Join Host Dawn Platt in this enlightening 16-minute quick-cast episode as she discusses effective communication with those facing dementia. Discover the benefits of compassionate communication, the importance of attitude, and the power of nonverbal cues. Gain insights into navigating the different stages of dementia while learning practical strategies for fostering meaningful connections. Tune in for essential tips on enhancing communication with loved ones on this challenging journey.
Apr 25, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Join Host Dawn Platt in this week's enlightening episode as she engages in a touching dialogue with Nurse and Memory Care Director Brenda Johnson. Discover the remarkable impact of music on Brenda's nonverbal grandmother, whose silence was broken by the familiar tunes of her past, offering glimpses of connection amidst dementia's fog. Additionally, they shed light on the higher prevalence of dementia among African Americans, underlining the need for greater awareness and support. Finally, they o...
Apr 18, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In this week's new episode, Host Dawn Platt engages in a heartfelt conversation with her colleague and friend EJ about navigating the complexities of ambiguous loss, drawing from personal experiences with EJ's mother-in-law. Ambiguous loss is a one's profound sense of loss and sadness not from the actual death of their loved one, but from the loss or change of the person they knew as a result of dementia or other personality change. They explore the challenges caregivers encounter as well as cop...
Apr 11, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 25
In this week's podcast, Dawn discusses common issues faced by dementia patients and their families. One prevalent issue is financial strain, and Dawn emphasizes the importance of taking proactive measures to alleviate this burden. She also stresses the significance of obtaining Power of Attorney early on to ensure that important decisions can be made on behalf of the individual. Other topics include over-purchasing or overspending due to memory loss or irrational fears of scarcity, risks of cons...
Apr 04, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 24
In this week’s podcast, host Dawn Platt and Certified Financial Planner Matt Marcoux discuss the gentle art of helping your aging loved one manage their finances, especially when dementia is a factor. It can be a difficult topic to approach, but it’s an essential part of life for most families. Having open communication is the most important aspect when facing these issues. Taking the time to plan now by getting proper documents and designations in place, a financial inventory, and the ability t...
Mar 28, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 23
As a caregiver, it's important to recognize that not all dementias are the same, and neither are their symptoms or behaviors. This understanding can help reduce anxiety and stress by managing expectations and approaching each situation with a tailored mindset. Host Dawn Platt shares helpful strategies, such as practicing responses to frequently asked or repeated questions, setting expectations with friends and family, and other ways to reduce anxiety as a caregiver, even sharing her own stories ...
Mar 21, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In this week's episode, Host Dawn Platt engages in a candid conversation with her colleague, Brenda, regarding the challenges she faces in caring for her mother who has vascular dementia compounded by diabetes. Brenda reveals the distressing reality of her mother's condition, including delusions and violent outbursts, often directed towards Brenda’s father (her husband) and Brenda herself. Despite her mother's unwillingness to accept help and accept her diagnosis, Brenda remains steadfast in her...
Mar 13, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 21
In this week's episode, host Dawn Platt shares a prevalent topic from her recent virtual support group discussion: redirection. Dementia patients may get "stuck" on an idea or concept that may not be logical or actionable. Given the challenge of logical reasoning with dementia, how can you alter or divert your loved one's attention to prevent frustration or agitation? Dawn provides valuable insights into understanding how individuals with dementia perceive different types of responses, advice on...
Mar 07, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Join Host Dawn Platt on this week's episode as she sits down with Jeff, a Memory Care Director, who shares his personal journey as a son caring for parents battling Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Jeff offers insights from his professional experience and from a male caregiver's perspective, highlighting the crucial role of family in navigating the complexities of caregiving. Additionally, he provides advice on self-care for caregivers, discusses the benefits of transitioning loved ones to a se...
Mar 01, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In this week's episode, Host Dawn Platt chats with EJ, a woman whose mother-in-law has Alzheimer’s disease and lives with her family. They discuss strategies for de-escalating a loved one’s aggressive behavior as EJ seeks advice from her own experience. They also share helpful antidotes on managing common dementia and Alzheimer’s triggers and behaviors in a multi-generational household.
Feb 22, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 18
In this week’s new episode, Host Dawn Platt talks about her recent visit to Tallahassee for Florida Advocacy Days with the Florida Senior Living Association, where she had the opportunity to discuss crucial impending laws and regulations around memory care with senators, legislators and representatives. Dawn is joined by Danielle, whose father has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, to answer her questions about these regulations and what they will mean to the future of memory care...
