The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

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The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

Ken Cardita - Ascending Minds LLC

47 episodes

1 month ago

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Understanding Suffering in Alzheimer's Disease: A Caregiver's Perspective In episode 47 of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardina delves into the topic of suffering, specifically examining whether or not his wife Shanna, who has Alzheimer's, is suffering. Drawing from a poignant conversation with his daughter, Ken explores both emotional and mental aspects of suffering in the context of Alzheimer's caregiving. He provides detailed insigh...

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Religion & Spirituality,

Self-Improvement,

Health & Fitness

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Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Understanding Suffering in Alzheimer's Disease: A Caregiver's Perspective In episode 47 of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardina delves into the topic of suffering, specifically examining whether or not his wife Shanna, who has Alzheimer's, is suffering. Drawing from a poignant conversation with his daughter, Ken explores both emotional and mental aspects of suffering in the context of Alzheimer's caregiving. He provides detailed insigh...

Show more...

Religion & Spirituality,

Self-Improvement,

Health & Fitness

Episodes (20/47)

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 47 Is She Suffering ?

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Understanding Suffering in Alzheimer's Disease: A Caregiver's Perspective In episode 47 of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardina delves into the topic of suffering, specifically examining whether or not his wife Shanna, who has Alzheimer's, is suffering. Drawing from a poignant conversation with his daughter, Ken explores both emotional and mental aspects of suffering in the context of Alzheimer's caregiving. He provides detailed insigh...

1 month ago

34 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 46 What I Did this Summer

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Overcoming Guilt and Cherishing Moments: A Caregiver's Summer Reflections Ken shares heartfelt experiences from his summer, including celebrating his 45th wedding anniversary with his wife Shanna, who is battling Alzheimer's, Shanna's 65th birthday with her family, and a long overdue extended family vacation. Ken reflects on the emotional journey of transitioning from full-time caregiving to balancing family life, overcoming survivor's guilt, an...

3 months ago

28 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 45 Ch, Ch, Changes - Turn and Face the Strange

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Changes - Turn and Face the Strange In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken reflects on nine years of retirement and his experiences as the primary caregiver for his wife, Shanna, who has Alzheimer's disease. Ken shares the challenges they faced after his retirement in 2016, including moving to a new house and adjusting to Shanna's cognitive decline. He discusses the emotional rollercoaster of caregiving, the importance of comp...

5 months ago

23 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 44 Advocating for Your Loved One

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast EP 44 Advocating for Your Loved One Ken shares his story of advocating for his wife Shanna, who has been living with Alzheimer's disease. Ken details the timeline of when he took over her medical and financial decisions, highlighting important moments like setting up power of attorney, adjusting to challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and navigating complex medical situations. He recounts specific instances of Shanna's health issues, s...

7 months ago

19 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 43 Wondering Aloud - Lessons from Loss

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast EP 43 Wondering Aloud - Lessons from Loss Ken discusses coping strategies amid the loss of three fellow residents, reassures caregivers on managing personal guilt, and emphasizes the importance of supporting others. He offers practical advice on self-care, finding joy, and using diverse activities to break monotony. The episode aims to educate and inspire caregivers to balance their responsibilities while finding personal relief and fulfillment. 00:...

9 months ago

18 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 42 New Year's Update

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Returning After a Break: Holiday Lessons and New Directions for 2025 In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardina returns after a three-month break to provide updates on his personal journey with his wife Shanna, who has Alzheimer's. Ken shares heartfelt moments of appreciation, his holiday experiences, the introduction of a wheelchair due to Shanna's mobility challenges, and their ongoing battle with Restless Leg Syndrome. ...

10 months ago

19 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 41 The Power of a Smile

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast The Transformative Power of a Smile in Alzheimer's Care In this episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardita discusses the profound impact a simple smile can have on individuals with Alzheimer's, drawing from his experiences with his wife, Shanna, and other residents at her care facility. Ken shares touching stories of connecting with non-responsive residents through smiles and the joy it brings to them and their families. He emphas...

1 year ago

18 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 40 What I would Tell Myself If I could go Back in Time

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Five Lessons Learned from My Caregiving Journey In this episode, inspired by a listener's comment, Ken shares five crucial lessons he wishes he knew when he started his caregiving journey. These lessons include: stopping the urge to correct the loved one, letting go of guilt, recognizing that current struggles won't last forever, prioritizing self-care, and embracing your loved one's reality. Ken emphasizes the importance of finding joy in what the l...

1 year ago

21 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 39 Finding Hope Amidst Grief

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Finding Hope Amidst Grief In this 39th episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardita reflects on a challenging year and a poignant two-year anniversary of the podcast coinciding with his 44th wedding anniversary to his wife, Shanna. Ken candidly shares his experiences dealing with sadness and grief, the impact of stepping back from full-time caregiving, and the emotional toll of watching his wife’s decline. He discusses the im...

