"Lousy: Love in the Time of Dementia"—A Son's Caregiving Story Seen Through Film
- S2025E155
- 1:03:29
- October 14th 2025
In this special film festival episode celebrating the 10th anniversary of AlzAuthors, hosts Marianne Sciucco and Christy Byrne Yates welcome filmmaker Frank Silverstein for an intimate discussion about his documentary, “Lousy: Love in the Time of Dementia.” Frank shares his journey capturing the realities of caring for both parents with dementia, offering raw insight, practical wisdom, and hope for caregivers and families living with this disease.
Featured Guest:
Frank Silverstein – Veteran TV producer, author, and filmmaker. Creator of “Lousy: Love in the Time of Dementia”, a deeply personal iPhone-shot documentary chronicling his parents’ decline and the challenges of caregiving.
Key Discussion Topics:
Behind the Film: Frank reveals how his career in news documentaries shaped his approach to filming, and why he began documenting the “real” moments with his parents as their dementia progressed.
Caregiving Realities: The episode explores the confusion, unpredictability, and emotional complexity of caring for loved ones with dementia—including dealing with repeated questions, behavioral changes, and sibling dynamics.
Honoring the Person: Frank shares poignant memories of his parents’ lives before dementia, and discusses how core personality traits can persist even as the disease changes so much else.
Sibling Care Teams: An honest look at family caregiving logistics, relationships, and the value of supporting one another—not just the person with dementia, but also fellow caregivers.
Film Festival Details: For those registered for the AlzAuthors Film Festival, they can watch “Lousy: Love in the Time of Dementia” and other festival films through the end of the year.
Memorable Quote:
“It’s very isolating when you’re taking care of your parents. There’s nobody really that’s going to help you... you have to figure out your path out of there.” —Frank Silverstein
Resources:
Contact Frank Silverstein: www.franksilverstein.com
AlzAuthors Podcast, “Caring for Two Parents with Dementia at the Same Time”
Next Up:
Join the next film festival discussion on Wine, Women, & Dementia by Kitty Norton — details and links on the AlzAuthors website
Learn about the Moderators
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.
We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. 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.
We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast
Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network
Find us on The World Podcast Network and babyboomer.org
Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know
We've got merch! Shop our Store
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.
Support Us
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.