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Gut Punched: Alzheimer’s & Caregivers

Gut Punched: Alzheimer’s & Caregivers

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Navigating the insidious illness of Alzheimer’s is something nobody asks for. The disease sneaks up on you and your loved one, and it feels like you’ve been sucker-punched in the gut when you get the diagnosis from a doctor. So many things race through your mind: why us? What do we do? We worked so hard to get to this point in life. We just moved here after we both worked for 30 years, sold our house up North, and retired to Florida to enjoy our “golden years”. It’s not fair! Who’s going to take care of her/him? I don’t know a thing about this illness. She’s always done the cooking; I don’t even know how to boil water. He's always taken care of me and everything else like Finances. I don’t even drive! And it goes on and on. Facing this disease will bring you to your knees. Once you get over the initial shock (GUT PUNCHED), the questions and fears take hold. Where do we turn for help? Who do I call? What do I do? How do you take care of someone with Alzheimer's? Are there support groups? And questions like these just keep coming. I am a caregiver. I wasn’t before. Well, not this kind of caregiver. My wife was officially diagnosed in January of 2018. I had a sneaking suspicion that she might have something like this about 2 years earlier. So, when I brought it to my Neurologist, he sent us to a very nice Psychologist who specializes in testing patients to determine more accurately what is going on. It was a question-and-answer session, followed by a very detailed testing procedure that usually takes 3 or more hours. The patient has to complete the test comprising of questions, simple actions, and memory tests, then give them a couple of numbers or words then move on, going back to the numbers or words a short time later.

So moving forward, I asked all the same questions as mentioned earlier. What are my options? So I “sucked it up”-Manned up so to speak. It's part of the deal for better or worse, right? So began my quest for information on support groups, doctors, anything I could get my hands on. It's been 6 years, and I am still looking for everything and anything that will help me crawl through this unchartered path to enlightenment. I was very fortunate to live in a city that has numerous resources to tap into. Most importantly, it's a place named after someone who suffered from Alzheimer’s. His wife provided the money to start the Alvin Dubin Center: The Dubin Center for short. Their mission is to achieve caregiver health, strength, and resilience by providing education, information, hope, and compassion. And boy do they. I leaned on them for everything I could find. Took all kinds of classes to learn what I needed to do to be the caregiver I have to be. Their caregiver class took about 6 weeks. The material we learned from, and the instructors, were top-notch. I still go back to the notes I took, and the books we used: both as refreshers and inspiration. Hopefully, no matter where you are listening to this, there will be a place like the Dubin Center. If not, don’t despair. The info is out there. That’s what this podcast is about. We’d like to share our resources, our experiences, our heartbreak, and our little victories. From time to time, we’d like to bring in Physicians, Nurses, Experts, and people like you and me, who are going through this disease with our loved ones who are willing to share their journey. The first thing that really stuck with me, and hopefully it will be with you. If you are a caregiver, you must first take care of yourself. Because this is not a sprint, but a marathon. And if you are run down, get sick, or worse.... Who’s going to take care of your spouse, mother, father, or child? Think about that for a few seconds. It’s you, the Caregiver. It’s me the Caregiver. That’s why we’re here. Gut Punched: Alzheimer’s & Caregivers! Thanks for joining us...now let's get going.

 Hygiene & Healthy Living Psicología Psicología y Salud Mental
Episodios
  • Fathers and Alzheimer’s: Is There a Connection?

    Fathers and Alzheimer’s: Is There a Connection?
    Jun 16 2025

    In this heartfelt and eye-opening 60th episode of GutPunched: Alzheimer’s and Caregivers, host Jeff Edwards reflects on milestones, both personal and universal. It’s Father’s Day weekend, June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and we’ve hit 60 episodes of this powerful journey.

    Jeff kicks things off with a sobering yet timely question: Is there a connection between fathers who have Alzheimer’s and your own risk of developing it? Then Jeff sets the stage for an incredibly meaningful and sincere conversation with Dr. Ed Shaw about Keeping Love Alive As Memories Fade.

