08/16

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    Navigating Denial and Driving: A Caregiver's Journey

    In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's podcast, host Ken Cardita recounts his personal experiences dealing with denial and the challenges of getting his wife, Shanna, to stop driving once it was no longer safe for her to drive. He shares valuable insights and resources for caregivers, emphasizing the importance of overcoming denial, being proactive, and finding support. Ken also offers practical tips on how to handle the sensitive issue of driving with a loved one who has Alzheimer's, as well as highlighting the role of denial as a coping mechanism.

    00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome
    00:40 Episode Overview: Dealing with Denial
    01:20 Personal Journey: Early Signs and Diagnosis
    04:03 Understanding Denial in Dementia
    09:31 Shanna's Driving Struggles
    17:34 Caregiver Tips and Resources
    23:07 Recap and Closing Thoughts
    24:34 Next Episode Preview and Final Remarks

    Online Resources that were helpful for Ken early on
    o www.alz.org – The Alzheimer’s Association
    o www.TeepaSnow.com - Teepa Snow – A positive approach to care
    o www.CareBlazers.com - Dr. Natale Edmunds careblazer program and facebook group

    Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions

    Visit the NEW Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)
    to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ...

    Visit the Podcast Facebook page

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    28 分
  • EP 4 Experiencing Mild/Early stage Alzheimer's and we didn't know we were there !
    2022/08/24

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    Navigating Early Stage Alzheimer's: Personal Reflections and Advice

    In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's podcast, host Ken Cardita delves into his personal experiences during the early stages of his wife Shanna's Alzheimer's diagnosis. Ken recounts the emotional challenges and adjustments needed to manage caregiving duties effectively. He discusses common symptoms such as repeated questioning, short-term memory loss, and poor judgment, and shares coping strategies and lessons learned. The episode emphasizes the importance of patience, adaptability, and seeking support for caregivers while navigating the complexities of Alzheimer's disease.

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome
    00:54 Understanding the Journey
    02:15 Early Stages of Alzheimer's
    04:30 Challenges and Adjustments
    08:24 Social Interactions and Coping
    16:06 Dealing with Anger and Fear
    21:02 Seeking Support and Self-Care
    23:51 Conclusion and Next Steps

    Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions

    Visit the NEW Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)
    to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ...

    Visit the Podcast Facebook page

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    30 分
  • EP 5 Diagnosis of Alzheimer's - Now What ? ... but I don't feel like I have Alzheimer's
    2022/09/01

    Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast

    Navigating Diagnosis and Acceptance: A Journey through Moderate Alzheimer's

    In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's podcast, host Ken Cardita delves into 2016, a pivotal year in his 12-year journey with his wife Shanna's Alzheimer's. Ken shares the challenges of undiagnosed moderate Alzheimer's, the life upheaval from early retirement, and the financial planning that shaped his transition to a full-time caregiver. He recounts the stress and realizations during their downsizing move, and details Shanna's cognitive assessments leading to her official Alzheimer's diagnosis. Ken offers insights on embracing caregiving, fostering acceptance, and the profound lessons learned through their experiences. He highlights the importance of community support, both from family and friends, and encourages listeners to share the podcast to help others on their own dementia journeys.

    00:00 Introduction and Recap
    00:59 The Diagnosis Journey Begins
    01:42 Life Changes and Financial Planning
    03:34 Downsizing and Moving Challenges
    07:44 Medical Evaluations and Diagnosis
    12:56 Coping with the Diagnosis
    16:45 Sharing the News with Family and Friends
    20:01 Lessons Learned as a Caregiver
    24:44 Final Thoughts and Next Episode Preview

    Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions

    Visit the NEW Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)
    to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ...

    Visit the Podcast Facebook page

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    30 分
  • EP 6 I have Grieved 1000 losses - Thoughts on Grief, Guilt and Ambiguous Loss
    2022/09/07

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    EP 6 I have Grieved 100 Losses ..

    Thoughts on Grief, Guilt, and Ambiguous Loss as a Dementia Caregiver

    In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer’s podcast, host Ken Cardita shares his personal journey of caregiving for his wife Shanna, who has Alzheimer's. Ken delves into the complex emotions of grief, guilt, and ambiguous loss that caregivers often face. By reflecting on his own experiences, he provides insights and strategies on how to manage these emotions healthily. Ken emphasizes the importance of seeking support and maintaining a perspective that focuses on the quality of time spent with loved ones. He also highlights how accepting and understanding ambiguous loss can help in finding peace amidst the challenges of caregiving.

    00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections
    00:44 Today's Episode: Grief, Guilt, and Ambiguous Loss
    01:25 Understanding and Managing Grief
    07:49 Dealing with Guilt as a Caregiver
    21:04 Ambiguous Loss: A Unique Caregiving Challenge
    27:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
    28:48 Next Week's Episode and Closing Remarks

    Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions

    Visit the NEW Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)
    to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ...

    Visit the Podcast Facebook page

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    33 分
  • EP 7 Moderate Alzheimer's - Full Time Caregiver at Home
    2022/09/14

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    Moderate Stage of Alzheimer's: A Caregiver's Journey

    In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer’s podcast, host Ken Cardita shares his experiences and lessons learned while caring for his wife Shanna at home during the moderate stage of Alzheimer's. Ken discusses various challenges encountered, such as increased memory loss, language difficulties, and handling unexpected outbursts. He highlights the importance of adapting as a caregiver, the value of physical activity, and the impact of maintaining social connections. Ken also reflects on personal growth achieved through journaling and mentoring. Listener feedback and upcoming topics are also covered.

    00:00 Introduction and Purpose
    00:28 Podcast Overview and Listener Feedback
    00:59 Moderate Stage Alzheimer's: Personal Experiences
    04:28 Challenges and Coping Strategies
    15:02 Journal Reflections and Personal Growth
    22:58 Conclusion and Future Episodes

    Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions

    Visit the NEW Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)
    to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ...

    Visit the Podcast Facebook page

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    27 分
  • EP 8 - Leading the Care Team
    2022/09/20

    Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast

    Leading Your Caregiving Team: Insights and Experiences

    In this episode, the Ken draws an analogy between the role of a football quarterback and that of a primary caregiver in managing the needs of a loved one with dementia. He provides an overview of the different aspects involved in leading a caregiving team, sharing personal experiences of assembling 'Team Shanna'—a support network comprising medical professionals, financial and legal advisors, friends, family, and caregivers.

    The episode also includes a poignant story about a friend's sudden need to assemble a caregiving team for his wife while dealing with his own serious health issues. Listener comments and appreciation are acknowledged, and the episode concludes with advice on accepting help, discussing caregiver burnout, and encouraging listeners to share their own experiences.

    00:00 Introduction: The Caregiver as a Quarterback
    01:25 Building Team Shanna: Medical and Emotional Support
    02:25 Listener Shoutout and Podcast Interaction
    03:43 Medical Journey: Finding the Right Care
    07:20 Financial and Legal Support for Caregiving
    07:58 The Role of Professional Caregivers
    09:32 Emotional and Spiritual Support Network
    12:07 A Friend's Story: Caregiving and Personal Health
    21:36 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts

    Link to post a comment on this episode

    Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions

    Visit the NEW Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com)
    to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ...

    Visit the Podcast Facebook page

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    29 分