"Don't You Remember?"

"Don't You Remember?"

"Don't you remember?" They are three common words. Yet, when spoken too often, they’re cause for alarm. When your loved ones begin their journey into dementia, your own life-altering pilgrimage is set in motion. The path holds countless challenges including grief, despair, and joy: often all in a single day. The fear of not knowing what to do first can be overwhelming. For me, being proactive instead of reactive was empowering. Through these podcasts, I hope to give you tools in the form of resources and shared experiences, so you realize you’re not alone. I’m Theba. For the past 25 years, I have worked in TV News. I’m also the daughter of parents who lived in two different states, Illinois and Arkansas, when each were diagnosed with dementia in the same year. I entered into a season of intense anxiety and helplessness. I’d seen a few movies about older adults having memory problems and the sadness and difficulties their families faced, but I felt far removed from that reality. In my family cancer and old age claimed my relatives. The word dementia was new to me until an aggressive form of the disease took my father. Today I am the sole caregiver for my mother who is living with Alzheimer’s. Though very difficult, the struggles of caring for parents with dementia have also revealed great joy! I started sharing my experiences on television during the pandemic of 2020. In my heart, I knew there were many just like me trying to understand and adapt to caring for a loved one. The people I’ve met along the way have offered life-changing advice and support. My mission now is to encourage you on your own journey. I know God has been my strength and hope along the way and has led me to this new season of sharing so that you too can find comfort from those who do remember.

Episodes

February 29, 2024 49 mins

#063.  This is my last podcast for a season or two as I focus more on my mom's needs and care. Of course, I wanted my last episode to feature my mentor and friend Carolyn.   Carolyn Berry currently serves as the Director of Education at Alzheimer’s Arkansas.  Her experience has been shaped through working with aging adults in various capacities, including as a Community Educator at an intensive outpatient program for seniors. ...

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#062.  Jared Stewart (Executive Director) and Sam Ferguson (Patient Care Representative) from Hospice Home Care in Little Rock, Arkansas explain what hospice and palliative care is and when you should reach out. For more information call 501-558-4141.

24/7 Helpline: 1.800.272.3900 - Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer's Arkansas
Theba's YouTube Channel

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#061.  On this segment, Carolyn and I talk about my mother entering last stage, when to call for hospice assistance and the importance of respite time for caregivers.  Carolyn Berry currently serves as the Director of Education at Alzheimer’s Arkansas.  Her experience has been shaped through working with aging adults in various capacities, including as a Community Educator at an intensive outpatient program for seniors.  Carolyn al...

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#060. Sandra Rogers is a registered nurse, retired from being gainfully employed. Her nursing career included time in long term care for veterans, home health, geriatric clinical care and hospice - both inpatient and in home. Sandra’s volunteer time has included tutoring reading to elementary students with AR Kids Read, Shepherd's Hope free clinic, facilitating a caregiver support group with Alzheimer's Arkansas.  And rec...

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December 18, 2023 52 mins

#059. On this segment, Carolyn and I talk about my second year as my mother's caregiver.  Carolyn Berry currently serves as the Director of Education at Alzheimer’s Arkansas.  Her experience has been shaped through working with aging adults in various capacities, including as a Community Educator at an intensive outpatient program for seniors.  Carolyn also worked as an Intervention Specialist with adults living mental illness...

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#057. David Cook is the  Public Policy Director at the Alzheimer's Association. In this role, he oversees the development and implementation of the Association’s state and federal policy objectives. He also coordinates efforts of the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, the Association’s volunteer advocacy program. Creating opportunities for those who have been touched by dementia to share their experiences with their elected official...

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#056.  On this segment, Carolyn and I talk about how important it is to have a holiday plan.  Carolyn Berry currently serves as the Director of Education at Alzheimer’s Arkansas.  Her experience has been shaped through working with aging adults in various capacities, including as a Community Educator at an intensive outpatient program for seniors.  Carolyn also worked as an Intervention Specialist with adults living mental illnesse...

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#055.  Steve Roberts took on the role of being his mother's primary caregiver giver diagnosed with Alzheimer's and had strong family support. But the toughest part of the journey was finding, relying and trusting an institution to help with her care, because some of his experiences were a "nightmare."    

24/7 Helpline: 1.800.272.3900 - Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer's Arkansas
Theba's ...

