The Disappearing Mind Podcast

The Disappearing Mind Podcast

by Senior Living Near Me

Mental Health Nutrition

Season 1

Nutrition and Brain Health: How Diet Affects Dementia and Cognitive Decline

In this third episode of our "New Year, Stronger Mind & Body: January Wellness Series for Brain Health," Host Dawn Platt welcomes back National Director of Celebrations and Fitness Tamara Bowen to explore the powerful connection between nutrition and cognitive health. Discover why nearly 30% of adults over 65 face diabetes-related cognitive decline, learn simple hydration hacks that can reverse confusion in seniors, and hear inspiring stories of residents who transformed their lives through better eating habits. From "hydration stations" to brain-healthy meal planning tips you can start today, Tamara reveals how small dietary changes can fuel your body, sharpen your mind, and even help combat dementia. Plus, learn about exciting new research on blood sugar's impact on brain health that could change everything. Whether you're caring for a loved one or looking to protect your own cognitive future, this episode offers practical, doable strategies that prove it's never too late to eat your way to a stronger mind.

Brain Health is the New Heart Health: What Everyone Needs to Know About Dementia Prevention

What if protecting your brain health was just as important as protecting your heart? In this second episode of our “New Year, Stronger Mind & Body: January Wellness Series for Brain Health,” Host Dawn Platt reveals why dementia isn't an inevitable part of aging, and what you can do right now to build your brain's natural defense system. Discover the surprising lifestyle habits that can strengthen your cognitive reserve at any age, learn to spot the crucial difference between normal forgetfulness and early warning signs, and understand why experts are saying "what's good for the heart is good for the brain." Whether you're concerned about your own cognitive future or supporting a loved one, Dawn shares practical, science-backed strategies that could make all the difference.

Senior Fitness & Dementia Prevention: Why Movement Matters for Brain Health

Is it too late to transform your brain health? Absolutely not. In this energizing premiere of Healthy Body, Engaged Mind: January Wellness Series for Brain Health, host Dawn Platt welcomes wellness expert Tamara Bowen to shatter the myth that fitness and movement are out of reach for aging adults. Discover why washing dishes, tending a garden, and even folding laundry are powerful tools for building cognitive reserve, and why you don't need to run a marathon to see life-changing results. Whether you're caring for someone with dementia or looking to strengthen your own brain health, this episode reveals the simple, joyful movements that create independence, reduce wandering, and bring purpose to every day. Small steps, big results. It's never too late to start.

Rediscovering Holiday Joy: Dementia-Friendly Celebrations for Families

Join Host Dawn Platt and guest Regina Trent, a senior memory care director, for the third episode in our holiday series, "Dementia & the Holidays: Support, Stories & Solutions," as they explore how to rediscover the magic of the holidays when dementia changes everything you once knew. Regina shares how families can let go of past expectations and create new traditions that bring genuine joy – from decorating trees and wreaths together to transforming a simple outing into an unforgettable memory. Learn why simplicity beats perfection, how timing your celebrations can make all the difference, and why a cup of cocoa in a vintage Santa mug might mean more than an elaborate gathering. This episode offers honest, heartfelt guidance on balancing connection with overstimulation, honoring grief while finding joy, and reimagining what the holidays can be when you focus on what truly matters: comfort, familiarity, and being present together. This is about more than adapting, it's about rediscovering the heart of the holidays in ways that honor both your loved one and yourself.

The Complete Family Guide to Dementia with Dr. Brent Forester

In Episode 2 of Dementia & the Holidays: Support, Stories & Solutions, host Dawn Platt welcomes Dr. Brent P. Forester, geriatric psychiatrist at Tufts University School of Medicine and co-author of The Complete Family Guide to Dementia. Dr. Forester reveals a truth every caregiver needs to understand: dementia isn't just a diagnosis—it's a family disease that reshapes relationships, finances, and daily life in ways no other illness does. Discover why early diagnosis is critical, how to navigate the emotional complexity of becoming your parents' decision-maker, and proven strategies for caring smarter instead of harder. Whether holiday family gatherings are bringing these challenges into sharper focus or you're simply seeking guidance for the road ahead, this conversation offers the clarity and compassion you've been looking for.

