The Disappearing Mind Podcast

The Disappearing Mind Podcast

by Senior Living Near Me

Mental Health Nutrition

Season 1

Inflammation, the Brain, and Cognitive Decline: The Food Connection

Could something as simple as your daily meals be quietly shaping your brain health? In this second episode in a special three-part series of The Disappearing Mind, host Dawn Platt sits down with registered dietitian Carrie Bloemers to unpack the powerful connection between chronic inflammation and cognitive decline. With a blend of science, real-life insight, and practical guidance, this conversation reveals how small, sustainable changes can help protect the brain, support caregivers, and bring a sense of control and hope to a journey that often feels anything but. Listen in or watch the video now.

The MIND Diet for Healthy Aging: Foods to Enjoy & Avoid

What if the key to protecting your brain isn’t a breakthrough drug but what’s already on your plate? In this episode of The Disappearing Mind, host Dawn Platt sits down with registered dietitian and author Carrie Bloemers to uncover the powerful connection between nutrition and brain health. From the science behind the MIND diet to deeply personal insights shaped by caregiving, this conversation offers practical, hope-filled strategies that can help delay cognitive decline and improve quality of life as you age. Tune in or watch the video now.

A Table of Memories: How Food Unlocks the Connection in Dementia

In this heartwarming episode of The Disappearing Mind, host Dawn Platt uncovers the powerful connection between food and memory in the dementia journey. Joined by Senior Living Culinary leader Ellie Shively, Dawn explores how simple, familiar kitchen tasks – like shucking corn or baking bread – can unlock deep memories, spark conversation, and bring loved ones back to life in unexpected ways. What begins as a humble activity transforms into a moving reminder that connection doesn’t disappear, it just needs the right doorway to reappear. Tune in to discover how you can create these meaningful moments, and start reconnecting in ways you never thought possible.

Dementia Caregiving in the Social Media Age: What Helps and What Hurts

Caregiving in today’s world doesn’t just happen behind closed doors – it unfolds online, in real time. In this thought-provoking episode of The Disappearing Mind, Host Dawn Platt explores the double-edged sword of social media in the dementia journey. While it can offer powerful connection, education, and reassurance, it can also fuel comparison, spread misinformation, and blur the lines of privacy and dignity. Dawn challenges caregivers to think critically about what they consume and share—offering practical insight to help you protect your peace, your loved one, and your path forward. If you’ve ever turned to social media for answers, support, or hope, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

From Fear to Clarity: Preparing for the First Neurology Appointment

The first neurology appointment can feel overwhelming – months of waiting, unanswered questions, and the fear of what you might hear. In this episode of The Disappearing Mind, Host and Dementia Coach Dawn Platt breaks down exactly what to expect at that first visit, why neurologists play a critical role in diagnosing cognitive changes, and how families can prepare to get the answers and guidance they need. With practical tips, key questions to ask, and reassurance that this appointment is an investigation – not a verdict – Dawn helps replace fear with clarity so you can walk in informed, confident, and ready for the next step in you or your loved one’s dementia journey.

Is It Dementia? Recognizing the Signs Beyond Normal Aging

Is it just normal aging…or something more? In this powerful episode of The Disappearing Mind, host Dawn Platt gently unpacks one of the most emotionally charged questions families face on the dementia journey. With clarity and compassion, Dawn explores the difference between isolated memory lapses and true patterns, the often-overlooked “gray zone,” and why waiting for certainty can cost more than you think. If you’ve ever felt that quiet worry, second-guessed your instincts, or feared what an evaluation might reveal, this conversation will replace uncertainty with insight and remind you that seeking clarity isn’t giving up hope, it’s creating it.

Letting Go or Leveling Up? A Daughter's Journey Exploring GLOW Memory Care

What does real memory care actually look like — and could it be the greatest act of love you give someone? In this heartfelt episode, host Dawn Platt sits down with Danielle, a daughter navigating one of the most difficult decisions a family can face: whether to transition her 84-year-old father, a retired NYPD officer with Alzheimer's, into a memory care community. Dawn pulls back the curtain on Discovery Senior Living's GLOW Memory Care Program — a comprehensive, science-backed approach that goes far beyond basic care. From personalized programming rooted in each resident's unique life story, to specialized dining techniques, music therapy, legacy preservation, and 24/7 family collaboration, GLOW is redefining what it means to truly support someone living with dementia. If you've ever wondered how to honor the person your loved one has always been while keeping them safe, engaged, and deeply connected, this episode is for you.

When Estrangement Meets Obligation: A Son’s Decision to Care for a Mother with Dementia

What happens when a son who's been estranged from his mother for years gets a call from her bank manager saying something's wrong? In this powerful first episode of our new four-part series examining how dementia reshapes relationships, Host Dawn Platt sits down with Jonathan, a married father of two who never imagined he'd become his mother's caregiver. When dementia struck during COVID, Jonathan made the life-altering decision to move her from Connecticut into his home in Florida, despite their complicated past. This isn't a story about having all the answers. It's a raw, honest conversation about obligation, family values, and the emotional weight of doing what feels right when the past remains unresolved. Jonathan's journey, from frantic midnight door alarms to navigating an overwhelming healthcare system to ultimately making the decision for nursing home placement, will resonate with any son or daughter quietly carrying this responsibility, wondering what they would do in the same situation.

Movement Isn't Optional: It's Your Best Anti-Aging Investment

Could one simple change help you or a loved one stay stronger, safer, and more independent with age? In this popular episode, host Dawn Platt welcomes back Dr. Brittany Tallhamer, a physical and occupational therapist who has witnessed firsthand how movement can transform lives at any age or stage of dementia. Dr. Tallhamer reveals the shocking truth about what happens when we stop moving, shares an inspiring recovery story that shocked caregivers, and provides practical exercises that support balance, brain health, and everyday confidence. Whether you're managing arthritis, supporting a loved one living with Alzheimer's or dementia, or simply want to maintain your wellness as you age, this episode delivers practical strategies you can start today — no gym required. Tune in to learn why we don't lose mobility because we age; we age faster because we stop moving.

Building Cognitive Reserve: Brain Health Activities for Dementia Prevention

Your brain has a built-in protection system called cognitive reserve, and the latest research shows you can strengthen it at any age. In this fourth episode of our January Wellness Series for Brain Health, Host Dawn Platt reveals how simple daily activities can build your brain's resilience against cognitive decline. From morning mental challenges to evening reflection practices, Dawn shares evidence-based strategies that go beyond generic "brain health" advice, offering practical routines you can start today. Whether you're looking to protect your own cognitive future or support a loved one with dementia, discover why small, consistent actions matter more than you think, and how Dawn used these exact techniques to keep her mother functioning at her highest level until her final week of life.

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