Discover how therapeutic approaches and intentional support can transform the journey of people living with memory loss

In this episode of Living Our Best with Memory Loss, we sit down with Emily Justus and Angela Bartlett from the Shangri-la Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR) to discuss the life-changing impact of their programs and the Reflections course.

Join hosts Bob, Denis, and Lori as we explore how the STAR Program uses therapeutic approaches to help manage the journey of cognitive decline. By providing a space to find community in shared experiences and offering practical tools for navigating daily life, this episode is packed with hope and actionable advice for both those living with a diagnosis and their care partners.

In the conclusion of our two-part series with the incredible Dr. Monica Crane, we look toward the horizon of brain health. This episode moves from day-to-day management into the exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) world of clinical trials, research, and long-term planning.

Dr. Crane joins our hosts—Bob, Denis, and SuAnne—to answer the big questions: Are we close to a cure? How do we protect our vision and hearing to save our brains? And how do we prepare for the “end of the road” while still living our best lives today?

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Clinical Trial Landscape: Why participating in research is a “gift to the future.”
• Sensory Health: The surprising link between hearing loss, vision, and cognitive decline.
• The “C” Word: What a “cure” actually looks like for Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
• Planning with Peace: Navigating end-of-life care and the importance of having “the talk” early.
• Leaving a Legacy: How Bob, Denis, and SuAnne are helping others by sharing their stories.

About Our Guest: Dr. Monica Crane is a leading expert in geriatric medicine and memory care, dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

In the first of this special two-part series, we are joined by the renowned Dr. Monica Crane, a specialist in aging and dementia. This episode offers a unique bridge between clinical expertise and the lived reality of those navigating a memory loss diagnosis.

Dr. Crane joins our hosts—Bob, Denis, and SuAnne (who are all living with cognitive decline)—to discuss the evolving landscape of brain health. We dive deep into the importance of early diagnosis, the shift from “dementia” to “cognitive health,” and practical lifestyle changes that can help preserve memory.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The clinical definition of memory loss vs. normal aging.
• Why the words we use (like “dementia” vs. “brain health”) matter.
• How to find the right medical team after a diagnosis.
• The impact of diet and lifestyle (and the truth about those “pan of brownies!”).
• Empowering patients to be their own best advocates.

About Our Guest: Dr. Monica Crane is a leading expert in geriatric medicine and memory care, dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

In this episode of Living Our Best with Memory Loss, hosts Bob, Denis, and SuAnne—who are all living with a memory loss diagnosis—sit down with Dr. Elaine Eshbaugh, Professor of Gerontology and Family Studies.

Dr. Elaine Eshbaugh, founder and director of the UNI Dementia Simulation House, joins the Living Our Best with Memory Loss podcast to discuss why people living with cognitive changes are the true experts of their own experience.

Hosted by Bob, Denis, and SuAnne, this episode dives into the importance of advocacy, education, and breaking the stigma surrounding memory loss. Listen in to hear why your voice matters.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The role of advocacy in the memory loss community.
• Why the person living with the diagnosis is the “expert.”
• Dr. Eshbaugh’s work in gerontology and reducing stigma.

What if the root cause of your brain fog, fatigue, or memory issues isn’t what you think? In Part 2 of our conversation with Chiropractic Functional Neurologist Dr. Ryan Worley, we dive deeper into the hidden causes of cognitive decline—including how a concussion from decades ago could still be affecting your brain’s “highway” today.

In this episode, Dr. Ryan explains why standard MRI and CT scans often come back “normal” even when you don’t feel right. We also discuss the crucial difference between severe cognitive decline and CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), and why your brain might be burning extra energy just trying to perform basic tasks.

Plus, get ready to move! Dr. Ryan shares actionable tips for brain regeneration, including the benefits of saunas for boosting BDNF (the brain’s “Miracle Grow”), and demonstrates specific motor exercises like “Cross Crawl Taps” and “Figure Eights” to help reconnect your neural pathways.