Dementia and the Holidays: Rethinking Gift Giving with Expert Advice

Welcome to the first episode of our holiday series, Dementia & the Holidays: Support, Stories & Solutions! Host Dawn Platt sits down with Regina Trent, a Senior Memory Care Director, to tackle one of the season's toughest questions: What do you give someone you love who's living with dementia? From re-gifting a beloved scarf that sparked pure joy to making playlists that unlock forgotten memories, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom, touching stories, and dementia stage-specific gift ideas that honor the person behind the diagnosis. Dawn and Regina also dive into Amazon's popular gift list for people with dementia and reveal what a dementia professional really thinks about those recommendations—the good, the questionable, and what's actually missing. If you've ever felt lost staring at generic "top 10" lists, this episode will help you discover what truly matters: your presence, not just your presents.

Cracking the Code: Understanding Dementia Behavioral Triggers

Every behavior tells a story – but are you listening? In this powerful episode, the fourth and final in our Alzheimer's Awareness Month series, Host and Dementia Coach Dawn Platt helps you crack the code on behavioral triggers in Alzheimer's and other dementias. Discover why agitation, wandering, and resistance aren't random acts of defiance, but desperate attempts to communicate unmet needs in a confusing world. Dawn shares her proven detective work approach to identifying hidden triggers – from sensory overload to uncomfortable clothing – and teaches you how to use observation, validation, and simple environmental changes to reduce distress for both you and your loved one. Stop reacting to behaviors and start understanding them.

Inside the Mind of Alzheimer's Disease: Experience a Day Through Their Eyes

In this third episode of our Alzheimer's Awareness Month series, Host Dawn Platt takes you on an immersive journey through the mind of someone living with dementia to explore what a day is really like for them – from the disorienting confusion of waking up in the morning to the anxiety of sundowning at dusk. Experience the fear of not recognizing your own reflection, the struggle to put on a shirt, and the overwhelming panic of not knowing where "home" is. But this isn't just storytelling – Dawn weaves in practical coaching strategies for caregivers at every turn, showing how gentle guidance, validation, and empathy can transform these challenging moments into opportunities for connection. Whether you're a caregiver, family member, or simply want to understand dementia better, this episode will change how you see Alzheimer's disease forever. Because when memories fade, love remains.

Beyond Alzheimer's: Understanding the 100+ Types of Dementia

Most people are surprised to learn that Alzheimer’s disease represents just one of more than 100 types of dementia. This staggering fact is often overlooked—and yet it has profound implications for diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life. In the second episode of our Alzheimer’s Awareness Month series, Host Dawn Platt highlights why understanding the specific type of dementia is essential, not optional. Families often assume all dementia is Alzheimer’s, but each type presents differently and requires tailored approaches to care. Discover why one woman's misdiagnosis changed everything about her care, learn the critical differences between vascular dementia's sudden drops and Lewy body's fluctuating clarity, and understand why getting the right diagnosis could transform your loved one's treatment plan. Whether you are walking this journey with a parent, spouse, other family member or friend, this conversation will broaden your perspective and empower you to advocate more effectively. Join the 55 million families worldwide committed to facing dementia with knowledge, clarity, and support.

What is Alzheimer's Disease? The Fundamentals Everyone Should Understand

Join Dawn Platt as she kicks off a powerful series for National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, exploring the truth behind a disease that affects nearly 7 million Americans—and counting. This isn't just about forgetting where you put your keys. Discover why a grandmother who can recall her wedding day can't remember how to make her morning tea, learn the critical difference between normal aging and Alzheimer's, and find out why early detection could change everything. Dawn shares real stories of families navigating this journey and reveals the surprising ways music, emotion, and connection can reach parts of the brain untouched by the disease. Whether you're caring for a loved one, noticing changes in yourself, or simply want to understand what millions face daily, this episode offers hope, clarity, and practical guidance. Because even as memories fade, the heart still remembers love.

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