Gut Punched: Alzheimer’s & Caregivers

By: Podcast Playground
  • Summary

  • Navigating the insidious illness of Alzheimer’s is something nobody asks for. The disease sneaks up on you and your loved one, and it feels like you’ve been sucker-punched in the gut when you get the diagnosis from a doctor. So many things race through your mind: why us? What do we do? We worked so hard to get to this point in life. We just moved here after we both worked for 30 years, sold our house up North, and retired to Florida to enjoy our “golden years”. It’s not fair! Who’s going to take care of her/him? I don’t know a thing about this illness. She’s always done the cooking; I don’t even know how to boil water. He's always taken care of me and everything else like Finances. I don’t even drive! And it goes on and on. Facing this disease will bring you to your knees. Once you get over the initial shock (GUT PUNCHED), the questions and fears take hold. Where do we turn for help? Who do I call? What do I do? How do you take care of someone with Alzheimer's? Are there support groups? And questions like these just keep coming. I am a caregiver. I wasn’t before. Well, not this kind of caregiver. My wife was officially diagnosed in January of 2018. I had a sneaking suspicion that she might have something like this about 2 years earlier. So, when I brought it to my Neurologist, he sent us to a very nice Psychologist who specializes in testing patients to determine more accurately what is going on. It was a question-and-answer session, followed by a very detailed testing procedure that usually takes 3 or more hours. The patient has to complete the test comprising of questions, simple actions, and memory tests, then give them a couple of numbers or words then move on, going back to the numbers or words a short time later.

    So moving forward, I asked all the same questions as mentioned earlier. What are my options? So I “sucked it up”-Manned up so to speak. It's part of the deal for better or worse, right? So began my quest for information on support groups, doctors, anything I could get my hands on. It's been 6 years, and I am still looking for everything and anything that will help me crawl through this unchartered path to enlightenment. I was very fortunate to live in a city that has numerous resources to tap into. Most importantly, it's a place named after someone who suffered from Alzheimer’s. His wife provided the money to start the Alvin Dubin Center: The Dubin Center for short. Their mission is to achieve caregiver health, strength, and resilience by providing education, information, hope, and compassion. And boy do they. I leaned on them for everything I could find. Took all kinds of classes to learn what I needed to do to be the caregiver I have to be. Their caregiver class took about 6 weeks. The material we learned from, and the instructors, were top-notch. I still go back to the notes I took, and the books we used: both as refreshers and inspiration. Hopefully, no matter where you are listening to this, there will be a place like the Dubin Center. If not, don’t despair. The info is out there. That’s what this podcast is about. We’d like to share our resources, our experiences, our heartbreak, and our little victories. From time to time, we’d like to bring in Physicians, Nurses, Experts, and people like you and me, who are going through this disease with our loved ones who are willing to share their journey. The first thing that really stuck with me, and hopefully it will be with you. If you are a caregiver, you must first take care of yourself. Because this is not a sprint, but a marathon. And if you are run down, get sick, or worse.... Who’s going to take care of your spouse, mother, father, or child? Think about that for a few seconds. It’s you, the Caregiver. It’s me the Caregiver. That’s why we’re here. Gut Punched: Alzheimer’s & Caregivers! Thanks for joining us...now let's get going.

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Episodes
  • Gut Punched: Alzheimer’s and Caregivers EP 31
    Nov 4 2024

    In this episode Of GutPunched” Alzheimer’s and Caregiver Episode 31 or “Countdown to Election Chaos”, Host Jeff Edwards, looks at the focus is on caregiver stress and burnout, providing insights into their signs, symptoms, and coping strategies. The episode also offers a preview of an upcoming interview with Dr. Adam Perry from Healthspan Partners, who will discuss a new program designed specifically for caregivers and their partners. Additionally, listeners will receive updates on the Walk for Alzheimer's events taking place in the coming weeks.

    The episode emphasizes three key rules for caregivers:

    1. Prioritize self-care to ensure you're able to care for your loved one.

    2. Recognize that caregiving is not a solitary journey; seek support from caregiver groups, friends, and family.

    3. Create and utilize lists of people who can assist you and tasks that need to be accomplished to manage overwhelming responsibilities effectively.

    This supportive framework aims to empower caregivers in navigating their challenging roles while promoting their well-being.

    GUTPUNCHED: ALZHEIMER’S AND CAREGIVERS, with Jeff Edwards. GUTPUNCHED.COM


    Available on The Podcast Playground, and all the major platforms like Spotify, Pandora, Google, I-Heart, Apple, and more. Please hit like and subscribe.

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    20 mins
  • Gut Punched: Alzheimer’s and Caregivers EP 30
    Oct 28 2024

    In this episode of GutPunched: Alzheimer's & Caregivers, Episode 30 Or “Are we done with Hurricanes for this year yet?” host Jeff Edwards explores critical insights into dementia risk and caregiving. First, he reveals three common household products that may increase the risk of developing dementia. Next, Jeff provides an overview of The Guide Program from CMS.gov, a groundbreaking initiative designed to support caregivers and their partners. He delves into the program's model and purpose, setting the stage for a deeper discussion in upcoming weeks. Listeners can look forward to an insightful interview with Dr. Adam Perry from HealthSpan Partners, making this episode a must-listen for anyone affected by Alzheimer's and caregiving challenges. You’ll also find out where and when some of the Walk To End Alzheimer’s walks will take place. Tune in for valuable information and practical tips:

    GUTPUNCHED: ALZHEIMER’S & CAREGIVERS, with Jeff Edwards. GUTPUNCHED.COM

    Available on The Podcast Playground, and all the major platforms like Spotify, Pandora, Google, I-Heart, Apple and more. Please hit like and subscribe.

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    23 mins
  • Gut Punched: EP 29 Hey Hurricane Milton: Thanks for Nothing: The Cleanup Continues!
    Oct 21 2024

    Host Jeff Edwards, with a dash of humor and a sprinkle of resilience, reflects on the chaos brought by the storm—not just outside, but within the world of Alzheimer’s care.

    Still involved in cleaning up his property from Hurricane Milton, Jeff takes a quick look, and updates The Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

    Also, he provides information for two new resources:

    A Lab study at Rice University that is seeking primary caregivers to participate in a research study on emotion and coping with strategies for caregivers, and

    The GUIDE Program: A Medicare demonstration program for traditional Medicare Beneficiaries that may provide additional resources and support.

    Tune in as he shares tales of cleaning up both literal debris and emotional turmoil, all while offering poignant insights and some much-needed comic relief. Spoiler alert: Mother Nature may have brought the winds, but Jeff's wit is the real force of nature here!

    GutPunched: Alzheimer’s and Caregivers is available on The Podcast Playground, and all the major platforms like Spotify, Pandora, Google, I-Heart, Apple and more. Please hit like and subscribe. Visit GUTPUNCHED.COM for more information and resources.

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    9 mins

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