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Dementia & Families: A Balancing Act

Dementia & Families: A Balancing Act

by Kelly A Bertenshaw, MA CCC SLP ECDCS

Season 2

Dementia and Eating Safely: When Swallowing Changes

In this episode, Kelly explains how dementia affects swallowing and increases the risk for pneumonia. She simplifies the process involved for listeners by breaking it into three phases, and offers guidance on balancing safety, nutrition, and a loved one's dignity when facing feeding refusals or diet modifications. FACEBOOK PAGE: Please leave questions for Kelly, or to set up a chat! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103 Please consider donating to support A BALANCING ACT! https://buymeacoffee.com/navigatingmemoryloss Resources Swallow Management https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/management-of-swallowing-difficulties-in-adults-who-are-at-risk-of-aspiration/ Caregiver Guide https://swallowingdisorderfoundation.com/caregivers-guide-dysphagia-dementia/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=102699069&gbraid=0AAAAADtQfMv-JqHptnoQUOcYhaKiQEaPV&gclid=Cj0KCQjw79nUBhCgARIsADSHka0ttVrj8dz6lf-d3jFk9nwuUXTnVddFULZCjF0CE58yTeocWmGF3aYaAoLXEALw_wcB Swallow Evaluation https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/dysphagia-tests/ IDDS Dietary Modification Levels https://pspawareness.com/blogs/psp-q-a/the-international-dysphagia-diet-standardisation-initiative-iddsi?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22793832213&gbraid=0AAAAA97ERqIYhyGDMhfP5oeiVAZB98l_j&gclid=Cj0KCQjw79nUBhCgARIsADSHka2pn6z6w2yzDE9V54nnI4UXKFv414fSh4ZuQfV7aOSHajQjxDBFuQAaAuZ2EALw_wcB The information shared in this podcast is for EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES only, and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Kelly A. Bertenshaw, any guests or contributors to the podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of A Balancing Act: Helping Families Navigate Memory Loss be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.

The Dementia Whiplash: Good Day, or Bad One?

This episode of A Balancing Act tackles the "whiplash" of sudden ups and downs in dementia caregiving. Why abilities seem to flicker day to day, when a sudden change warrants a call to the doctor, and how to become a detective when there's no clear medical cause. Kelly offers practical ways to respond with curiosity and flexibility instead of fear when a loved one's condition unexpectedly shifts. FACEBOOK PAGE: Please leave questions for Kelly, or set up a chat! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103 Please consider donating to support A BALANCING ACT! https://buymeacoffee.com/navigatingmemoryloss RESOURCES: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/living-with-dementia/behaviour/ https://theconversation.com/why-is-my-loved-one-with-dementia-sometimes-there-and-sometimes-not-200439 The information shared in this podcast is for EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES only, and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Kelly A. Bertenshaw, any guests or contributors to the podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of A Balancing Act: Helping Families Navigate Memory Loss be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Keeping The Brain Connected: Hearing Aids, Glasses and Dementia

Could untreated hearing or vision loss be putting the brain at greater risk? In this episode, Kelly discusses how sensory loss is linked to cognitive decline and dementia, and why glasses and hearing aids may play an important role in keeping the brain working and connected. FACEBOOK PAGE: Please leave questions for Kelly, or set up a chat! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103 Please consider donating to support A BALANCING ACT! https://buymeacoffee.com/navigatingmemoryloss Resources https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/08/well/mind/hearing-vision-dementia-risk.html?unlocked_article_code=1.21A.GP4j.SN3JhrRi0gLQ&smid=url-share https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/hearing-aid-reasons/ The information shared in this podcast is for EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES only, and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Kelly A. Bertenshaw, any guests or contributors to the podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of A Balancing Act: Helping Families Navigate Memory Loss be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Dementia & Family Reunions: When Remembering Becomes A Test

Family reunions can be overwhelming for a loved one with dementia. The noise, the chaos, and everpresent fear of the question: "Do you remember?'. In this episode, Kelly explains why this can happen, ways to lower your loved one's stress and simple conversational techniques that meet your loved one at a level they can succeed. Success isn't about what they remember. It's about feeling included and loved. FACEBOOK PAGE: Please leave questions for Kelly, or set up a chat! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103 Please consider donating to support A BALANCING ACT! https://buymeacoffee.com/navigatingmemoryloss Resources: "6 Tips For Dementia-FriendlyFamily Gatherings" https://www.amica.ca/conversations/six-expert-tips-for-dementia-friendly-family-gatherings "How to Successfully Include Loved Ones with Dementia in Family Gatherings" https://familymattershc.com/including-loved-ones-with-dementia/ The information shared in this podcast is for EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES only, and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Kelly A. Bertenshaw, any guests or contributors to the podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of A Balancing Act: Helping Families Navigate Memory Loss be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.

"My Memory Has Changed. Now What?"

