Hello Alzheimer’s

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Susan Parriott, Chief Executive Office and Regional Vice President of the Alzheimer's Association, Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter. Sue addresses the key facts featured in the annual report from the Alzheimer's Association, from the number of Americans now living with Alzheimer's disease (7.2 million), to the overwhelming majority of people (9 in 10) who would both want a simple diagnosti...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Trish Cook. According to her website, Trish is an "Anishinaabe Comedic Raconteur." But her brilliance doesn't stop at the stage. Trish brings her talents, kindness and wisdom to her many professional and personal roles -- including her cherished role of daughter. 

In this captivating conversation -- that yes, may make you both laugh and cry -- Trish shares her insights from walking along...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Tamara Statz, a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Vibrant Living.

Tamara delivers needed perspective -- and guidance -- for families on the Alzheimer's and other dementia journey. Karla also throws Tamara some of those uncomfortable but familiar questions families may face related to finances, family dynamics and communication.

Please reach out to Karla at Karla@SoMan...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult begins this week's conversation by reminding all of us -- including herself -- of why it's so important to give ourselves... grace.

Karla then revisits her conversation with Thor Nystrom. Thor's a phenomenal college football and NFL Draft analyst for Fantasy Life; but he's an even better son.

Thor talks about his amazing mom, Rachel Reabe Nystrom, also an accomplished journalist and former host for...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult begins this conversation with first, a look back... at the beautiful conversations we've been honored to share in these last months. THANK YOU for following, listening and learning alongside all of us at Hello Alzheimer's. 

We also want to give you a week to review, reflect or catch that one conversation you may have missed... including this one:

Elder Law Attorney Mary Frances Price, a founding me...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Colleen Fritsch, the Volunteer Dementia Friends Champion Coordinator. If we've lost you with Colleen's title or even the name of this program, then my goodness... Are you in for a treat!

According to the Dementia Friends Minnesota website: "Dementia Friends is a global movement that is changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. Developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in th...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Rachel Boucher, Program Coordinator of The Gathering. The Gathering is one of those beautiful examples in our greater community of resources that do, in fact, offer respite care for all those committed care partners (while also offering enrichment for loved ones living with Alzheimer's or other dementia). By defining what "works" in The Gathering, Rachel also shines a light on what to lo...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult shares the beautiful bond between a mother and daughter, Shirley Heine Rowe Freckmann and Jenn Rowe Glass. And these two women are quite the dynamic duo: After graduating from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor's Degree in Theology, Shirley began a "life of service to others." She advocated for and taught others, while also managing to raise three children. For her part, Jenn has had a successfu...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Jayne Dow Larkin, co-creator, People in the Squeeze and co-author of “Thriving in Chaos: Navigating the Challenges of Aging Parents." In a concise and captivating conversation, they reflect on the challenges adult children experience when caring for their own children AND their aging parents. Karla calls it being "bookended by babies and dementia;" Jayne and Heather Durenberger call it P...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Joan Palmquist about the practical and personal benefits of decluttering and downsizing during the dementia journey.

Joan's a retired marketing researcher who studied both journalism and law. And while that's impressive, Joan's current LinkedIn profile describes her most brilliant and rewarding work yet: "Volunteer Extraordinaire at Various Nonprofit organizations." Most importantly, Joa...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Myrna Marofsky and Kandy Hirsch about the critical need for Mental Health First Aid... for caregivers. The conversation addresses when, why and how to support those primary care partners who simply need the nudge to care... for themselves.

As a reminder, Myrna Marofsky is a fabulous friend, care partner advocate and amazing author of To the Last Dance: A Partner's Story of Living and Lov...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Thor Nystrom. Thor's a phenomenal college football and NFL Draft analyst for Fantasy Life; but he's an even better son.

Thor talks about his amazing mom, Rachel Reabe Nystrom, also an accomplished journalist and former host for Minnesota Public Radio. And Thor shares how his family -- even after Rachel's diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's -- continues to search for the joy (even, or ma...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Gordon Solo, the Supervising Attorney of the Senior Law Project at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. Gordon gives insights and advice on what Legal Aid can do -- legally and practically -- to protect every person in our greater community, especially those with fewer resources who are also starting their own dementia journey.

Gordon specifically recommends LawHelpMN.org as a legal resource, includ...

Hello Alzheimer's Host Karla Hult talks with Prof. Joe Gaugler, the Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in Long-Term Care and Aging, School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. Joe discusses his latest outreach -- a "dementia roadshow" -- that allows everyone in Minnesota to hear directly from this health care leader about the latest Alzheimer's research and resources. And Joe also weighs in on a perceived lack of resources an...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Elder Law Attorney Mary Frances Price, a founding member of Bravura Group. Together, the two tackle all those daunting legal and financial questions, documents and overall next steps families and individuals want to address when they believe their Alzheimer's or other dementia journey has begun.

You can learn more about the documents and recommended "next steps" at this Alzheimers.gov we...

In the second part of a conversation you'll want to savor and share, Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks again with Dave Fabry, Ph.D., the Chief Hearing Health Officer at Starkey. This conversation dives into the latest research related to hearing loss and the development of dementia, including the landmark Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders, or ACHIEVE, study. And Karla and Dave both humbly reflect on the options ...

In a conversation you'll want to savor and share, Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Dave Fabry, Ph.D., the Chief Hearing Health Officer at Starkey. Together, the two address the persistent stigma surrounding hearing loss and hearing aids. And together, the two reflect on Karla's own "life-changing" journey from hearing loss to hearing gains. Truly, if you or someone you know struggles to hear, you'll want to listen to Ka...

Happy New Year! In this encore episode of Hello Alzheimer's, host Karla Hult talks with world-renowned neurologist Dr. Michael Rosenbloom. "Dr. Mike" is the director of clinical trials at the University of Washington Medicine Memory and Brain Wellness Center in Seattle. He previously served as director of the HealthPartners Center for Memory and Aging in St. Paul, Minn.. And best of all, Dr. Mike's just a really good human who offe...

We're bringing back this important conversation, as we're still savoring the holiday season (when we're also possibly noticing changes in our loved ones). As always, please reach out if you have questions or need help finding resources.

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This is the first in a series of episodes dedicated to answering the question families may have immediately when they suspect they've started the dementia journey: What do we do now? In this c...