Advertise on podcast: Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

One minute I’m on the couch kikiing with my line sister and getting ready for a real date. The next minute I’m sprinting upstairs, dialing 911, and locking eyes with my mom as she seizes on the floor. That’s the truth of dementia caregiving: plans can evaporate instantly, and you still have to think clearly while your body floods with adrenaline. I walk you through the seizure emergency step by step, including what I see, what I say to the 911 operator, and why that question “What do you need?” can feel impossible when you’re in shock. We also talk about practical caregiver preparation like keeping a grab-and-go bag of medications, building habits that save precious time, and knowing your loved one’s baseline when they can’t answer basic ER questions. You’ll hear the moments of grace too: a physical trainer who handles my mom with tenderness and skill, and a friend who shows up without being asked, drives behind the ambulance, and later rescues us from a discharge with no ride. I share what it’s like advocating for someone with advanced dementia in the emergency room, why dementia-friendly ER care matters, and how I try to stay flexible when the fear hits hard. If you’re supporting a parent with Alzheimer’s, dementia, seizures, or complex medical needs, this story will feel familiar and grounding. Subscribe, share this with a caregiver who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find us. Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!

He spent a lifetime caring for other people as a respected pediatrician. Then Alzheimer’s walked into his home and rewrote the rules overnight. Pastor Jeanette Jordan joins me to tell the truth about dementia caregiving, including the moments that break you, the choices that protect dignity, and the practical skills families are forced to learn on the fly. We talk through the slow early signs, the denial that can feel like protection, and the gut punch that came right after retirement when Dr. Jordan put on his lab coat and insisted he was going to work. From there, Pastor Jeanette shares how she found help through the Alzheimer’s Association, support groups, research, and caregiver training, plus the real-world communication shift that changed everything: stop arguing with a brain disease and start meeting your loved one where they are. If you’ve searched for Alzheimer’s caregiving tips, dementia communication strategies, or how to get a diagnosis when your loved one refuses, this is the kind of lived guidance you can use today. We also get honest about memory care and home care: paying more does not always mean dementia-specific expertise. Pastor Jeanette explains what questions to ask, how to set expectations in a facility, and how she handled hard moments like eating, swallowing, hydration, and keeping her husband engaged with dignity. She shares why she founded Dementia Dignified Academy to train caregivers and support Black families who are often told to stay silent, plus why respite care and therapy are not optional when caregiver stress is piling up. Listen, share this with one caregiver who needs a lifeline, and then subscribe, rate, and review so more families can find this community when they need it most. What is one part of caregiving you wish someone had taught you sooner? Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!

The scariest part of caregiving is how quietly it starts, until one day you realize you’re making medical decisions, managing safety, and carrying a grief nobody warned you about. We’re joined by filmmaker, producer, and activist Susie Singer, who cared for her mom through 16 years of Alzheimer’s and turned that experience into storytelling that doesn’t look away. We talk about the early symptoms that don’t feel like “normal aging” and the moment a simple cognitive test makes everything real. Susie gets honest about the common missteps many dementia caregivers make at first, like “testing” a loved one, then shares the mindset shift that changed everything: lean into their world instead of forcing them to stay in ours. We also dig into what happens when care moves beyond home, including why continuity, connection, and dignity matter as much as any medication. Then the conversation turns into a hard investigation of long-term care in the United States. Susie explains how her documentary No Country for Old People exposes nursing home neglect, understaffing as a business model, COVID-era lockouts, avoidable injuries like pressure sores, and the reality of chemical restraint, including off-label sedation with drugs like Depakote. She shares where you can watch the film (Amazon Prime and free on Tubi) and why she helped launch ROAR (Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, and Reform for Long-Term Care), including a National Long-Term Care Walk for Reform on September 27. Visit roar4ltc.org to find out more information.  If you’re an Alzheimer’s caregiver, a dementia caregiver, or someone trying to choose memory care or skilled nursing, this conversation gives language, context, and a way to take action. Subscribe, share this with a family member, and leave a review so more caregivers can find it. Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!

