Alzheimer's Speaks Radio - Lori La Bey

A Dime to Say I Love You, A Debut Memoir Lori La Bey talks with Kathryn Henry, a writer, spiritual seeker, and business leader whose life has been shaped by blue-collar beginnings, executive success, and profound personal challenges and loss. Her debut memoir, A Dime to Say I Love You, is an unflinching account of heartbreak, abuse, and grief—and the transformative journey into hope, compassion, and spiritual awakening that follows. Learn: What does AFGO stand for, and how did it help you on your caring journey? Kathryn defines what a Dime moment looks like and feels like. The importance of humor and how those moments can keep you going in difficult times Ways to deal with grief The effects of leaving your job to care for another Daily practices and rituals help you heal Lessons in love, presence, and priorities. Transformation through grief   Alzheimer’s Speaks Blog Post https://alzheimersspeaks.com/a-dime-to-say-i-love-you-debut-memoir/   Watch the Video Interview Below https://youtu

DEMENTIA MAN – THE BOOK!   Lori La Bey, host of Alzheimer's Speaks, with Samuel A. Simon, who wrote and performed the play Dementia Man. He has now written a book with the same title, sharing more details of his dementia journey.  Sam was diagnosed in 2018 with Mild Cognitive Impairment and in 2021 with Early-Stage Alzheimer's.  He is currently under medical treatment and a participant in a drug trial. Sam lives with his wife, Susan, who is also his Care Partner. Learn: Learn why Sam wrote the play Dementia Man and how the book is different from the play. Sam is a critic of the word “Dementia. Does he have an alternative word he prefers? Learn why he chose to use the word Dementia in the title of his play and book. Same refers to a “broken system.” Hear how he defines that and the changes he would like to see, and why.   Alzheimer’s Speaks Blog Post https://alzheimersspeaks.com/dementia-man-the-book-by-samuel-a-simon/    Watch the Video

Holiday Sanity for Caregivers: The Holiday Survival Guide for Caregivers                                                                                 Lori La Bey talks with a former Chief of Surgery and Oncology Pioneer, Dr. Wolfgang Spangenberger. He now champions the most overlooked group in healthcare – long-term caregivers for family members and friends. His work brings expert clarity, compassion, and real solutions to those who find themselves running the long-term care marathon. LEARN: Learn when and why laughing things off can be beneficial Life is not perfect, be present Reset your expectations – W

The Embrace Story – Celebrating Purpose, Compassion and Moments That Matter   Lori La Bey talks with Trina Anderson and Brittany Coleman, who are Divisional Directors of Memory Care at Senior Lifestyle, where they lead the nationally recognized Embrace Memory Care program.  Trina Anderson brings 37 years of experience in the senior housing and living industry and is a 2025 honoree of Senior Housing News’ Memory Care Innovation Awards. She is the creator of Melody, a personalized music therapy program that provides a non-pharmacological approach to dementia care by tapping into emotional connection and personal history through music.  Brittany Coleman has 17 years of experience in the industry, including over a decade with Senior Lifestyle. She has been instrumental in scaling the Embrace program across dozens of communities and is known for her expertise in person-centered care, culturally responsive programming, and mentoring frontline care teams.  Learn: What the

Pure Unlimited Love – Science Meets Spirit with Stephen G. Post, PhD Lori La Bey talks with Stephen G. Post, who was a guest with us back in 2022 when we did a program on deeply forgetful people. For those of you unfamiliar with Stephen, he is renowned around the world for his work on the effects of love, kindness, bioethics, and dementia. This is apparent from the foreword of his new book, which was written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama! In his newest book, Pure Unlimited Love: Science and the Seven Paths to Inner Peace, Dr. Post invites readers to experience love not as sentiment, but as the very structure of consciousness—the pulse that connects all living beings. In this wide-ranging conversation, he reflects on what he calls the “One Mind,” shares stories from his life and research, and explores how living through love can transform not only individuals, but the world itself. For more than four decades, Dr. Stephen G. Post has been exploring one of humanity’s oldest and mos