Your memory feels different, but your cognitive tests are normal. So now what? In this episode, Kelly explores what Subjective Cognitive Decline really means, why it happens and how it's different from Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia. Finally, she explains why normal cognitive test results don't always end the conversation. FACEBOOK PAGE: Please leave questions for Kelly, or set up a chat! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103 Please consider donating to support A BALANCING ACT! https://buymeacoffee.com/navigatingmemoryloss Resources THE CHARACTERIZATION OF SUBJECT COGNITIVE DECLINE https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7062546/ SUBJECTIVE COGNITIVE DECLINE: A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-aging-data/media/pdfs/subjective-cognitive-decline-508.pdf MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/related_conditions/mild-cognitive-impairment?utm_source=google-grant&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=google_grant&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1073831728&gbraid=0AAAAAD14_Nhi5s2Nr6FfrmNmjHxNvG30P&gclid=CjwKCAjw6rfSBhAqEiwA_yocpr6yPdFAyE1Hdon6k2j9JEtzM91efnNKvu-OAQ0H64U-JD_tnBYN_BoCFFkQAvD_BwE The information shared in this podcast is for EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES only, and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Kelly A. Bertenshaw, any guests or contributors to the podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of A Balancing Act: Helping Families Navigate Memory Loss be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Dementia and Decoding Repetitive Behaviors

In this episode, Kelly explores why repetition develops in a brain affected by dementia, what it reveals about your loved one's inner experience, and how shifting your perspective can transform frustration into insight. Because understanding the why behind these behaviors is the first step to responding with more confidence and less stress. FACEBOOK PAGE: Please leave questions for Kelly, or set up a chat! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103 Please consider donating to support A BALANCING ACT! https://buymeacoffee.com/navigatingmemoryloss Resources Behavior Management Strategies – Understanding Dementia Behaviors: Repetitive Speech or Actions (Perseveration) https://www.caregivercalifornia.org/2023/04/21/behavior-management-strategies-understanding-dementia-behaviors-repetitive-speech-or-actions-perseveration/ Managing Repetition in Alzheimer’s Behavior: Caregiver Tips https://www.alzra.org/alzheimers-behavior-issues/repetition/ The information shared in this podcast is for EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES only, and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Kelly A. Bertenshaw, any guests or contributors to the podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of A Balancing Act: Helping Families Navigate Memory Loss be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.

When Dementia Care Need Change Fast

Don't wait for a crisis. If someone you love is showing early signs of memory loss, the time to plan is now. In this episode, Kelly walks you through how to build a simple, realistic three-year care roadmap before urgency makes the decisions for you. FACEBOOK PAGE: Please leave questions for Kelly, or set up a chat! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103 Please consider donating to support A BALANCING ACT! https://buymeacoffee.com/navigatingmemoryloss Resources https://www.alzheimers.gov/life-with-dementia/planning-after-diagnosis#tips-for-planning https://www.alzheimers.gov/life-with-dementia/planning-after-diagnosis#tips-for-planning The information shared in this podcast is for EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES only, and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Kelly A. Bertenshaw, any guests or contributors to the podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of A Balancing Act: Helping Families Navigate Memory Loss be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Dementia and Hoarding: Fear of the Void

This episode explores dementia-related hoarding, why it happens, what it means, and how families can respond with compassion. Kelly reframes hoarding not as stubbornness or manipulation, but as the brain's way of coping with memory loss. As dementia progresses, people anchor their sense of identity, security, and memory to physical objects, making removal feel threatening and distressing. FACEBOOK PAGE: Please leave questions for Kelly, or set up a chat! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103 Please consider donating to support A BALANCING ACT! https://buymeacoffee.com/navigatingmemoryloss Resources https://www.agingcare.com/articles/how-to-handle-hoarding-behaviors-in-dementia-patients-133679.htm https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/stages-and-symptoms/dementia-symptoms/hiding-hoarding-losing https://alzfdn.org/alzheimers-today-volume-17-number-3/hoarding-and-dementia/ The information shared in this podcast is for EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES only, and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Kelly A. Bertenshaw, any guests or contributors to the podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of A Balancing Act: Helping Families Navigate Memory Loss be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Weight Loss and Dementia

This episode explores why people with dementia often experience significant weight loss and changes in eating and drinking habits. Kelly explains how aging can affect eat and drinking, as well as how dementia can disrupt hunger and thirst signals, sensory processing, and the brain's ability to complete the steps involved in eating. She includes practical strategies to simplify mealtimes, prevent dehydration, and reduce caregiver stress. FACEBOOK PAGE: Please leave questions for Kelly, or set up a chat! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103 Please consider donating to support A BALANCING ACT! https://buymeacoffee.com/navigatingmemoryloss Resources https://www.dementia.org.au/living-dementia/home-life/eating-and-dementia https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/living-with-dementia/changes-eating-habits-food-preference https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/food-eating?utm_source=google-grant&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=google_grant&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=90372426&gbraid=0AAAAAD14_NhWnrr-bvx0B-bwux9JRzUaF&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_IXQBhCkARIsADqELbJElVmccAgy8omnYc4mqN8eYv6EEpVG6CDSPovQC4NZPdFyNcBQEisaAsHQEALw_wcB The information shared in this podcast is for EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES only, and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Kelly A. Bertenshaw, any guests or contributors to the podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of A Balancing Act: Helping Families Navigate Memory Loss be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Dementia and Refusing Medications

When a loved one with dementia refuses their medications, it can feel like an emergency. The risks are real, the pressure is immediate, and the instinct to push for compliance is strong. But in many cases, that resistance is not about defiance—it’s communication. In this episode, Kelly breaks down what’s really behind medication refusal in memory loss, and guides us through methods focusing on protecting both safety and dignity, offering a more effective way to navigate these moments without escalating conflict or damaging trust. FACEBOOK PAGE: Please leave questions for Kelly, or set up a chat! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103 Please consider donating to support A BALANCING ACT! https://buymeacoffee.com/navigatingmemoryloss Resources: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/medical/parent-refusing-medication/ https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/senior-health/elderly-parent-wont-take-medication?srsltid=AfmBOoqVi7cqZ_fmYk3NlUY5Ebcup3fZfdLOlpzP1V9NC7NT18G5-8ap The information shared in this podcast is for EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES only, and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Kelly A. Bertenshaw, any guests or contributors to the podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of A Balancing Act: Helping Families Navigate Memory Loss be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.

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