Navigating Modern, Meaningful Caregiving

Navigating modern, meaningful caregiving. When caring for someone with dementia, their past is key to their present. Understanding their life story – their passions, values, and beliefs before diagnosis – equips caregivers to navigate a more meaningful care journey. These details aren't relics of the past; they are the very essence of who your loved one is, even when memories dim. By sharing this personal narrative with healthcare professionals, you empower them to make choices that resonate with your loved one's core identity. Imagine, for instance, a former teacher with a passion for literature. Music therapy sessions featuring classic poems could spark joy and connection, even if they can't recall the author's name. This is the power of weaving your loved one's story into the fabric of their care. Our Guest Dr. Allison Applebaum is an Associate Attending Psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), and an Associate Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine. She is the Founding Director of the Caregivers Clinic at MSK, the first program of its kind to provide comprehensive psychosocial care to family members and friends of patients who are in the caregiving role. Dr. Applebaum’s program of research focuses broadly on the development and dissemination of supportive services for family caregivers. She has published over 100 articles, reviews, and book chapters on caregiving, and is the editor of the textbook Cancer Caregivers (Oxford University Press, 2019). Dr. Applebaum has received competitive funding for her research, including awards from the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Nursing Research, and the American Cancer Society. She is also the author of the recently published narrative nonfiction book, Stand By Me: A Guide to Navigating Modern, Meaningful Caregiving (Simon Element, 2024). Grab Stand By Me Here ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Related Episodes: Love & Dementia: The Challenges of Caregiving Together Yes, And: Experience Comedy in Dementia Caregiving ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sign Up for more Advice & Wisdom - email newsletter. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please help us keep our show going by supporting our sponsors. Thank you. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Feeling overwhelmed? HelpTexts can be your pocket therapist. Going through a tough time? HelpTexts offers confidential support delivered straight to your phone via text message. Whether you're dealing with grief, caregiving stress, or just need a mental health boost, their expert-guided texts provide personalized tips and advice. Sign up for a year of support and get: Daily or twice-weekly texts tailored to your situation Actionable strategies to cope and move forward Support for those who care about you (optional) HelpTexts makes getting help easy and convenient. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Make Your Brain Span Match Your LifeSpan Relevate from NeuroReserve I've been focusing a lot on taking care of my brain health, & I've found this supplement called RELEVATE to be incredibly helpful. It provides me with 17 nutrients that support brain function & help keep me sharp. Since you're someone I care about, I wanted to share this discovery with you. You can order it with my code: FM15 & get 15% OFF your order. With Relevate nutritional supplement, you get science-backed nutrition to help protect your brain power today and for years to come. You deserve a brain span that lasts as long as your lifespan. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Join Fading Memories On Social Media! If you've enjoyed this episode, please share this podcast with other caregivers! You'll find us on social media at the following links. Instagram Twitter LinkedIn