Lori La Bey talks with Eboni Green, who brings years of hands-on experience in caregiving education. With her background in healthcare, she's passionate about bridging the gap between caregivers and healthcare professionals, creating content that resonates on both personal and professional levels. She is the founder of Caregiver Support Services. Learn: 1. The 7 Pillars to Being a Successful Caregiver       Selfcare       Empathy       Empowerment       Kindness       Patience       Communication Awareness       Active Listening 2.  Caregiver Courses 3.  Resources   Dementia Caregiving: Challenges and Success Lori and Eboni discuss the challenges of caregiving for individuals with dementia, and share their personal experiences. Eboni talked about the importance of understanding what success means in caregiving, as it can change throughout the journey and depends on individual goals. They a

Reimaging Dementia – Where We Are Now   #CreativeDementiaCare  #DementiaCoalition  #JoyofDementia Today, I will be talking with Mary Fridley is co-founder and coordinator of Reimagining Dementia: A Creative Coalition for Justice and creative lead for The Joy of Dementia (You Gotta Be Kidding) for the East Side Institute, where she is on faculty. Learn: Has dementia been monetized? What does leading with The Joy of Dementia mean? The quality of healthcare isn't where it used to be. Why is that? Do people actually listen? What is the Reimagining Dementia Coalition? Tell us about the play – “The Joy of Dementia?” What is the Taking It to the Streets Campaign? The article “We're creating an Age of inspiration”   Alzheimer’s Speaks Blog Post https://alzheimersspeaks.com/reimaging-dementia-where-we-are-now/ Watch the Video Interview Below https://youtu.be/3R6J9407rPI Listen and Subscribe to Alzheimer’s Speaks on Apple Podcast https://podcast

Lori La Bey, host of Alzheimer’s Speaks, talks with: Mary Anne Roberto is the Co-Founder of The Memory Connection, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals living with dementia and their caregivers through education, engagement, and respite programs. She’s also a Certified Dementia Care Specialist and lifelong advocate for caregiver wellness and community support. Debbie Axel is the Co-Founder of The Memory Connection and an Entertainment Attorney whose personal experience as a dementia caregiver inspired her to expand access to resources and respite opportunities for families in need. Learn About: Elder Well Adult Day The Memory Connection Always Home Connected   Website  www.ElderWellAdultDay.com/SantaMonica Email   Maryanne@ElderWellAdultDay.com Phone  (310) 310-8313 Instagram  @Elder Well_AdultDay Facebook  @ElderWellSantaMonica   Website  www.TheMemoryConnection.org Email  info@TheMemoryConnectio

Building Legacy and Dignity for the Elderly: Hannan Center Celebrates 100 Years of Service The Hannan Center story is amazing and shines a light on Luella Hannan, the founder and philanthropist who had a laser focus on understanding community needs, forged roads on how to care way ahead of her time. Despite facing legal challenges, she established a model for supporting older adults that later influenced Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Our host, Lori La Bey, talks with Vincent Tilford, the President and CEO of the Hannan Center, a Detroit-based nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for older adults in metro Detroit. With over 30 years of leadership in housing, community development, and aging services, he has expanded Hannan’s endowment, implemented a fund development plan, and led major facility renovations supporting dementia care and the arts.  Hannan's Centennial Senior Support Celebration Vince discussed Hannan's 100-year history of supporting seniors to age in place, i

Challenging the Behavioral Paradigm: The Unequivocal Rights of PLWD to Express Themselves  Lori La Bey and Leah Bisiani explore the importance of dignified, personalised relationship-based support for all individuals living with dementia. The conversation touches on the need for better support systems as the aging population grows, and the importance of listening to people living with dementia. The ladies discussed the recent International Dementia and Innovation Conference in Bali, where people with dementia were given a platform to share their lived experiences and provide a voice of advocacy for all people living with dementia. They discussed the Aashaya Jasri Resort, also in Bali, which offers an “inclusive disability-enabling” holiday experience, designed for people living with dementia and people with disabilities, to enjoy a holiday in paradise.   Dementia Stigma and Respectful Discussion Leah and Lori discussed the need to change societal perceptions and conditioning a

