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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.

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Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast

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

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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