So Many Goodbyes

Happy International Women’s Day, my friends! Loved celebrating this day by connecting with and uplifting some amazing women in our community. Kudos to ALL those involved in planning: “The RSP Spring Experience: International women’s Day 2025 in Minneapolis, powered by Ready Set Pivot and Let’s Talk Women!” I was honored to support the day’s caregiving theme… I always welcome the opportunity to remind ALL of us of the abundant resources and support available for all caregivers, especially those caring for loved ones on the Alzheimer’s and other dementia journey. Women, we deserve more than a day… I know… But here’s to each and every one of you: I see you, respect you and celebrate you! Happy Day, indeed. ???? P.S. Yes, the gold boots was definitely a conversation starter. And yes, I continued my car selfie tradition… Though I was grateful to capture at least a couple photos with others. ?? Ready. Set. Pivot. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD #IWD2025 #RSP #SoManyGoodbyes #HelloAlzheimers #ENDALZ #Alzheimers #dementia #Caregivers

“People in the Squeeze” – Bookended by babies and dementia. ? That’s the title of our new “Hello Alzheimer’s” conversation available now. ? Whether you’re an adult child caring for both aging parents and your own children OR you’re simply wanting to support someone with those dynamics (because guaranteed you know a family touched by dementia), then please listen to this compelling (and concise!) conversation. ? Jayne Dow Larkin, co-creator of People in the Squeeze and co-author of “Thriving in Chaos: Navigating the Challenges of Aging Parents,” offers such important insights, empathy and wisdom. ? Again friends, this conversation reminds all of us… none of us is alone. ? You can find “Hello Alzheimer’s” wherever you get your podcasts. ?? #HelloAlzheimers #SoManyGoodbyes #Alzheimers #dementia #caregivers #ENDALZ #AlzheimersSupport #dementiaSupport #caregiversSupport #AlzheimersFamily #dementiaFamily #AlzheimersDaughter #AlzheimersPodcast #dementiaPodcast #CaregiversPodcast

Yep. Another car selfie because I forgot to take a photo during the actual event. ????♀? I was honored to share with a LOVEly gathering of women at the lovely Golden Valley Country Club. Please let me know if you’d like me to share with your group about a crisis (the realities, the strategies, the hope) that touches all of us. ?? ? And in the meantime, enjoy this LOVEly night in our winter wonderland. ???? ? #Alzheimers #SoManyGoodbyes #dementia #Caregivers #ENDALZ #AlzheimersSupport #dementiaSupport #caregiversSupport #WomensConference #AlzheimersFamily #dementiaFamily #AlzheimersDaughter

“He would’ve told me, ‘Get back to my grandbabies. I’m ok.’” – Me ? I often say those words when sharing with parents who are also caring for their own parents.? The Sandwich Generation.? Bookended by Babies and Dementia.? Whatever the name, this group of people is growing. ? Just today… I had a conversation (you’ll hear that conversation VERY soon!), that emphasized the need for all of us to strike a balance.? ? In other words: ? Yes. If you’re an adult child of someone living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia, chances are you want to – or at least feel obligated to – be there for your loved one. Of course, in most cases, it will be a priority for you. ? But also… ? Yes. If you also have children who need your time, your love, YOU… then please remember (better than I did), that your loved one would want you to, “Get back to my grandbabies.”? ? It’s ok, my friends, to take time for other loved ones… to even take time for you.? ? More on this topic later this week… For now and always, please know you’re not alone. ?? ? #SoManyGoodbyes #Alzheimers #dementia #Caregivers #ENDALZ #AlzheimersSupport #dementiaSupport #CaregiverSupport #AlzheimersFamily #dementiaFamily #AlzheimersDaughter #AlzheimersPodcast #dementiaPodcast

Talk about a meaningful way to mark International Women’s Day! ? I’m thrilled… and honored… to be attending, and even sharing at “The?RSP?Spring Experience:?International Women’s Day 2025 in Minneapolis, powered by Ready Set Pivot and Let’s Talk Women!” ? Here’s the official theme (which I LOVE ??), according to Ready Set Pivot: ? “This year’s event is designed to #AccelerateAction and challenge the way we think about, support, and elevate women’s work as caregivers while bringing awareness to the inequitable burden placed on them.” ? Clearly, this topic resonates with me and So Many others who’ve been honored to care for their loved ones… But I also believe we ALL benefit when women support other women… by collaborating with, uplifting and celebrating each other. ? So please consider joining us for this meaningful International Women’s Day event (registration details in the following picture and link). Until then… Hugs and Happy Friday! ?? ? rspexperience.com/iwd Ready. Set. Pivot. #InternationalWomensDay #WomenSupportingWomen #Caregivers #SoManyGoodbyes #ENDALZ #Alzheimers #dementia #AlzheimersFamily #dementiaFamily #AlzheimersDaughter