1 year ago

22 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 38 It's Awkward, but Worth it !

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Encouraging and Maintaining Friendships Amidst Alzheimer's Progression Ken discusses the difficulties and importance of maintaining social connections for loved ones with dementia. Drawing from his own experiences with his wife, Shanna, Ken offers practical advice on easing the discomfort friends may feel and strategies to encourage continued visits. The episode also highlights the emotional impact of visits and provides tips for making ...

1 year ago

20 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 37 Look at what I found

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Reflecting on Three Years of Memory Care: Lessons and Growth Ken reflects on the three-year anniversary of moving his wife, Shanna, into memory care. Ken shares journal entries from his early caregiving days, detailing the emotional challenges, his journey toward understanding and coping, and the essential lessons learned. He emphasizes the importance of not letting Alzheimer's define life, validating feelings, seeking help, and finding joy am...

1 year ago

23 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 36 Getting the Dreaded Phone Call

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Navigating Challenges in Memory Care: Ken's Journey with Shanna Ken shares his personal experiences dealing with his wife Shanna's increasingly challenging behaviors due to Alzheimer's disease. He recounts the struggles faced while Shanna was in a memory care facility, including incidents with staff and other residents that led to stress and fear of Shanna being kicked out. Ken also discusses how unresolved issues from Shanna's past resurfaced...

1 year ago

33 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 35 Don't Put Off Healing

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Embracing Healing: Finding Joy Amidst Alzheimer's Journey Ken shares an introspective look into his personal healing journey as he navigates life with his wife Shanna, who has Alzheimer's disease. Ken discusses the challenges of feeling stuck in his healing process and the impact of family interactions on his emotional well-being. Through poignant anecdotes, including a friend's loss and family gatherings, Ken explores the importance of...

1 year ago

23 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 34 Responding to Repeated Questions

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Handling Repeated Questions: Strategies for Caregivers Ken addresses the common challenge of dealing with loved ones' repeated questions, based on his 13-year experience caregiving for his wife Shanna. He explains why these questions occur, the emotional triggers for caregivers, and offers strategies for responding empathetically. Ken also shares end-of-year reflections and milestones of the podcast, which is listened to in 21 countries and ra...

1 year ago

24 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 33 Are You Doing it Alone ?

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Overcoming Caregiver Burnout: Accepting Help and Finding Peace Ken discusses the challenges of caregiving, the myth of doing it all alone, and the importance of accepting help to avoid caregiver burnout. He recounts his own experiences of stubbornness and guilt, and how finally accepting assistance from family, friends, and professional caregivers transformed his ability to care for Shanna and himself. Ken also provides practical resources, su...

2 years ago

39 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 32 She is NOT the disease.. She is still my wife

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Reconnecting with a Loved One: A Caregiver's Journey Ken shares his deeply personal journey of staying connected with his wife, Shanna, who is battling Alzheimer's disease. Ken recounts the emotional challenges, key realizations, and profound experiences that have helped him see beyond the disease and reconnect with Shanna's true spirit. Through this narrative, Ken offers hope and inspiration to other caregivers facing similar st...

2 years ago

35 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 31 Looking Back & Moving Forward

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Reflecting on Our First Year: Insights and Announcements In this milestone episode of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardita reflects on the past year, sharing personal insights and the positive impact the podcast has had. Ken discusses his journey with his wife Shanna, who has Alzheimer's, and how he has found peace and joy amidst the challenges. He also introduces future initiatives including the monthly Coach's Corner webinars,...

2 years ago

17 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP30 They Call me the Wanderer

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Managing and Preventing Wandering in Dementia Patients - Our Experiences Ken discusses the common issue of wandering among dementia patients, sharing personal experiences and practical tips to manage and reduce the risks. He gives insights into identifying early signs of wandering, preparing the home, utilizing tools like GPS trackers and medical alert bracelets, and relying on community support. The episode includes listener feedback an...

2 years ago

31 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 29 Lessons in Triggers and Healing

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Healing our Triggers: The Parable of the Pool Ken Cardita shares a heartfelt story called 'The Parable of the Pool.' Ken recounts his journey of caring for his wife, Shanna, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2017. Despite initial resistance, Ken decides to build a pool for Shanna, honoring a promise he made 30 years ago. Throughout the episode, he illustrates how untreated triggers can cause emotional damage and emphasizes the importance o...

2 years ago

36 minutes

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

EP 28 The Art of One Way Conversations

Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Understanding One-Way Conversations in Dementia: Communicating Beyond Words Ken shares how he has adapted to communicating with his non-verbal wife, Shanna, who has Alzheimer's disease. Ken discusses the different stages of Shanna's verbal decline and reveals how he has learned to read her body language and facial expressions to maintain a deep connection. Through personal anecdotes and lessons learned over a 12-year journey, Ken aims t...

2 years ago

25 minutes