Spotlight on Care: Alzheimer's Caregiving
Welcome to Spotlight on Care, the podcast where we share stories, experiences, tips and advice on caring for loved ones affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Spotlight on Care is produced by the University of California, Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, UCI MIND. Please subscribe to the Spotlight on Care podcast wherever you listen. For more information, visit mind.uci.edu. What would like to hear about next? Email us at mwitbrac@uci.edu.
Episodes
59 episodes
Role Changes in Caregiving with Martin Schreiber Part 2
In this episode, Steve and Virginia speak again with Marty Schreiber about the deeper emotional side of dementia care. Marty explains why simple things like holding hands or singing are so important for staying connected with a loved one.He...
Role Changes in Caregiving with Martin Schreiber
In this episode, Steve and Virginia speak with former Wisconsin governor, author and Alzheimer’s advocate Marty Schreiber about his personal caregiving journey with his wife, Elaine, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease. Marty shares how the expe...
Approach to Elder Law with Fay Blix
In this episode, Steve and Virginia speak with elder law attorney Fay Blix about the critical importance of early legal planning after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Fay explains how stigma, fear, and denial often delay planning, and emphasizes invo...
Being Patient with Deborah Kan
In this episode of Spotlight on Care, hosts Virginia Naeve and Steve O’Leary are joined by Deborah Kan, the founder of Being Patient , a leading digital resource for Alzheimer’s and dementia information. Drawing from her personal experie...
Celebrations and Holidays
This special holiday episode of Spotlight on Care offers practical, compassionate guidance for planning celebrations with loved ones living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Co-hosts Virginia and Steve share personal stories and hel...
Coping with Challenging Situations in Dementia Care with Teepa Snow
Join Steve and Virginia for an enlightening conversation with renowned dementia care educator Teepa Snow as we explore how to cope with challenging situations when supporting people living with dementia. Teepa shares her compassionate, person-c...
Importance of Sleep with Dr. Bryce Mander
In today’s episode of Spotlight on Care, co-hosts Steve and Virginia welcome Dr. Bryce Mander for an in-depth conversation on the critical role of sleep in healthy aging and dementia prevention. Drawing on his expertise in sleep science, Dr. Ma...
THE CMS Guide Model with Valerie George, PA and Sonia Sehgal, MD
In this episode, co-hosts Steve and Virginia welcome back Valerie George and Sonia Sehgal to discuss the GUIDE program (Guiding and Improved Dementia Experience), a groundbreaking care initiative launched by CMS in 2023. The GUIDE program offer...
Caring for a Parent with Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease with Andrea Hughes
Steve and Virginia sit down with Andrea Hughes, a dedicated caregiver whose mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Featured in the PBS documentary Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s, Andrea shares her personal journey n...
The Value of a Geriatrician with Valerie George, PA and Sonia Sehgal, MD
Steve and Virginia explore the vital role that geriatricians play in diagnosing and managing dementia and other cognitive symptoms in older adults. The co-hosts are joined by Valerie George, a certified physician assistant with UCI Health, and ...
Caring for a Parent vs a Spouse
In this episode, Steve and Virginia explore the emotional and practical differences between caring for a parent versus a spouse with dementia. Virginia emphasizes the role reversal and challenges of managing her mother’s daily needs and finance...
Finding Strength in Support Groups with Ruth Ann Rousseau
Virginia and Steve are joined by Ruth Ann Rousseau, a caregiver and support group leader, to discuss the vital role that support groups play for dementia caregivers. Ruth Ann highlights how these groups provide resources, confidence, and commun...
Delusions in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease with Dr. David Sultzer
In this episode of Spotlight on Care, Steve and Virginia explore the complex and often distressing experience of delusions in dementia with David Sultzer, MD, the Clinical Research Director at UCI MIND and professor of Psychiatry & Human Be...
Re-release: Legal Issues After a Dementia Diagnosis with Stephen Magro
Virginia and Steve discuss the legal concerns that arise after a dementia diagnosis with Orange County probate attorney, Stephen Magro, JD, who has 30 years of experience in elder law. Mr. Magro outlines the legal steps needed to help pro...
The Journey Through Grief with Dr. Renée Harmon
Co-hosts Virginia and Steve are joined by Renée Brown Harmon, MD, a retired family physician, who shares her eight-year journey as a caregiver for her husband, Harvey, diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's at age 49. Dr. Harmon discusses the c...
Re-release: Keeping the Holidays and Celebrations Happy, Healthy and Safe with Dr. Miriam Galindo
(From the Archives) Virginia and Steve speak with Dr. Galindo, who cared for her father with Alzheimer's disease and helps the listeners understand the importance of simplifying the holidays to maximize enjoyment for everyone. She gives t...
Re-release: Learning to Adjust with Dee Ransom
(From the Archives) Dee Ransom joins Steve and Virginia to discuss some of the adjustments she has had to make being a caregiver for her husband, John, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease. Dee shares her experience learning to advocate for her h...
Navigating Relationships with a Parent Who Was Abusive or Absent with Pamela D. Wilson
In this episode of Spotlight on Care, co-hosts Steve and Virginia are joined once again by caregiving expert Pamela D. Wilson to discuss the challenges adult children face when caring for parents who were absent, abusive, or neglectful. They ex...
Caregiver Resource Center
In this episode, Diana Marquez-Siemers and Rachel Smyth from the Caregiver Resource Center (CRC) provide expert insights on the challenges and solutions for families caring for loved ones with dementia. Join Steve and Virginia as they learn abo...
Caring for Difficult Parents with Pamela D. Wilson
Virginia and Steve are joined by Pamela D. Wilson, MS, BS/BA, NCG, CSA.– an international resource for caregivers with over two decades of experience in aging and caregiving– known for her consultations, advocacy, and her book, "The Caregiving ...
Helpful Caregiving Tips with Virginia Naeve (Part 2)
Virginia rejoins Steve in this concluding 2 part series on caregiving strategies. In this episode, they provide insights into activities and products that can be utilized to enhance daily living and simplify routine tasks. Tune in for valuable ...
Helpful Caregiving Tips with Virginia Naeve (Part 1)
Steve interviews Virginia about tips she has compiled over the years to improve the caregiving journey. Listen along as they delve into topics on healthcare visits, money matters, safety, and mood changes. This is part 1 of a 2 part serie...
Supporting patients and families; a geriatrician’s perspective with Dr. Nathaniel Chin
Virginia and Steve are joined by Nathaniel Chin, MD, a geriatrician, associate professor at the University of Wisconsin Department of Medicine, Medical Director of the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, and host and creator of the p...
Advances in Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Care with Ahmad Sajjadi MD,PhD
Steve and Virginia sit down with Ahmad Sajjadi, MD, PhD, associate professor of Neurology at UC Irvine and research clinician at UCI MIND, to discuss some of the recent advances that have been made in Alzheimer’s disease research and care. He d...
Cognitive testing with Dr. Michelle McDonnell
Steve and Virginia are joined by Dr. Michelle McDonnell, a neuropsychologist at UCI MIND, who discusses the importance of cognitive testing. She discusses the process involved in the testing, tips to encourage your loved one to participate, and...