OPEN MIC ON ALZHEIMER'S SPEAKS - OCT 2025 #DementiaCare  #DementiaSupport  #DementiaFamilies Each month on Alzheimer’s Speaks, we allow individuals and companies to share their services, products, tools, research, insights, and thoughts regarding dementia and caregiving on our OPEN MIC sessions. OPEN MIC ON ALZHEIMER'S SPEAKS - OCT 2025 Lori La Bey, host of Alzheimer’s Speaks, talks with Pastor Jeanette B. Jordon.  After her husband's diagnosis with Dementia/Alzheimer's in 2016, she began to make dementia education her primary focus and advocacy. Pastor Jordon is the Founder and CEO of Dementia Dignified Academy, a non-profit organization that provides specialized, data-supported training modules to caregivers, care partners, clinicians, and the community at large, to help them learn how to professionally, respectfully, patiently, creatively, lovingly, and effectively care for those living with various types of Dementias. Pastor Jordon is also the author of Journey of Compassion - A

Caring Beyond the Diagnosis: Music, Incontinence, and Whole-Person Wellness #MusicTherapy #incontinencecare #wholepersoncare Today, Lori La Bey, host of Alzheimer’s Speaks, talks with: Deanna Vigliotta, National Sales Manager for Seni, a premium brand of incontinence products, has over 30 years of experience leading sales and sales management. A passionate advocate for dignity in aging and a published author, she uses her work in healthcare, sales, and storytelling to improve lives and spark meaningful conversations. Dr. Rosemary Laird is the Principal Investigator for ClinCloud Clinical Trials, Chief Medical Officer for My Memory Clinic, and an affiliate faculty member at Florida State University School of Medicine. A nationally recognized expert in Alzheimer’s care, she was named the American Geriatrics Society’s Geriatrician of the Year in 2013 and co-authored Take Your Oxygen First, a guide for family caregivers. Alexis Baker is a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC), certified dement

Understanding and Coping with Generational Love and Loss   Today, Lori La Bey talks with RJ Scarelli, who recently published his 1st children’s book about the effects of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. The book is titled For Those I Knew and Loved Before.  RJ wrote the book in honor of his grandmother, who lost her battle to Alzheimer’s back in 2021, as well as caregivers and families who are either taking care of a loved one with these neurodegenerative diseases or who have lost someone to dementia. RJ’s story depicts a unique perspective of a young child who grapples with her grandmother’s diminishing condition and rapid memory loss. Ultimately, it gives the reader a vulnerable yet simple way to approach this difficult subject and allows young readers to effectively grapple with watching those they love the most struggle as their journey with Alzheimer’s and Dementia progresses. RJ hopes his book will help children explore big emotions and unfamiliar change

Down Syndrome, Regression Disorder, and the Link to Alzheimer's  Lori La Bey talks with Nancy Poland, who has been a guest on our show before. Through her company, Grace's Message, she is an author, speaker, and trainer. Nancy says, with grace and hope, she provides written and spoken communication on caregiving, loss, and other valuable topics. Jodie Johson has supported her son Zachary's journey with Down Syndrome and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia at age 6 months. In honor of Zachary, in 1993, Jodie and her husband Scott started The Zachary Johnson Kids with Cancer Fund at Riverwood Healthcare Center, their local hospital foundation. They also give out monetary gifts to kids with cancer in their surrounding area. They have helped over 103 children. Jodie is here today to share about Zachary's diagnosis with Regression Disorder and the link to Alzheimer's.  Learn: Hear about Jodie’s son, Zachary, and her family's journey with Down Syndrome. Jodie shares early signs of Down Syndrome Regressive D

 2025 MAUDE'S AWARDS RECIPIENTS #Dementia #CaregiverSupport #QualityofLife  Lori La Bey talks with Marilyn Raichle, who is the Executive Director of Maude’s Awards, to highlight a couple of the winners and mention the others in the various categories. Joining the conversation will be two of the winners: Patti LaFleur is the former care partner to her mom, Linda, who had younger-onset dementia and was a former elementary educator for over 10 years. Patti designs and leads our programs with intentionality, knowledge, and love to connect with family members through sharing the lived experience and profound generosity of spirit that sets the tone for how Lorenzo’s House shows up for families. Lorenzo’s House empowers sons, daughters, children, and their families affected by younger-onset dementia. Chérie Macri is a seasoned healthcare leader and licensed Occupational Therapist with two decades of experience in the senior living continuum, including skilled nursing, assisted livi