Caregiving can feel like a private struggle, but the numbers and the lived reality say it’s a hidden crisis. We sit down with Diane, a nurse with 53 years of experience and the founder of CaregiverRelief.com, to talk about what dementia caregiving really does to families and why so many caregivers feel like they’re carrying the whole load alone. Diane traces her “why” back to her grandmother’s Alzheimer’s journey and the kind of moment every family hopes for: connection that still breaks through the fog. From there, we get honest about the long arc of caregiving, including how early grief and responsibility shape a caregiver’s life, why burnout is more than “being tired,” and how relationships can wither when your world becomes meds, meals, safety, and constant vigilance. Then we go straight at the system. Diane explains the gaps she sees in dementia care support, why navigating hospitals, rehab, and long-term care can overwhelm anyone without a medical background, and what scares her about cost-sharing and Medicare Advantage co-pays tied to skilled nursing and rehab. Most importantly, she gives practical tools you can use right now: build a caregiver relief group, assign people to check on the caregiver, and put a family caregiver contract in place so time off and support are clear and fair. If you’re caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s or supporting someone who is, hit play, share this with your village, and then subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what kind of help would actually make your week easier. Make sure to visit caregivingrelief.com to learn more about Diane and listen to her podcast.  Exec. Producer/Host: J Smiles Comedy  Producer: Mia Hall  Editor: Annelise Udoye  Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!

Detroit is not playing around when it comes to dementia support, and we want you to see what we saw. We’re pulling back the curtain on our second Parenting Up tour stop in Detroit with Wayne State University and the team that helped make this three-part run happen. Along the way, we share the little moments that make tour life feel real plus the big moments that make you rethink what “living with dementia” can look like. The theme is simple and bold: Detroit cares about dementia. We talk about why it matters to hear directly from people living with dementia, especially when so many are still working, driving, and finding ways to live fully. Their courage challenges the stigma that keeps families quiet and isolated. We also dig into dementia-friendly communities and safe public spaces, from Alzheimer’s Association advocacy to faith communities building routines, training volunteers, and making everyday places feel welcoming instead of scary. We also get practical about early detection and cognitive testing. We unpack what “baseline” means, why clinics and outreach programs can help, and how inexpensive screening can give you something every caregiver needs more of: options. Knowledge really is power when you’re trying to plan care, protect independence, and make decisions on your own terms. If you’re a caregiver, a family member, or just trying to understand Alzheimer’s awareness without the doom, come ride with us and take what works back to your own community. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find us. Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!

A single ticket can feel like a confession when you’re a caregiver. I’m  telling one of the most vulnerable stories I’ve shared yet: how I tried to take care of myself while parenting up and carrying the heavy reality of dementia caregiving after my father died. The only reason I’m responsible for my mama the way I am comes back to that loss, and the grief still shows up in unexpected places. When the New York Knicks finally made the NBA Finals and the schedule landed Game 4 on my dad’s birthday, I couldn’t shake the pull. I wrestle with the price, the practicality, and the voice saying I should stay home and do the “reasonable” thing. But I’ve been practicing surrender and listening for intuition. That decision takes me all the way to Madison Square Garden alone, surrounded by die-hard fans, and straight into a moment I still can’t explain. Here’s the part that changed me: in a sold-out arena, the seat right next to mine stayed empty for the entire game. Add a wild comeback, a loud New York soundtrack, a wave of raw emotion, and suddenly this isn’t only a basketball story, it’s a caregiver burnout story, an Alzheimer’s awareness story, and a grief story about honoring a parent and letting yourself receive comfort. If you’ve ever wondered what real self-care looks like when you’re holding everything together, this one is for you. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, share this with a caregiver in your life, and leave a review if it hits home. What’s the most unexpected place you’ve found healing? Exec. Producer/Host: J Smiles Comedy Producer: Mia Hall  Editor: Annelise Udoye  Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!