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#054. On this segment, Carolyn and I talk about how important it is to take care of your mental health and lowering expectations. Carolyn Berry currently serves as the Director of Education at Alzheimer’s Arkansas.  Her experience has been shaped through working with aging adults in various capacities, including as a Community Educator at an intensive outpatient program for seniors.  Carolyn also worked as an Intervention Specialis...

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#053. Jackie Parker,  Author of Where is Wilma?, writes... "after living with my mother-in-law who had Alzheimer's, I discovered that I needed to understand the emotions associated with her actions. Underneath her certain behaviors lied the various reasons our loved one may be acting out."  Jackie's 48 page book is a concise tender reflection of her journey with Wilma. Each detailed experience is concluded ...

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#052. On this segment, Carolyn and I talk about trying to describe yourself as a caregiver.  It's complicated. Carolyn Berry currently serves as the Director of Education at Alzheimer’s Arkansas.   Her experience has been shaped through working with aging adults in various capacities, including as a Community Educator at an intensive outpatient program for seniors.  Carolyn also worked as an Intervention Specialist with adults...

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#051. David Cook is the Public Policy Director at the Alzheimer's Association. In this role, he oversees the development and implementation of the Association’s state and federal policy objectives. He also coordinates efforts of the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, the Association’s volunteer advocacy program. Creating opportunities for those who have been touched by dementia to share their experiences with their elected officials...

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#050. On this segment, Carolyn and I talk about a dangerous tree that I was angry about revealing something more about my caregiving anxiety. Carolyn Berry currently serves as the Director of Education at Alzheimer’s Arkansas.   Her experience has been shaped through working with aging adults in various capacities, including as a Community Educator at an intensive outpatient program for seniors.  Carolyn also worked as an Intervent...

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#049. On this episode Carolyn Berry of Alzheimer's Arkansas sits down to talk with friend and former co-worker Gigi Gabriel. Gigi served as the Education and Outreach Manager at Alzheimer’s Arkansas for  2 years.  Her caregiving journey began when her mother was diagnosed with Younger Onset Alzheimer’s at 55 years old.  Gigi was a Pastry Chef, under 30 with small children at home and had to stop everything to be her mother&apo...

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#048.  Checking in.  I was not able to do a podcast in May due to the work that was still going on to rebuild and fix after March 31st tornado.  I used May to focus on stuff that needed to be done around the house I'd put off for years. My hope is to be back to a normal podcast schedule this month, so I thought I would start by giving you and update, but go into more detail about the day of tornado and the days that followed.

2...

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#047. On this segment, Carolyn and I talk about how the tornado that damaged my home created new routines and opened up a whole new understanding of how the disease works in a crisis.  Carolyn Berry currently serves as the Director of Education at Alzheimer’s Arkansas.   Her experience has been shaped through working with aging adults in various capacities, including as a Community Educator at an intensive outpatient program for se...

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#045. On this segment, Carolyn was more interested in asking how I was doing. And I complied, because an advocate means being vulnerable if you want to comfort and encourage others.  Carolyn Berry currently serves as the Director of Education at Alzheimer’s Arkansas.   Her experience has been shaped through working with aging adults in various capacities, including as a Community Educator at an intensive outpatient program for seni...

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#044. My attempt at presenting an audio book of sorts by reading my friends book for this podcast. It was harder than I thought, so thankfully  the chapters were petite, haha.  Her written thoughts are so tender and she has taught me so much, especially about having a sense of humor through it all.

Jackie Parker,  Author of Where is Wilma?, writes... "after living with my mother-in-law who had Alzheimer's, I disc...

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#043. David Cook is the Public Policy Director at the Alzheimer's Association. In this role, he oversees the development and implementation of the Association’s state and federal policy objectives. He also coordinates efforts of the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, the Association’s volunteer advocacy program. Creating opportunities for those who have been touched by dementia to share their experiences with their elected officials...

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#42.  Carolyn gives us a picture of what is actually happening to the brain and how we can respond. Carolyn Berry currently serves as the Director of Education at Alzheimer’s Arkansas.   Her experience has been shaped through working with aging adults in various capacities, including as a Community Educator at an intensive outpatient program for seniors.  Carolyn also worked as an Intervention Specialist with adults living mental i...

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