Advertise on podcast: Dementia Careblazers

Why does dementia look so different from one family to the next? This is a question I hear from caregivers all the time. Two people can have the same diagnosis and be the same age, yet their symptoms and caregiving challenges can look completely different. In this video, I break down what the 2025 NIH dementia progress report helps explain about why dementia does not follow one clear or predictable path. I cover what researchers are learning about dementia risk and protection, what is happening in the brain beyond memory loss, and what the science is showing about care planning and the caregiving experience. This is Part 2 of a two-part series based on the 2025 NIH dementia research update.  If you missed Part 1, you can find it here: https://youtu.be/Zzvdk5isef4 You can read the full NIH progress report here: https://www.nia.nih.gov/about/2025-nih-dementia-research-progress-report Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose here: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-yt

Are we actually making progress in dementia research, or does it just feel like nothing has changed?  In this video, I break down what the latest dementia research really shows based on the most recent data from the National Institutes of Health. We will talk about what is changing in detection, treatment, and prevention, and what this actually means for family caregivers making decisions right now. This is Part 1 of a two part series. In Part 2, I will go deeper into why dementia happens, who is most at risk, and what research is revealing about care quality and the caregiver experience. Read the full report here: https://www.nia.nih.gov/about/2025-nih-dementia-research-progress-report

In this video, I share what dementia caregivers need most...and it's probably not what you've been told. This insight comes from the longest study ever conducted on human health and wellbeing: the Harvard Study on Adult Development, which followed people for more than 85 years. What researchers found challenges common assumptions about success, strength, and resilience. I break down what the science actually says, why this matters so much for caregivers in the middle of dementia care, and how connection and emotional safety play a powerful role in both caregiver health and dementia care outcomes.  Read about the study here: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been-showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life/ If you're feeling stretched thin, disconnected, or unsure how to keep going long term, this video will help you reframe what truly supports you, and your loved one, as the journey continues. Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose here: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-yt

Many families look back and realize the early signs of dementia were there long before the diagnosis. In this video, I share real examples from caregivers who noticed subtle changes in hindsight, things that didn't seem like dementia at the time.  These early signs often go beyond memory loss and show up in daily routines, personality, decision-making, and behavior. If you're wondering whether what you're seeing in a loved one is normal aging or something more, this video will help you think differently about early warning signs and when it may be worth getting more information.  📩 Get weekly caregiver education and support in my free Dementia Dose newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-yt

Why can someone with dementia remember a delusion in vivid detail, yet forget what actually happened? In this video, I explain why dementia affects emotional memory differently from factual memory and why delusions can feel so real and unshakable. When you understand what's happening in the brain, it becomes easier to respond with comfort instead of argument.  If you've ever felt frustrated trying to correct or reason with a loved one who believes something that isn't true, this will help you understand why logic doesn't work and what does. Read the Studies: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11309671/  https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00331/full Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose here: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-yt Visit Our Website: https://careblazers.com https://www.instagram.com/Dementia_Careblazers https://www.facebook.com/DementiaCareblazers

In this video, I explore whether facial changes could be an early sign of dementia. Over the past few years, researchers have uncovered intriguing evidence showing that the brain impacts the face, and that subtle changes in facial expression and movement may be linked to dementia. This does not mean dementia can be diagnosed by looking at someone's face. But it does help explain why caregivers sometimes notice fewer smiles, less expression, or slower emotional reactions long before memory problems become obvious. I walk you through what the research is actually showing, what these facial changes may indicate, and just as importantly, what they do not mean. You'll also learn why a lack of visible expression doesn't mean your loved one isn't feeling, connecting, or enjoying what's happening. If you've noticed changes and wondered what they might mean, this video will help you make sense of what you're seeing.

Is this dementia… or is it just their personality? In this video, I explain why dementia can intensify longstanding personality traits, including patterns often seen in narcissistic, borderline, or histrionic personalities. You'll learn the brain science behind what's happening, why it feels so emotionally confusing, and how to respond in ways that protect both you and your loved one.

Dementia can change far more than memory — it can change how a person sees the world, even when their eye exam looks "normal." In this video, I explain the most common vision changes in dementia, including tunnel vision, depth perception problems, color and contrast loss, and visual misrecognition. I also cover less common symptoms like motion blindness and visual hallucinations. You'll learn what's part of normal aging versus what's caused by dementia, and practical ways to make your loved one's environment safer and less confusing, from lighting and contrast tips to simple home adjustments. If your loved one is bumping into objects, startled easily, or saying things "disappeared," this video will help explain why.

Many caregivers feel overwhelmed, resentful, or alone long before they ever realize that what they're experiencing is normal in dementia caregiving. In today's video, Carolyn shares her deeply honest story of caring for her mom. a relationship marked by decades of tension, and how everything changed once she learned a new way to understand dementia and respond differently. If you've ever felt exhausted, guilty, trapped, or unsure how to keep going… this conversation is for you.

Have you ever asked your loved one with dementia a simple question… and then waited far longer than you expected for an answer? Those long pauses can feel confusing or even worrying, but they're actually telling us something important about what's happening inside the brain. In this video, I break down why people with dementia often take so long to respond, what's happening with processing speed and neural pathways, and how you can support them in a way that reduces frustration for both of you. This is one of the most common questions I hear from caregivers, and understanding this piece can make communication feel calmer, easier, and more connected. Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose here: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-yt

When your loved one moves into memory care, it's easy to focus on the big details- paperwork, doctors, medications. But sometimes, it's the small things that make the biggest difference. In today's video, I'm sharing simple but powerful ways to make your loved one's stay in memory care more comfortable. These are practical tips that care staff say they wish more families knew, things like the best types of clothing, how to make dressing easier, and how tiny adjustments can improve comfort, safety, and dignity. Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose here: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-yt  #Careblazers #MemoryCare #DementiaCare #dementiatips

Have you noticed your loved one with dementia leaning to one side when they sit or walk? This might look strange or even alarming, but there's often an explanation.  In today's podcast, I'm breaking down what's known as Pisa Syndrome, what it is, what causes it, and what you can do if you notice this happening in your loved one. We'll talk about how it can show up in both dementia and Parkinson's disease, how certain medications can sometimes play a role, and what steps to take with your loved one's doctor. Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose, here: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-yt   #Careblazers #DementiaCare #PisaSyndrome #DementiaTips

Many caregivers are asking about the surprising connection between lithium and dementia after a recent Harvard study sparked headlines. In this video, I break down what researchers actually found, what it could mean for Alzheimer's disease, and what caregivers should not do without medical guidance.   You'll learn how lithium affects brain cells, why scientists are hopeful, and the important safety reminders every caregiver should know. Read the study here: https://hms.harvard.edu/news/could-lithium-explain-treat-alzheimers-disease