Alzheimer’s can make yesterday disappear, but it can also make love get very specific, very fast. I’m talking with Dan Phillips from the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and his story hits on every level: a grandmother diagnosed, a career pivot into advocacy, and then the brutal reality that multiple people he loves are living with the disease. We keep it real about what families actually face, including denial, confusion, and those moments when you realize you’re hearing heartbreaking news for the “first time” over and over again. We break down what “redirecting” really means in dementia caregiving and why picking your battles isn’t giving up, it’s protecting someone’s nervous system. Dan shares how humor can be a lifeline, from a perfectly timed joke to what we call the “lie of love,” the kind, creative story that calms fear when the truth would only reopen the wound. We also talk caregiver stress, why caregivers can go down first, and why getting help doesn’t mean you love your person any less. Sometimes it’s the only way to get back to mother-daughter time instead of patient-caregiver time. Then we zoom out to hope and action: early warning signs people miss, why early diagnosis matters more than ever, and how Alzheimer’s research is changing fast, including biomarker blood tests and treatments that can slow progression for some. Dan also explains the Alzheimer’s Association’s Do What You Love program, where dinner parties, pickleball, golf, church cookouts, and community events turn into funding for research, care, and support. If this conversation makes you feel seen, share it with someone who’s carrying this quietly. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what part of caregiving you want to hear about next. Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!

If the words “dementia test” make you picture needles, scary machines, and a verdict you cannot take back, we get it. That fear keeps a lot of families stuck in delay, denial, and quiet panic. From Detroit’s Rosa Parks Geriatric Center at Wayne State University, we sit down with practitioners to make dementia screening feel simple, practical, and worth doing sooner than later.  We walk through what a real memory screening looks like, including the Mini-Cog: three words, a clock drawing, and a quick check that can become a baseline for your brain health. We also untangle screening versus testing, what happens if the screen shows concern, and why a full evaluation may include paper-and-pencil cognitive tests, depression screening, lab work for reversible causes like thyroid or B12 issues, and brain imaging such as MRI. Dr. Deol also explains newer Alzheimer’s blood tests that look at biomarkers like tau, plus the crucial nuance: a positive marker without symptoms is not the same as a dementia diagnosis.  From missed bills and medication slip-ups to personality changes, cooking hazards, and driving confusion, we share the real-world signs families notice and why “it’s just aging” can be a costly myth. We also name the biggest barriers, including stigma and limited access, and point you toward support like the Alzheimer’s Association and your local Area Agency on Aging. If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with someone you love, and leave a review so more families find it when they need it most. This is episode 3 of a 3-part series. Many thanks to the Rosa Parks Clinic, Wayne State University and everyone involved in this series.  For more information about the A.G.R.E.E.D/GWEP grant, visit: https://agreed.wayne.edu/community-impact Executive Producer/Host: J Smiles Comedy Producer: Mia Hall  Director of Photography/Editor: Annelise Udoye  Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!

Dementia doesn’t show up with a warning label, and it definitely doesn’t erase the person sitting right in front of you. We’re back in Detroit to hear directly from people living with dementia and the care partners walking beside them and the honesty is refreshing, specific, and sometimes even funny in the middle of the hard stuff. First, we talk with Dick and John (with Gerry bringing the real talk as a spouse and support system) about what made them finally say, “Something isn’t quite right.” They describe early signs like repeating themselves, word-finding issues, speech clarity problems, and the tension those changes can create at home. Then we dig into what happened after diagnosis: the relief of naming the problem, the power of telling family instead of keeping secrets, and how early testing can open doors to planning and medical options. We also get into Alzheimer’s treatment realities, including infusion therapy and what it feels like to pursue treatment with a trusted care team. Just as important, we unpack why some people with dementia symptoms won’t qualify for Alzheimer’s infusions if the biomarkers aren’t there, and what it’s like to keep searching for answers. Then members of the National Council of Dementia Minds join virtually to share a wider view: executive function decline at work, REM sleep behavior disorder, getting lost close to home, misdiagnoses, and the exhausting maze of specialists and tests. You’ll leave with practical strategies that actually help: whiteboards, calendars, lists, timers, note-taking, safety planning around driving, and staying social so life stays bigger than the diagnosis. If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with someone who’s worried about cognitive changes, and leave a review so more families can find it. Many thanks to Council of Dementia Minds and Wayne State University. For more information, visit: https://agreed.wayne.edu/community-impact Executive Producer/Host: J Smiles Comedy Producer: Mia Hall Videographer/Editor: Annelise Udoye Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!