Each month on Alzheimer’s Speaks, we allow individuals and companies to share their services, products, tools, research, insights, and thoughts regarding dementia and caregiving on our OPEN MIC sessions. Today, Lori La Bey, the host of  Alzheimer's Speaks, talks with Tyler Zanini, Co-founder at MemoryBoard, about their exciting news. Memory Board just launched in June of 2025.  Join us to learn more about the features and how Memory Board can ease your caring journey while increasing connection, communication, and comfort for both your loved one or client, as well as family members and staff. Go to Memory Board APP, and you can take advantage of their fall special discount of 10% off by using the code FALL10 at checkout.      Alzheimer’s Speaks Blog Post https://alzheimersspeaks.com/blog/  Watch the Video Interview Below https://youtu.be/Ut3i2MLDa5U Listen and Subscribe to Alzheimer’s Speaks on Apple Podcast https://podcasts.ap

Learning to be a Mindful Caregiver  Lori La Bey talks with Nancy Kriseman, MSW, who is a geriatric social worker with more than 30 years of experience providing counseling, consultation, and training to family caregivers. She has three caregiving books: The Caring Spirit Approach to Eldercare  Meaningful Connections: Positive Ways to Be Together When a Loved One Has Dementia The Mindful Caregiver: Finding Ease in the Caregiving Journey Learn: What exactly is a mindful caregiver? Are there strategies to handle resistance when the care recipient has dementia, doesn't want to move, give up driving, or go to the doctor, etc.? How does resilience play a role in caregiving? Does advertising play into how we perceive dementia and caregiving? What are your thoughts about feeling unable to do things that used to be very common for a person with dementia? What is compassionate deception? What is the Spirit of Caring? Nancy tells us about the "Activity Grab and Go Boxes" and how they can help families experi

Alzheimer's Speaks OPEN MIC Featuring AlzAuthors Celebrating 10 Years of Support & Service Today, Christy Byrne Yates from the leadership team at AlzAuthors joins Lori La Bey, host of Alzheimer’s Speaks, as they explore AlzAuthors' ten-year history and what we can expect from them going forward. What began as a one-month campaign in 2015 by three authors has blossomed into a vibrant community. Today, we proudly connect nearly 400 authors with over 400 high-quality, carefully vetted resources for those on the dementia journey.Through AlzAuthor’s website, blog, podcast, YouTube channel, newsletter, and engaging virtual events, they've reached and supported thousands of caregivers and those concerned about dementia.AlzAuthor’s has entered 2025 with renewed vigor, committed to providing knowledge, comfort, and unwavering support to those in need. Alzheimer’s Speaks Blog Post https://alzheimersspeaks.com/blog/   Watch the Video Interview Below https://www.youtube.com/@AlzheimersSpe

Is There a Memory Care Crisis?     Lori La Bey talks with Today, I will be talking with Gail Weatherill, aka The Dementia Nurse, who is a Registered Nurse, dementia care activist, and author. Her book, The Caregiver’s Guide to Dementia:  Practical Advice for Caring for Yourself and Your Loved One, has sold thirty thousand copies and earned over a thousand five-star reviews on Amazon.    Learn: What is dementia care activism, and how did Gail Weatherill get involved in it? About the documentary NO COUNTRY FOR OLD PEOPLE – A NURSING HOME EXPOSE. Gail appeared in it. What Gail feels the forces are driving the current issues in memory care. How can a caregiver advocate for a loved one who lives in a memory care facility? What can all of us do to improve memory care for the future?   Alzheimer’s Speaks Blog https://alzheimersspeaks.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-dementia-is-there-a-memory-care-crisis/ Watch the Video Interview Below https://youtu.be/tSE

Sharing Her Dementia Journey To Help You Lori La Bey talks with Mary Jo Belmont, who, at the age of 74, wrote and self-published her first book, Our Dementia Journey and Beyond, curated from the journals she kept while caring for her husband, Jack, for 50+ years. He passed on September 18, 2021, from Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer’s dementia. She decided to write the book to educate people about dementia and help caregivers as they travel the dementia journey with their loved one.   Learn: Did Journaling help Mary Jo Belmont during her dementia caregiving experience? Why was it important for Mary Jo to write her book? In Mary Jo’s book called Our Dementia Journey and Beyond, what exactly is the section called “Beyond,” and why did she include it in her book? Examples of how Mary Jo lived in Jack’s dementia world. Mary Jo mentions her faith in Jesus throughout her book. Find out some of the examples of the times she felt God was by her side. In the book