Seize the Day: Embracing Life's Moments with Alzheimer's artwork
AlzAuthors: Untangling Alzheimer's & Dementia

Seize the Day: Embracing Life's Moments with Alzheimer's

  • S2024E114
  • 50:49
  • April 30th 2024

Perhaps you can’t cure or even prevent Alzheimer’s, but what if you could slow the disease progression? Want to unlock the secrets to living in the moment with Alzheimer's? Get ready to embrace practical advice and actionable insights for a positive journey with Alzheimer's and dementia in this podcast with Danel Gibbs, MD. 

He’s a retired neurologist with extensive knowledge in the anatomy of the brain and the disease process of Alzheimer's and dementia. His personal experience living with Alzheimer's provides a unique perspective, enhancing his credibility in discussing practical approaches to managing these conditions. He’s the author of "A Tattoo on My Brain" and "Dispatches from the Land of Alzheimer's," which offer a collection of essays and vignettes that provide valuable insights into the cognitive health and well-being of those living with Alzheimer's or dementia. His writing style, which simplifies complex scientific concepts, ensures that his work is accessible to a wide range of audiences, and his contributions to the understanding and management of Alzheimer's and dementia make him an essential guest on the podcast.

Quotes: 

“For those of us on the Alzheimer's journey, it's really important to embrace the moment and not dwell on the frustration of trying to remember the past and plan for the future. Happiness and peace come from focusing on the moment.” - Daniel Gibbs, M.D.

“We don't have to wait for a cure. We can just do things that really make a significant difference, that are available, evidence proven, and don't cost anything. Except maybe a gym membership.” - Daniel Gibbs, M.D.

In this episode, you will: 

  • Explore real-life experiences of living with Alzheimer's and gain insights on managing the daily challenges.
  • Discover the surprising link between sense of smell loss and Alzheimer's disease, and how it may impact early detection.
  • Uncover the powerful impact of exercise on slowing the progression of Alzheimer's and enhancing overall well-being.
  • Learn about dietary approaches that may help slow down the advancement of Alzheimer's disease.

Resources mentioned:

After the Podcast

Buy the Dispatches from the Land of Alzheimer's and A Tattoo on My Brain

Watch the documentary A Tattoo on My Brain

Read Daniel’s AlzAuthors Post

Visit Daniel’s Blog

Listen to Previous Podcasts:

Daniel Gibbs, MD Untangles His Personal Battle Against Alzheimer’s Disease

Writing Through the Fog

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.