A Son's Journey: Love, Humor, and Learning to Let Go of Logic with David Bredbenner

David Bredbenner, author of "Going Home: A Journey with Dementia," shares his profound experience caring for his mother through her journey with dementia.

Before dementia, Betty Jane was a dynamo - a retired nurse turned successful artist who ran marathons well into her late 70s. The decline began subtly after a fall, but it was the passing of David's sister Terry that marked the stark transition into full-blown dementia 

One of David's most powerful lessons was learning to "throw logic right out the window." Traditional reasoning and reality-checking only led to frustration. Instead, he discovered the transformative power of meeting his mother where she was, using humor and creative redirection rather than confrontation.

Despite working in technology and traveling frequently, David and his sister made the conscious choice to keep their mother at home. While acknowledging it wasn't always possible for everyone, he describes it as both "pure hell" at times and "an absolute gift."

The journey taught him profound patience and the importance of focusing on emotional connection rather than factual accuracy. Even in the most challenging moments - like when his mother became combative or refused care - David found that humor and gentle persistence could break through where logic failed.

Perhaps most touching was David's reflection on love transcending understanding: "She knew she was loved...and she didn't have to know why." This simple but profound observation captures the essence of caring for someone with dementia - that connection and comfort matter more than comprehension.

In this episode, you will:

·      Discover effective strategies for caring for a parent with dementia.

·      Understand the emotional journey of being a dementia caregiver and how to navigate it.

·      Explore the impact of Alzheimer's on family dynamics and relationships.

·      Uncover the process of writing a book about personal dementia experiences.

·      Learn practical and valuable strategies for managing dementia symptoms.

After the Podcast

Read David's AlzAuthors blog post

Purchase “Going Home: A Journey with Dementia”

Learn about the World Walks Against Dementia

Learn about Norrms McNamara and Global Purple Angel

 Learn more about the Moderators

Marianne Sciucco

Christy Byrne Yates

Learn more about Aging & Amazing

Sign up for the book club 

About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others.

Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please donate here.

Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here.

Thanks for listening.

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