Finding Connection Amid Alzheimer's: Eliezer Sobel's Silver Linings and Caregiving Journey
- S2025E156
- 56:59
- November 4th 2025
Welcome to another powerful episode of the AlzAuthors Podcast. In this episode, hosts Christy Byrne Yates and Marianne Sciucco are joined by acclaimed writer Eliezer Sobel, author of “The Silver Lining of Alzheimer’s: One Son’s Journey into the Mystery.” Jean Lee, founder, manager, and memoir acquisitions editor, shares her insights about what she found compelling about this book and author.
Episode Highlights:
- Discover how Eliezer Sobel and his wife, Shari, left their life behind to care for his mother with Alzheimer’s and his aging father following an unexpected traumatic brain injury.
- Hear about the emotional and practical challenges, and how caregiving became a profoundly transformative experience for the family members.
- Connection Over Correction: Learn about the importance of fostering connection rather than correcting memory loss or confusion.
Discovering Silver Linings:
- Eliezer Sobel shares how, despite the heartbreak, his family found moments of humor, love, and even healing.
- Listen as he recounts rediscovering the deep, wordless bond with his mother, and how dementia changed their relationship for the better.
The episode covers key caregiving tips, such as redirecting challenging behaviors, managing daily routines, and balancing personal loss with acceptance.
Also, Navigating Family Dynamics and Finances.
Dementia Resources and Books:
- Learn about helpful resources for dementia caregivers, including Eliezer Sobel's own book for memory-challenged adults, "Blue Sky, White Clouds," as well as other author recommendations from the AlzAuthors community.
About the Author: Eliezer Sobel is a writer, former editor, and the devoted son of parents affected by Alzheimer’s and aging. His book, “The Silver Lining of Alzheimer’s: One Son’s Journey into the Mystery,” offers a rare and hopeful perspective into the mysteries—and unexpected joys—of dementia caregiving. His book “Blue Sky, White Clouds: A Book for Memory-Challenged Adults” helps those with cognitive decline and memory loss remain engaged with text and others.
Mentioned in This Episode:
- Buy Eliezer’s book
- Learn more about Eliezer and his other works here.
- Laurette Klier
- Susan Ostrowski
Key Quotes:
"There was a sense of connection on a soul to soul, heart to heart, essence to essence level that had nothing to do with whether she knew my name, if she knew I was her son... There was a connection there that we both recognized." – Eliezer Sobel
"You gave it all for your parents because they had given it all for you, all of your life. Your book is a true love story between you and your parents." Jean Lee
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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.
Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
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.
Thanks for listening.
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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.