Welcome to the Season 4 premiere of Living Our Best With Memory Loss! In this episode, hosts Bob, Denis, and SuAnne sit down with Dr. Ryan Worley, a Chiropractic Functional Neurologist and the founder of NeuroBalance Solutions. www.neurobalancesolutions.com

After suffering from multiple concussions and a traumatic event that triggered severe anxiety and depression, Dr. Ryan found that traditional therapies only provided temporary relief. His journey led him to functional neurology, where he discovered that “fixing the potholes” in his brain’s neural pathways was the key to his recovery.

Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of brain rehabilitation. Dr. Ryan explains how the vestibular system (your inner ear balance center) connects to anxiety, why “chasing symptoms” often fails, and how specific eye and hand exercises can help retrain a dysregulated brain. Plus, the hosts try out some of these brain exercises—including the challenging “Shoot the Bunny”

In this special episode, our hosts Bob, Denis, and SuAnne—who are all living with a memory loss diagnosis—are joined by renowned Alzheimer’s researcher, Dr. Gregory Jicha.

Dr. Jicha offers a powerful and hopeful look at the latest breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment, including the new FDA-approved drugs Leqembi and Kisunla, which are changing the biology of the disease for the first time. He also provides an exciting update on the potential of GLP-1 agonists like Semaglutide (often used for diabetes and weight loss) and the clinical trials that could make it a new tool in the fight against memory loss.

This episode is packed with encouraging insights, but remember: this is not a substitute for medical advice. We are not doctors, and any treatment options discussed should be explored in consultation with your physician.

• The evolution of Alzheimer’s treatment, from symptom management to disease-modifying therapies.
• A closer look at the new FDA-approved drugs Leqembi and Kisunla.
• The groundbreaking research into Semaglutide and its potential benefits for brain health.
• Why a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to brain health is key.
• The importance of getting a specific diagnosis for the cause of your memory loss.

In this episode, our hosts Bob, Denis, and SuAnne are joined by special guest Dr. Gregory Jicha, a leading researcher in Alzheimer’s and related cognitive diseases, a professor of neurology at the UK College of Medicine, and a senior investigator at the Sanders Brown Center on Aging.

Today, we dive deep into the crucial connection between diet, Alzheimer’s, and overall brain health. Dr. Jicha shares insights from the latest studies, discussing:

• The fundamental impact of diet on cognitive function.
• Why Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, are essential for keeping nerve cells fluid and forming new connections.
• How to identify healthy fats (like plant-based oils) versus saturated fats (and that “congealed bacon grease” analogy!).
• The benefits of the Mediterranean, MIND, and DASH diets for brain and heart health.
• Why maintaining a healthy diet is still incredibly important, even after a memory loss diagnosis, to help delay progression.
• The complex role of cholesterol in the brain.
• Practical tips for adapting your diet as tastes change, including creative ways to enjoy healthy foods.

In this powerful episode, our hosts Bob, Lori, Denis, and SuAnne are joined by special guest Sallie Gentry, a licensed clinical social worker based in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sallie shares her deep passion for supporting caregivers and individuals navigating cognitive disorders, drawing from her personal experiences.

This conversation dives into crucial topics, including:

• The vital importance of purpose for individuals living with cognitive decline and how to maintain engagement.
• The caregiver’s role: How to balance support and empowerment, avoiding the common “doing too much” trap, and strategies like chore lists to foster independence.
• Cultivating patience, grace, and dignity in care partnerships, and how to avoid “parent-child” dynamics.
• Acknowledging and adapting to day-to-day fluctuations in abilities for those with memory loss.

This episode offers invaluable insights for both individuals with a diagnosis and their caregivers, emphasizing that true support nurtures emotional well-being, preserves dignity, and fosters a sense of purpose.

Welcome to the second part of our conversation with Mike Zuendel. Hosts Lori, Bob, and Denis speak with Mike, founder of NotDemented.com, who dives deep into his mission to eliminate the word “dementia” from our vocabulary due to its profound stigma and negative impact.