Feb 15, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Host Dawn Platt speaks with Board Certified Neurologist and Clinical Neurophysiologist Dr. Michelle Boudreau on the importance of seeing a neurologist when there are memory issues or concerns. They also discuss the latest dementia medications as well as the challenges of increasing dementia cases.
Feb 08, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In this week's podcast episode, host Dawn Platt had the opportunity to speak with Eldergrow CEO Orla Concannon. Eldergrow focuses on bringing nature indoors to senior living communities using therapeutic horticulture designed to fit spaces as small as a desk. They discuss how the program provides many benefits for those with dementia such as sensory stimulation, enhancing motor skills and promoting memory recall. Additionally, the conversation emphasizes the positive impact of Eldergrow's approa...
Feb 01, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In this week's new podcast episode, host Dawn Platt speaks with Board Certified Wills, Trusts & Estates Attorney Ed Wollman, Managing Partner of Wollman, Gehrke & Associates, P.A. Ed explores the legal complexities that those with dementia and their loved ones may face . A key focus of the discussion is the importance of adequate estate planning and having medical documents in place like advance directives. He goes on to highlight how such documents not only streamline decisions but also...
Jan 25, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Marjorie's narrative unfolds further as she goes from social butterfly to introverted and withdrawn. Host Dawn Platt delves into the items used as coping mechanisms and how they helped alleviate Marjorie’s anxiety around her memory loss. She further shares the profound impact of dementia on rational thinking when those items are misplaced, often resulting in unexpected and heightened reactions from the individual.
Jan 18, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 13
This week's podcast continues the story of Marjorie, a dementia resident that impacted host Dawn Platt's career. Marjorie's personality changed vastly throughout her dementia journey and her personal care needs had to change with her. Host Dawn Platt also discusses examples of how dementia patients experience a wide array of misperceptions, including visual and spatial, age confusion, or short term memory-loss.
Jan 11, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In this 15-minute quick-cast, host Dawn Platt talks about her personal career path and the stories and people that have impacted her along the way. This special episode focuses on one of her first and most memorable dementia residents, Marjorie.
Jan 04, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Dr. Cynthia Green, PhD, clinical psychologist and author, joins host Dawn Platt in a spirited conversation about brain health and exercises to keep your brain healthy and active. Nationally renowned, Dr. Green founded the Memory Enhancement program at Mount Sinai Medical Center in 1996, the first of its kind in the United States.
Dec 22, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this 12-minute episode, host Dawn Platt shares her own experience as a dementia caregiver to a loved one and the real-life conversations she’s had with other caregivers about the day-to-day ups and downs. If you’re a caregiver, this episode will help you understand that there are going to be bad days, and that’s ok. It’s all about having balance in your life.
Dec 14, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Dr. Sandra Peterson, an expert in geriatrics and dementia, speaks with host Dawn Platt about working with seniors in memory care communities and the increase in different types of dementia, including mixed dementia and frontal temporal dementia. In this episode, you'll learn more about how different types of dementia should be diagnosed individually as they often have distinct treatments.
Dec 07, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Host Dawn Platt shares concerning signs when it comes to paying bills, spending behavior and other issues that might be due to a decline in a parent or loved one’s short-term memory. Learn more about what clues to look for.
Nov 29, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Host Dawn Platt reviews tips provided by the Alzheimer’s Association as well as her own personal suggestions on how to engage loved ones with dementia during the holidays without overwhelming them (or the caregivers).
Nov 22, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 6
n this week’s episode, Dawn talks with special guest Rita Harrison, a woman who was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and early on-set dementia in 2018 at just 58. She’ll speak about what it was like to get the diagnosis and how she’s doing now.
Oct 26, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Dementia can take a toll on all family members involved. Learn how to best cope when conflict arises in a family due to a loved one’s dementia.
Oct 26, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Physical and Occupational Therapist Dr. Brittany Tallhamer not only works with seniors with dementia but has a personal connection to the disease. Hear her story and learn more.
Oct 26, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Welcome to the podcast! Take a listen and learn about The Disappearing Mind podcast.
Oct 26, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Susan's mother went from an active and involved mom and grandmother to a late-stage dementia diagnosis. Listen to her story.
Oct 26, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 5
