Life on Repeat: A Dementia Caregiver Podcast Laura Vaillancourt

In this heartfelt episode of 'Life on Repeat', host Laura Vaillancourt welcomes Martha Ranon, the Executive Vice President of Southern Caregiver Resource Center, based in San Diego.
Martha shares her personal journey from caring for her great aunt, who was living with dementia, to her role in supporting other caregivers through her work.
The conversation delves into the challenges and intricacies of caregiving, highlighting the importance of community support, self-care, and accessible resources. Martha discusses the unique services her organization provides, from support groups to educational programs, all aimed at aiding caregivers of those with cognitive impairments or the elderly needing assistance.
The episode not only provides insight into the valuable work of the Southern Caregiver Resource Center but also offers practical advice and encouragement for caregivers navigating their roles. With listeners from 52 countries tuning in, this episode is a beacon of hope and a source of vital information for caregivers worldwide.
You can find out more about the Southern Caregiver Resource Center here: https://www.caregivercenter.org/
FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast
Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com
RATE & SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered.
We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate.
You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device.
Or simply go to the link below for ease =).
lifeonrepeatpodcast.com/listen

The Dementia Connection Model: Non-Pharmacological Tools for Better Dementia Care
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Laura Vaillancourt talks to Clinical Psychologist Dr. Jennifer Stelter, who co-owns the Dementia Connection Institute. Dr. Stelter has created the Dementia Connection Model, aiming to improve dementia care through non-pharmacologic interventions.
Dr. Stelter discusses how she linked theoretical concepts, such as retrogenesis theory, to practical treatments like sensory stimulation for dementia patients, revealing the impact of these methods on their moods and behavior.
Dr. Stelter's model applies to all caregivers, both professional and family, and involves evaluating dementia patients' needs based on their developmental age, not their chronological age. The results are impactful and long-term, incorporating these methods into daily routines as a 'prescription' for dementia care.
Check out Dr. Stelter's book, 'The Busy Caregiver's Guide to Advanced Alzheimer's Disease', which details very helpful information and great insights related to caregiving. Learn more about the Dementia Connection Model and Dr Stelter's work in the world of dementia care.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation
01:23 Dr. Jennifer Stelter's Journey into Dementia Care
04:19 Introduction to the Dementia Connection Model
04:43 The Development and Pillars of the Dementia Connection Model
09:15 The Impact of Sensory Stimulation in Dementia Care
12:41 The Cognitive Behavioral Theory in Dementia Care
16:34 Practical Implementation of the Dementia Connection Model
21:15 The Power of Contrast in Food Presentation
21:34 The Benefits of a Mediterranean Diet for Dementia Patients
22:18 Impressive Results from the Three-Month Implementation
22:36 The Impact of the Study on Dementia Care Assisted Living
23:07 The Financial Benefits of the Study
25:08 The Role of the Book in Spreading the Knowledge
26:53 The Importance of Creativity in Dementia Care
29:59 The Concept of Prescriptive Engagement
36:46 The Future of Dementia Care and the Dementia Connection Institute
39:18 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
39:42 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast
Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com
RATE & SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered.
We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate.
You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device.
Or simply go to the link below for ease =).
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Laura and Kimberly explore the world of transformative mediation with family members who are caring for older adults. Kimberly has some fantastic tips on maintaining your calm in the midst of family chaos. You will love this discussion!
Here are some interesting points from our discussion:
-Factors that might contribute to caregiving conflict
-Helpful tips for handling conflict with family members
-How professional mediation can be helpful for families
Kimberly Best is a trained Family Mediator and owns Best Conflict Solutions focusing on collaborative problem-solving in healthcare, small business mediation, and conflict management, organizational conflict, elder mediation, family and relationship mediation, dialogue facilitation, and conflict coaching. She spent the first season of her career as a Registered Nurse in intensive care, trauma, and emergency medicine, where she cared for people in extreme need and gained valuable experience in the medical system.
You can find more about Kimberly Best and her work here:
Website: CBest Conflict Solutions: Meditation & Conflict Consulting
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kimberlybestmediator
Facebook: rBest Conflict Solutions
Instagram: eKimberly Best (@kimberly_a_best)
Twitter: akimberly_a_best
FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast
Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com
RATE & SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered.
We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate.
You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device.
Or simply go to the link below for ease =).
lifeonrepeatpodcast.com/listen

Join us as we talk with Cindy Weinstein, author and English professor, about her experience with her father's Alzheimer's diagnosis, as a distant caregiver and her new book.
Cindy's goal in writing her book, Finding the Right Words, was to equip readers with knowledge by sharing terms, basic neurology, graphs and images weaved throughout her story of her family's journey with her father's diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease.
In this episode, we talk about:
Cindy's inside view into neurology and dementia as a student Depression and dementiaThe importance of supporting family caregiversThe importance of sharing your story with your doctor or neurologistHow she forgot that her father was dying as her life adjusted to being a distance caregiver
Cindy Weinstein is the Eli and Edythe Broad Professor of English at California Institute of Technology. She has written several books on U.S. Literature and most recently wrote Finding the Right Words, a Story of Literature, Grief and the Brain.
You can find out more about Cindy's book here: Finding the Right Words
Cindy's account on Mastodon: @CindyWeinstein@zirk.us
FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast
Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com
RATE & SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered.
We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate.
You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device.
Or simply go to the link below for ease =).
lifeonrepeatpodcast.com/listen

You'll love this episode with Laura and Gretchen as we talk about Gretchen's experience caring for her mother.
Gretchen left her job and friends on the East Coast in 2012 and returned to her childhood home on the West Coast to companion her 96 year old mother from whom she had been 'comfortably distanced' for 36 years. Her degree in counseling didn't help with this gig! Gretchen is the author of Mother Lode: Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver.
We discuss what helped Gretchen remain sane:
Maintaining her old habits/tapping into her old selfHer weekly writing group: "writing saved me"YogaListing 5 things she is grateful for dailyKeeping a list of what happened, what she did about it and the outcome
Gretchen has a fabulous website with pages I had fun exploring such as recipes, reading lists, and an encouragement page: gretchenstaebler.com
She is also known for her amazing blog and welcomes your stories, too: https://gretchenstaebler.com/blog
FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast
Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com
RATE & SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered.
We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate.
You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device.
Or simply go to the link below for ease =).
lifeonrepeatpodcast.com/listen

You will love this episode with the amazing Adria Thompson! I was so excited to interview her, as she has a wealth of knowledge and experience in getting creative with challenging situations that caregivers face. Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) do so much more than assist with swallowing and speaking.
I personally follow her Instagram account and learn so much!
In this episode, we explore:
The differences between Physical, Occupational, and Speech TherapistsAddressing behavior challenges with dementiaHow to access SLP services and how to get a referral
3 areas of expertise an SLP provides:
Communication: comprehension and body languageCognition: thinking skills, problem-solving, organizing thoughtsSwallowing: safety in oral, feeding, and swallowing skills
If you care for someone with dementia, you know these three areas can present challenges in providing quality care.
Adria is deeply passionate about the large and ever-growing population of people with dementia in this world. She has the experience, creativity, and heart to help solve the most challenging problems.
Adria is a Licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Dementia Consultant, Certified Dementia Practitioner®️, and Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional®️
You can find out more about Adria and her services on her website: belightcare.com
Follow Adria on social media for creative caregiving tips
Instagram: @belightcare
Facebook: @belightcareconsulting
TikTok: @belightcare
FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast
Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com
SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered.
We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate.
You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device.
Or simply go to the link below for ease =).
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