045: Supporting Loved Ones with Alzheimer's & Dementia — A Conversation with Cindy Fowler of the Alzheimer's Association

This week on the Taking Care of Tutu podcast, we team up with Cindy Fowler, Program Manager for Kauaʻi and Maui County with the Alzheimer's Association Aloha Chapter. With a background in physical therapy and years of working with kūpuna in home health, Cindy brings deep professional and personal experience to the conversation—including caring for her own mother and father-in-law through dementia.

Cindy and her "Care Bears" offer individual consultations for caregivers to troubleshoot real caregiving challenges, such as refusing to shower, resistance to adult daycare, or insisting on attending medical appointments alone. The Alzheimer's Association recommends the Partnership Approach to Care to help foster autonomy and minimize conflict with the loved one.

Cindy also shares with us the Ten Warning Signs of Dementia so we know what is typical aging and what symptoms mean it's time to seek medical attention.

In this episode, you will hear:

• What support does the Alzheimer's Association of Hawaii offer caregivers of individuals with dementia in Hawaii?
• How can families form meaningful partnerships with loved ones affected by dementia while maintaining  independence?
• What are the unique challenges associated with different types of dementia, such as Lewy body, vascular, and frontotemporal dementia?
• How can caregivers recognize early warning signs of Alzheimer's and other dementias to ensure timely intervention?
• What strategies can be employed to manage Alzheimer's-related challenges like driving restrictions and elopement risks?
• What are the latest advancements in Alzheimer's treatments and diagnostics, including new FDA-approved therapies and blood tests?

Resources from this Episode

Guest's Website - https://www.alz.org/hawaii

Guest's Office Number: [phone]

Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Event Announcement: 

The 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer's - Maui Walk on November 22, 2025 (Saturday) at the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center. The opening ceremony is at 10:00 a.m. and the walk is at 10:30 a.m. Visit https://www.alz.org/mauiwalk for more details.

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.