Daniel Gibbs, MD Untangles His Personal Battle Against Alzheimer's Disease
- S2022E73
- 1:12:53
- August 23rd 2022
Daniel Gibbs is a retired neurologist confronting his own early onset Alzheimer’s. His is a unique perspective once the doctor diagnosing other people’s cognitive issues and now the patient facing his own. Alzheimer’s disease was never on his radar, he says, because both of his parents died in midlife from cancer, but he unexpectedly discovered through genealogical research that he has two copies of the APOE-4 allele, putting him at very high risk for dementia. He has written his story in a memoir, A Tattoo on My Brain: A Neurologist’s Personal Battle Against Alzheimer’s Disease, where he reveals his personal story and explains how it is possible to decrease the risk and slow the progression of the disease through lifestyle modifications, especially when started early.
In this episode, we discuss the value of testing for the Alzheimer’s gene, the importance of life plans, concerns regarding work and retirement, and the Viacom documentary currently in production about his dementia journey.
After the Podcast
Read Dr. Gibbs AlzAuthors post: Neurologist, Dr. Daniel Gibbs, Reveals His Personal Story in A Tattoo on my Brain
Start reading A Tattoo on My Brain https://amzn.to/3zD6IlO
Note: We are an Amazon Associate and may receive a small commission from book sales.
Other authors/books mentioned:
Thomas DeBaggio, Losing My Mind: An Intimate Look at Life with Alzheimer's
Slow Puncture: A Memoir About Living Well with Early Onset Alzheimer’s by Peter Berry and Deb Bunt
Wendy Mitchell Writes Courageous Memoir of Younger Onset Dementia: Somebody I Used to Know
Tracey Shorthouse’s Poetry Provides a Glimpse into Early Onset Alzheimer’s
Laurette Klier Creates Nana’s Books: Nostalgic Picture Books for Seniors
Susan Ostrowski Helps Seniors with Cognitive Issues Enjoy Reading Again
Greg O’Brien, On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s
Greg O’Brien, Psychology Today articles
Daniel Alejandro Drubach, MD, FAAN, Twilight and Me: A Soliloquy (Lewy Body disease article mentioned at end)
Connect with Dr. Gibbs
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About the Podcast
AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.
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AlzAuthors: Untangling Alzheimer's & Dementia
Welcome to the AlzAuthors podcast! We’re so glad you found us. We are the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer's and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Join us each week as one of our authors shares their dementia journey, revealing intimate details and painfully obtained knowledge to help others currently on this path. We hope our stories offer comfort and support as we strive to break the silence and stigma surrounding a dementia diagnosis. May one of our authors speak to your experience. For more info please visit https://alzauthors.com.
Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here.
Meet Our Hosts
Marianne Sciucco is a registered nurse, dementia daughter, and author of the novel Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s love story, based on a couple she met through her work. It is a testament to the power of love in the face of this heart-wrenching disease. Marianne cared for hundreds of dementia patients over a 20+-year nursing career. She provided care to her stepfather during his dementia journey, and witnessed the painful decline of four beloved aunts to the disease. She's a founding member of AlzAuthors, sits on the Board, and is a director and manager. She can talk about AlzAuthors all day.
Christy Byrne Yates is a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP), retired school psychologist, author, speaker and coach/consultant. Her book, Building a Legacy of Love: Thriving in the Sandwich Generation recounts her journey as a working mother of two who also managed the care of her parents, both of whom had some form of dementia. Combining her lived experience with her professional expertise in human development, wellness and a strengths based approach to finding solutions, Christy develops content, workshops and coaching to support Sandwiched families. She incorporates meditation, mindfulness and other evidence based mind/body practices into her work. She’s worked with care communities, financial professionals, estate planners and employers. Christy has a master’s degree in counseling psychology, and graduate credentials in both education and school psychology.
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AlzAuthors is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. The podcast is one way we provide knowledge, comfort, and support to busy caregivers desperate for information. Your generosity will help us to continue our mission to lift the silence and stigma that often accompanies a dementia diagnosis. Please consider making a donation. Thank you.