    Dr. Shaw is not only a former caregiver but also a four-time author, national speaker, part-time counselor, and leader of caregiver support groups. Most importantly, he speaks from experience, with clarity, compassion, and purpose. In this episode, he shares insights from his book, Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade, introducing the Five Love Languages and how they can be adapted to deepen connection with loved ones who are living with dementia.

    This interview is more than informational; it’s deeply moving. Dr. Shaw’s personal stories and professional wisdom give caregivers a new lens to see their roles, and their relationships, with renewed empathy and hope.

    As always, Jeff reminds us of the four grounding rules that GutPunched listeners have come to rely on:

    • Take care of yourself.

    • You can't do this alone—get help.

    • Make a list, and use it.

    • Create a help signal for your loved one.

    This isn’t just another podcast episode—it’s a reminder of why caregiving matters, and how love, even in the face of memory loss, can still be nurtured and expressed.

    Listen in. Take notes. And above all, know you’re not alone. GUTPUNCHED: ALZHEIMER’S AND CAREGIVERS. GUTPUNCHED.COM

    Thank you for listening to GutPunched: Alzheimer’s and Caregivers – Episode 60

    Fathers & Alzheimer’s: Is There a Connection?” And Keeping Love Alive As Memories Fade, Featuring Author Dr. Ed Shaw

    Let me know if you’d like a shorter version, one formatted for social media, or a podcast.
    Más Menos
    29 m
  • A New App for Early-Stage Dementia + How Music Soothes Depression

    A New App for Early-Stage Dementia + How Music Soothes Depression
    Jun 9 2025

    Host Jeff Edwards brings a quick-hit, high-impact episode this week on GutPunched: Alzheimer’s & Caregivers. After deciding to shorten a few upcoming episodes for a bit of recharging time, Jeff still delivers valuable insights for caregivers and those affected by Alzheimer’s.

    In this episode, Jeff spotlights the Alzheimer’s Association’s new app, My ALZ Journey—a powerful, user-friendly mobile resource designed specifically to support individuals living with early-stage dementia. Learn how this app can provide practical help and support anytime, anywhere.

    Then, Jeff turns to one of his favorite topics: the healing power of music. Discover how music can help soothe depression in dementia patients, offering emotional relief and connection when words may fail.

    As always, Jeff reminds listeners of the core principles of caregiving:

    1. Take care of yourself first.

    2. Don’t go it alone—seek support.

    3. Make and use your help lists.

    4. Create a “help signal” for your loved one.

    Whether you’re a seasoned caregiver or just starting your journey, this episode is packed with accessible tools and heartfelt encouragement.
    Más Menos
    16 m
  • 10 Common Signs of Caregiver Stress and 6 Ways to Manage Stress and Be a Healthier Caregiver.

    10 Common Signs of Caregiver Stress and 6 Ways to Manage Stress and Be a Healthier Caregiver.
    Jun 2 2025

    In this quick-hit episode, host Jeff Edwards shifts focus to a crucial topic many caregivers face daily: caregiver stress. As June kicks off, Jeff uses this episode to provide listeners with a compact but powerful discussion on recognizing the emotional and physical strain caregiving can create—and more importantly, how to manage it.

    Drawing from resources by the Alzheimer’s Association, Jeff outlines the 10 common signs of caregiver stress, such as anxiety, exhaustion, and withdrawal, while also offering 6 actionable strategies to reduce stress and stay healthier, both mentally and physically. He reminds listeners of the core “GutPunched Rules,” a foundational set of principles for caregivers:

    1. Take care of yourself first.

    2. Don’t try to do it alone—seek support.

    3. Use your network of help.

    4. Establish a “help signal” with your loved one.

    This episode serves as a much-needed check-in for caregivers who may feel overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure of where to turn. Jeff also invites caregivers to share their personal stories—whether victories or hardships—for a future segment titled GutPunched: Stories from the Frontlines of Caregiving.

    Resources Mentioned:
    For more caregiver tools and support, visit: alz.org/Caregiverstress
    To share your caregiving story, contact: GUTPUNCHEDAC@outlook.com
    Más Menos
    9 m
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