Downsizing, decluttering… and dementia? ? It may not seem like a natural topic to tackle in our Hello Alzheimer’s podcast, but honestly… It’s perfect. Perfect for families like mine, who may be overwhelmed by their own or a loved one’s lifelong collections. ? As AARP volunteer and overall force for good, Joan Palmquist, shares… the opportunity to organize also gives us the chance to connect with — and celebrate! — our loved ones. ? Please listen to learn more. I’m such a believer in learning from and uplifting each other… And I promise our conversation with Joan will do just that: inform, inspire and affirm. ? You can find Hello Alzheimer’s wherever you get your podcasts. ?? Joan Palmquist #HelloAlzheimers #SoManyGoodbyes #ENDALZ #Alzheimers #dementia #AlzheimersPodcast #dementiaPodcast #CaregiversPodcast #AlzheimersSupport #dementiaSupport #CaregiversSupport #AlzheimersFamily #dementiaFamily #AlzheimersDaughter #Downsizing #Decluttering #Organizing

The good, the bad, the choice. ? If you remain curious about the hope of those new Alzheimer’s medications – and who of us doesn’t remain curious?! – then please take a couple minutes to listen to this NPR story. ? The story again emphasizes the value of lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla), while also recognizing the risks, the costs and the limitations. ? It’s truly a question of balancing the good and the bad to make a decision. ? And regardless of a person’s individual choice – which I strongly believe needs to be made with loved ones and a trusted medical provider – I still think we’re taking meaningful medical steps… toward hope. ? Link to the full NPR story: https://lnkd.in/g2zc_e9f ? #SoManyGoodbyes #Alzheimers #dementia #caregivers #ENDALZ #AlzheimersSupport #dementiaSupport #CaregiversSupport #AlzheimersFamily #dementiaFamily #AlzheimersDaughter #Leqembi #Kisunla

Thank you, caregivers. ?? And on this National Caregivers Day, please take a couple minutes to listen and learn a bit more about how we can support all those courageous care partners. This week’s Hello Alzheimer’s conversation features Myrna Marofsky and Kandy Hirsch. Myrna’s our dear friend and brilliant author of “To the Last Dance: A Partner’s Story of Living and Loving through Dementia.” Kandy’s a professional counselor and certified teacher of Mental Health First Aid. And TOGETHER, we tackle all those tools – and simple strategies – for uplifting the mental health of caregivers doing the most important (but often overwhelming) work. Thank you again, caregivers, for ALL you do… And thank you, everyone, for checking out Hello Alzheimer’s – you can find it wherever you get your podcasts. Myrna Marofsky Kandy Hirsch, MA LPC #NationalCaregiversDay #HelloAlzheimers #SoManyGoodbyes #AlzheimersPodcast #dementiaPodcast #Alzheimers #dementia #Caregivers #ENDALZ #AlzheimersSupport #dementiaSupport #CaregiversSupport #AlzheimersFamily #dementiaFamily #AlzheimersDaughter

It can be as simple as picking up the phone. ? That was my immediate response when again asked by a So Many Goodbyes family today about the resources available to them. ? Whether you live in Minnesota, Wisconsin or ANYwhere in this country, picking up the phone will connect you to help and support in your village. ? These slides show just a few of my favorites: ? * The Senior LinkAge Line in Minnesota, 1-800-333-2433; * Aging and Disability Resource Centers in Wisconsin, 1-844-WIS-ADRC; * And the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline, 1-800-272-3900. ? All three numbers offer that beautiful reminder… You are not alone. ? Please reach out if you need further affirmation: [email protected]. ?? ? Alzheimer's Association? Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter ADRC - Aging and Disability Resource Center #SoManyGoodbyes #Alzheimers #dementia #caregivers #ENDALZ #AlzheimersSupport #dementiaSupport #CaregiverSupport #ItTakesAVillage #AlzheimersFamily #dementiaFamily #AlzheimersDaughter

It’s the celebration of love and loyalty we need on Valentine’s Day and every day. ? Thor Nystrom – the phenomenal college football and NFL Draft Analyst for Fantasy Life – begins our “Voices of Dementia” series by talking about his amazing mom, Rachel Reabe Nystrom, a former MPR reporter and host now living with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. ? Yes, it’s a celebration of enduring love despite a cruel disease. But it’s also a reminder, none of us is alone. ? You can find “Hello Alzheimer’s” wherever you get your podcasts. ?? ? Thor Nystrom Karla Hult #HelloAlzheimers #SoManyGoodbyes #VoicesofDementia #ValentinesDay #Love #Loyalty #Alzheimers #dementia #earlyonset #Caregivers #AlzheimersPodcast #dementiaPodcast #caregiversPodcast #AlzheimersFamily #dementiaFamily #AlzheimersDaughter #AlzheimersSon