In this episode of Dementia Discussions, I am joined by Elizabeth Fluck and Meredith Eden of The Hummingbird Project, and what a meaningful conversation this turned out to be. If you’ve ever wondered how to truly enhance quality of life for someone living with dementia—not just manage symptoms, but spark joy—this episode is for you.

We talk about the power of social connection, therapeutic engagement, and why isolation can be so detrimental, especially for seniors and those who cannot easily advocate for themselves. Elizabeth and Meredith share how their strength-based, individualized approach is transforming dementia care through creative arts, purposeful activities, and even virtual programming. You’ll walk away with practical insight and, I hope, a renewed sense of possibility.

Episode Timeline

[0:48] – I kick off Season 4 and reflect on the importance of community and connection for caregivers.

[2:12] – Elizabeth shares how volunteering in a nursing home as a teenager led her to a lifelong passion for working with seniors.

[3:55] – Meredith talks about her background in drama therapy and how she found her true calling on a memory care floor.

[7:49] – We discuss why socialization is more than brain games—and why isolation is especially harmful for seniors with dementia.

[10:30] – The origin of The Hummingbird Project and the need for a true “quality of life” model in elder care.

[12:09] – What one-on-one therapeutic engagement actually looks like—and how specialists tailor activities to each individual.

[15:41] – Beautiful examples of rediscovering talents, including harmonizing with a violinist and reconnecting with professional identity.

[16:52] – “They’re going to forget anyway”—we address this common concern and explain why the moment still matters.

[17:57] – How engagement impacts stress levels, body chemistry, and overall wellness—even if the memory fades.

[20:09] – The flexibility of meeting clients wherever they are: at home, in facilities, or even in the hospital.

[22:35] – The virtual engagement program and how even clients who seem “non-engageable” can thrive online.

[29:19] – How the program supports caregivers by filling in afternoon downtime and reducing agitation.

[33:46] – Navigating resistance to care and how Hummingbird can be the first supportive presence in the door.

[35:26] – How services are structured, billed, and customized to meet each client’s needs.

[42:46] – The partnership with Family Caregiver Alliance and the “Let’s Get Away Together” virtual group experience.

[45:17] – Travel themes, shared stories, and creating meaningful community for caregivers and their loved ones.

[50:47] – The flexibility of scheduling and why there is no rigid commitment structure.

Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.

In this episode of Dementia Discussions, I sit down with Lisa Jo, a longtime member of the support group I co-lead at the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research at UCLA. Lisa has been navigating the complex, emotional, and often overwhelming role of long-distance caregiving, and today she opens up about her mother’s dementia journey, her father’s decline, and what it was like to step into full-time caregiving during one of the most difficult times in her family’s life.

Lisa shares so honestly about the unexpected challenges she faced—sun-downing behaviors, shifting family dynamics, medication management, caregiver burnout, and the heartbreaking realities that arise when a parent no longer recognizes you. She also gives a heartfelt look at the meaningful moments she was able to create with both of her parents during their final years together. Her story is raw, authentic, and full of wisdom for any caregiver walking a similar path.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] – Lisa describes early signs of her mom’s sun-downing and the moment her mother no longer recognized her.
[00:37] – I welcome listeners to Season 3 and share my gratitude for the community.
[01:31] – Introducing Lisa Jo and her connection to our UCLA support group.
[02:02] – Lisa paints a picture of who her mom was before dementia—independent, outgoing, and full of life.
[03:23] – The beginning of her mother’s cognitive decline and early safety concerns.
[04:40] – The emotional toll on her dad as her mom’s personality and memory shifted.
[05:50] – Life in independent living and when Lisa decided to seek out caregiver support.
[07:02] – Lisa realizes her dad is overwhelmed and begins exploring outside help.
[08:40] – Moving in with her parents for 15 months during her dad’s illness and recognizing the true extent of her mom’s impairment.
[10:38] – Her dad relinquishes caregiving responsibilities as his own health declines.
[12:01] – Balancing full-time remote work while caregiving for both parents.
[14:40] – Challenges in communication, accusations, and emotional upheaval caused by dementia.
[15:50] – A bittersweet moment when her mom mistakes her for “someone familiar.”
[16:50] – Rebuilding an adult relationship with both parents and finding unexpected closeness.
[18:52] – How fortunate timing, flexibility, and family planning made care possible.
[20:00] – Her father’s passing and preparing her mother for the transition to memory care.
[21:37] – Moving her mom into memory care and the thoughtful steps she took to ease the adjustment.
[23:46] – Personalizing the new space with colors, familiar furniture, and meaningful artwork.
[26:07] – Navigating her mom’s grief and repeated questions after her dad’s death.
[28:21] – Using fiblets and reassurance to support her mom emotionally.
[30:58] – Long-distance caregiving today—video calls, late-night reassurance, and new complications with care-facility rules.
[33:18] – Adjusting to limited access and advocating for communication options.
[34:31] – Traveling back East periodically and managing a new diagnosis: multiple myeloma.
[36:06] – How the support group has helped Lisa through education, connection, and emotional release.
[37:30] – Navigating guilt as a long-distance caregiver and honoring her parents’ wishes.
[39:45] – The biggest silver lining—deepening her relationship with both of her parents.
[42:16] – Closing the conversation with gratitude and reflection.

Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate,

In this episode, I sit down with dementia counselor, educator, and author Tami Anastasia for a deeply meaningful conversation about what really drives behavior in dementia care. We go beyond surface-level symptoms and talk about the powerful role personal history, emotional patterns, and past trauma play once the brain can no longer filter or suppress them. This is one of those conversations that can completely change how you see dementia caregiving.

Tami joins me to discuss her newest book, Dementia Caregiving & Personal History: How to Help Cope, Connect, and Heal, and why this journey—painful as it is—can also be an opportunity for healing for both caregivers and those living with dementia. We explore how connection replaces correction, why the soul does not get dementia, and how caregivers can respond with empathy, reassurance, and boundaries instead of guilt

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] – When words fail, how caregivers can still connect by speaking to the soul
[1:26] – Introducing Tami Anastasia and her work in dementia counseling and education
[3:27] – Why dementia behaviors often connect to unresolved personal history
[6:45] – How past trauma resurfaces when coping mechanisms disappear
[9:01] – Caring for someone who didn’t take care of you—and setting boundaries
[12:11] – Using personalized language to reduce agitation and fear
[16:16] – Honoring identity and work history in dementia care
[19:02] – Caregiver guilt, grief, and the emotional weight of placement decisions
[24:23] – Fear-based family histories and nighttime paranoia
[29:16] – Personality traits intensifying as dementia progresses
[31:56] – Listening to emotional themes, not just words
[34:56] – The power of non-verbal connection when language breaks down
[38:01] – Giving caregivers permission to acknowledge their limits
[40:05] – How to find Tami’s books and upcoming audiobook release

Links & Resources:

Tami Anastasia's Book Dementia, Caregiving, and Personal History: How to Help, Cope, Connect, and Heal: https://a.co/d/4qoXZ2d

Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.