Audio Player

Jennifer FinkDementia & Living Alone - It's Possible!

Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.

00:00

0:00 / 52:25

1. Dementia & Living Alone - It's Possible! Jennifer Fink 52:25

It’s amazing how resilient the human spirit can be. I’ve spoken to folks living alone with dementia who find ingenious ways to adapt. One gentleman, a former engineer, rigged up his whole house with reminders – lights that flashed when it was time to take his medication, a talking clock that announced mealtimes… it was incredible! Of course, not everyone has that knack for invention, but there are simpler things that can make a world of difference. Things like…”

• Safety First…making sure the home is safe. You’d be surprised how a simple rug or a poorly lit hallway can become a hazard. One woman I spoke to, bless her heart, tripped over a phone cord and ended up with a broken hip. It’s heartbreaking, but preventable!”
• Memory Reminders…little things to jog the memory. Like, labeling drawers with pictures of what’s inside, or using a whiteboard calendar for appointments. I remember this lovely lady who used to lay out her clothes for the next day every evening, just like she did for her kids when they were small. It gave her a sense of control, you know?”
• Simplicity Makes it Happen…sticking to a routine. It’s comforting, like a familiar path in the woods. This one fellow, a retired teacher, swore by his morning walk. Rain or shine, he’d be out there, getting his Exercise and saying hello to his neighbors. It kept him connected to the world.”

Our Guest:

Michael Splaine is owner and principal in Splaine Consulting, a small advocacy and government affairs consulting firm based in Washington DC. Immediately prior to starting this company, Mike was Director of State Government Affairs in the Public Policy Division of the US Alzheimer’s Association with whom he enjoyed a 23-year career, during which time he and his business partner Kate Gordon were the architects of the state AD plan strategy that started in 2007.

He is the managing partner of a related company Recruitment Partners LLC focused on improving the pace, quality and diversity of recruitment into dementia clinical trials.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Related Episodes:

Can Technology & Innovation Change Aging at Home?

Caring for Elderly Parents Who Live Alone

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sign Up for more Advice & Wisdom – email newsletter.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please help us keep our show going by supporting our sponsors. Thank you.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Feeling overwhelmed? HelpTexts can be your pocket therapist.

Going through a tough time? HelpTexts offers confidential support delivered straight to your phone via text message. Whether you’re dealing with Grief, Caregiving Stress, or just need a Mental Health boost, their expert-guided texts provide personalized tips and advice.

Sign up for a year of support and get:

• Daily or twice-weekly texts tailored to your situation
• Actionable strategies to cope and move forward
• Support for those who care about you (optional)

HelpTexts makes getting help easy and convenient.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Make Your Brain Span Match Your LifeSpan

Relevate from NeuroReserve

I’ve been focusing a lot on taking care of my brain health, & I’ve found this supplement called RELEVATE to be incredibly helpful. It provides me with 17 nutrients that support brain function & help keep me sharp. Since you’re someone I care about, I wanted to share this discovery with you. You can order it with my code: FM15 & get 15% OFF your order.

With Relevate nutritional supplement, you get science-backed nutrition to help protect your brain power today and for years to come. You deserve a brain span that lasts as long as your lifespan.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Join Fading Memories On Social Media!

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share this podcast with other caregivers! You’ll find us on social media at the following links.

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn 

Facebook

Contact Jen at hello@fadingmemoriespodcast.com

or Visit us at www.FadingMemoriesPodcast.com

Most Recent Episodes

March 25, 2025

Alzheimer’s Care – Know Your Limits

Alzheimer's Care - know your limits. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's, especially early-onset, presents unique challenges. This episode features Irene, who shares her personal journey of...

Listen · 59:26

March 18, 2025

You Are Not Alone In Your Alzheimer’s Fight!

Join us for a special PodCastThon episode dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the fight against Alzheimer's disease. This episode delves into the crucial work of the Alzheimer's Association,...

Listen · 56:37

March 11, 2025

Find Peace & Healing After Loss

Grief can leave you feeling lost and broken, wondering if you'll ever feel whole again. The journey to healing after loss can feel overwhelming, but finding peace is possible. This episode explores...

Listen · 54:34

Load More Episodes

Jennifer Fink Podcaster

After helping care for her grandmother who had vascular dementia, Jennifer realized her Mother was showing signs of early onset Alzheimer’s. After the death of her father in 2017 Jennifer went searching for answers to many of the common questions and Alzheimer’s caregiver faces. Being a busy entrepreneur Jennifer realized that a podcast would be the easiest way to learn more about caregiving while completing other tasks.

Sadly, in late 2017 she only found one and it didn’t quite address what she was looking for, so she did the next best thing, and started her own. The Fading Memories podcast is now in it’s fourth year and despite the death of her Mom in March 2020, Jennifer is still talking to caregivers and still learning how to be an excellent caregiver. On the podcast she discusses caregiving, brain health, self-care and how to age well.