If leaving the house feels like rolling the dice when dementia is in the picture, you are not alone and you are not overreacting. We record from Detroit during Brain Health Awareness Month with one big question on the table: where can people living with dementia go in public and truly be safe, welcomed, and understood? Not just at home, not just with a neighbor, but in everyday life like coffee shops, church, and movie theaters.  We sit down with local leaders connected to the Alzheimer’s Association of Metro Detroit and a dementia outreach ministry at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church to get specific about what help exists and how to access it. We talk the 24/7 Alzheimer’s Association hotline, support groups that work for both caregivers and early-stage individuals, and why faith-based communities can be a trusted bridge, especially when stigma and denial slow down early detection. We also share a smart, practical tip we love: telling the ushers so support is already in place before something unexpected happens.  Then we zoom out to what “dementia-friendly” can look like at a city level, with real examples like dementia-friendly movie experiences, museum tours, and symphony performances that welcome movement, talking, and questions. We do not skip the hard stuff either: public misunderstandings, mood swings, paranoia, and the fear of embarrassment that keeps families stuck at home. You will leave with simple scripts and mindset shifts that make outings safer and lighter.  If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a caregiver friend, and leave a review so more families can find these dementia resources and feel brave enough to step back outside. Executive Producer/Host: J Smiles Producer: Mia Hall  Editor: Annelise Udoye  Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!

Forget everything you think you know about “dementia daycare.” I went to Via Cognitive Health in Augusta, Georgia, and what I saw felt less like a holding space and more like a dignity-first cognitive health campus built for real life with dementia. Here, people aren’t called patients. They’re members. And that one word signals the bigger point: they belong, they’re respected, and the day is designed around what they can do right now, not what they’ve lost. We walk through programming that actually fits mild to moderate dementia, including engaging classes, creative studios with adaptive tools, music woven into the environment, and hands-on projects that spark identity and confidence. There’s even “school” style learning through community partnerships, plus electives like gardening that offer both sensory joy and meaningful conversation. The building design itself tells you the truth: thoughtful layout, home-like details, safety without looking clinical, and practical choices that reduce confusion and boost comfort. Then we step into something you rarely hear about: a dementia-only gym. Members get assessed so activities stay safe, but the energy is real, from strength work to bikes to boxing for balance and stability. We also talk caregiver support, including how lifestyle changes like the MIND diet collide with the realities of home care, stress, and constant decision-making. If you’ve been searching for better dementia care, adult day programs, Alzheimer’s support, or caregiver resources, this visit offers a clear model of what “do better” can look like. Subscribe, share this with a caregiver who needs hope, and leave a review so more families can find it. EP/Host: J Smiles Producer/DP: Mia Hall  Editor: Annelise Udoye Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!

Caregiving can feel like you’re carrying a whole life on your back, then smiling through it so nobody worries. Today's episode highlights behind the scenes moments at our 2nd day at the 2026 Alter Dementia Summit--fast, powerful conversations that tell the truth about dementia caregiving and Alzheimer’s awareness, especially the parts families don’t always say out loud. We spoke down with Dr. Fayron Epps to talk about her book, From Faith To Action, and what it really takes to move from belief to daily practice when you’re supporting someone with dementia. She shares how writing became therapy, why her community’s response surprised her, and how honest storytelling can permit other caregivers to finally speak up. Then we get practical with a simple “brain health recipe” you can start right away: monitoring your health, cognitive exercise, physical exercise, and eating right.  We also dig into youth caregivers, because too many young people are quietly doing caregiver work with zero training and zero emotional support. We talk about how dementia behaviors can affect a child, why adults must explain what’s happening, and how faith communities can be part of real dementia education. Finally, we tackle clinical trials and medical mistrust in the Black community, plus where to look for studies, and we close with a crucial brain health pillar that gets neglected: sleep, and why 7 to 9 hours is not laziness, it’s prevention.  If this resonates, subscribe, share this with a caregiver you love, and leave a review so more families can find these tools and feel less alone. EP/Host: J Smiles Comedy Producer: Mia Hall  Videographer/Editor: Annelise Udoye Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!

