A Pot of Sauce, A Pinch of Love: Cooking Through the Challenges of Dementia  with Jeanette Fazzari Jones artwork
AlzAuthors: Untangling Alzheimer's & Dementia

A Pot of Sauce, A Pinch of Love: Cooking Through the Challenges of Dementia with Jeanette Fazzari Jones

  • S2024E123
  • 47:24
  • September 3rd 2024

In this heartfelt episode of AlzAuthors, we dive into the emotional and practical aspects of caring for loved ones with dementia, with a special focus on family memories and intergenerational bonds. Jeannette Fazzari Jones shares a particularly touching story about her experiences with her grandparents’ dementia, detailing both the struggles and joys she encountered along the way. She is the author of the beautifully illustrated children's book, Meatballs for Grandpa.

We talk about how the many senses like touch and smell impact memory, and how to use sensory activities to connect not just with our person with dementia, but with children who may yearn to stay connected to a beloved person. As an educator, Jeanette speaks to the kinds of activities that can be used with young children who may read or listen to the story. We discuss the traditions of cooking and treasured recipes that are handed down through families that keep family connected. Jeanette is the author of the beautifully illustrated children's book, Meatballs for Grandpa.

After listening to this warm and delicious episode, you might just be inspired to cook a big batch of meatballs!

Connect with Jeannette

Buy Meatballs for Grandpa

Read her AlzAuthors blog post - need to add link

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About the Moderators

Marianne Sciucco

Christy Byrne Yates

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 totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please donate here.

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 avatar
Marianne Sciucco
Podcast Producer and Host

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 avatar
Christy Byrne Yates
Co-host and Producer

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.