1. #5 Encore Episode- Alzheimer's Daughter, You Are Not Alone Rayna Neises 22:33

This week, we have Encore Episode #5 where Rayna Neises, your host, talks with Lauren Dykovitz.  Lauren is a writer, author, wife, and dog mom.  She became a family Caregiver when her mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in July 2010 when Lauren was only 25.  Lauren started the Life, Love, and Alzheimer’s blog and social media pages to document her journey and share her experiences.  She has written two books, and last year started offering online mentoring services for Alzheimer’s daughters.  Lauren has made it her mission to help others on their caregiving journey and shares the following.  

  • The journey can be difficult, isolating, and hard to accept.
  • Memory issues are not the only symptom of Alzheimer’s. Other things like having problems doing things they have always done, becoming withdrawn and less talkative, and vision problems can be signs too.
  • The diagnosis can feel like death because the relationship you knew or hoped for will never look that way.
  • Put the focus on your loved one and try to make them happy and bring joyful moments into their life.
  • Be mindful and live in the moment.
  • Connecting over the shared bond is powerful. The more you share your story and talk about it, the more you realize you are not alone.
  • To connect with Lauren, you can find her on social media and at her website at https://lifeloveandalzheimers.com/. You can find her books on Amazon.
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Rayna Neises A Season of Caring

Rayna Neises understands the joys and challenges that come from a season of caring. She helped care for both of her parents during their separate battles with Alzheimer’s over a thirty-year span. She is able to look back on those days now with no regrets – and she wishes the same for everyone caring for aging parents.

Rayna is the author of No Regrets: Hope for Your Caregiving Season, an ICF certified coach, the host of “A Season of Caring” podcast, Positive Approach® to Care (PAC)Independent Certified Trainer and speaker who is passionate about offering encouragement, support, and resources for regret-free caring aimed at preventing family caregivers from aimlessly wandering through this important season of life.

Rayna lives on a farm in southeast Kansas with her husband, Ron, and small pack of adorable dogs. She is the baby of her family, but most would never guess that. She is a former teacher who enjoys crafts of all kinds and spending time with her grandkids most of all.