Dementia doesn’t wait for the “right time,” and neither can we. I’m coming to you from Alter 2026, where Dr. Fayron Epps and her team turn a dementia summit into a real community experience: caregiving conversations, research access, faith-led support, and yes, enough joy to keep us standing when the topic gets heavy. We get into what makes Alter different, starting with the big idea of training the faith community to understand dementia and Alzheimer’s so they can take accurate information back to their churches. We also talk about the complicated truth behind clinical research and why so many of us hesitate, with history like Tuskegee and Henrietta Lacks still sitting in the room. Then we flip the question: if we’re not represented in the studies, how can anyone build the right precursors, parameters, and treatments for our bodies? You’ll also hear why the Youth Summit matters for ages 12 to 24, because too many young people are quietly caregiving without the words, science, or support to make sense of what they’re living through. We push brain health as both prevention and power, from sleep and daily habits to food choices that stack the odds in your favor, plus a taste of my hosting set and on-the-ground interviews with partners like Pastor Janet and Herb Caldwell of the Mama Joe Project, streaming on PBS. If this helped you feel less alone or more ready to act, subscribe, share it with your village, and leave a review so more caregivers can find us. What’s one brain health habit you’re starting this week? Exec. Producer/Host: J Smiles Producer: Mia Hall Editor/Videographer: Annelise Udoye  Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!

Season seven starts with the part of my story that still catches in my throat, even after 14 years: my dad died, and within months my mom began to fall apart in ways that grief alone couldn’t explain. People around her told me I was overreacting, that it was depression, that it was mourning. I had to trust what I knew about my mother, push for testing, and brace for the avalanche of becoming responsible for her care, her safety, and the life she used to run with ease. John from Georgia Focus asks the questions a lot of families quietly carry: how do you balance this, how do you keep going, and what does Alzheimer’s caregiving look like when someone can’t reliably tell you what they need? I talk through late stage realities like limited speech, incontinence, assisted walking, and why caregivers can’t wait for “I’m hungry” or “I need help.” We also get honest about the emotional whiplash, the isolation, and the strange moments that become funny later, because humor isn’t disrespectful, it’s survival. We dig into Alzheimer’s vs dementia, why the terminology matters, and how Parenting Up blends real caregiver stories with the right medical experts, especially clinicians who’ve done caregiving themselves. I also share why I’m cautious about endless research headlines, and what gave us hope after diagnosis: practical changes, including nutrition and treatment, that helped us fight for more good years. If you care for someone with dementia, or you love someone who does, subscribe, share this with your caregiver group chat, and leave a review so more families can find us when they need it most. Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!

J Smiles was in Anaheim for the Alzheimer’s Association Community Leaders Summit, surrounded by people who volunteer hard, fundraise harder, and refuse to let dementia be the final word. The surprising part isn’t the scale of the event, it’s the energy. This isn’t a room full of resignation. It’s a room full of strategy, laughter, and a belief that progress is real, even when it comes in tiny steps. Then caregiving interrupts everything. While she was learning about Alzheimer’s advocacy and dementia research, she get a text from Zetty's caregiver about a scary symptom and a sudden drop in alertness.  In today's episode, we also dig into prevention and brain health in plain language. You’ll hear about Brain Health at Work, how TrialMatch helps people find clinical trials, and a powerful story from the U.S. POINTER study showing measurable improvement through lifestyle changes alone. We talk about movement, food, sleep, social connection, and health monitoring, plus why isolation is a real risk factor. And we name the urgency of reaching the Black community, where Alzheimer’s hits at about twice the rate, with better awareness and participation in research. If you need a dose of hope that still feels honest, this one is for you. Subscribe for more, share it with a caregiver who needs backup, and leave a review so more families can find the show. Exec Producer/Host: J Smiles  Producer: Mia Hall  Editor: Annelise Udoye Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!