Understanding and Coping with Generational Love and Loss

·37 min·3 clips

RJ stopped visiting his grandmother with Alzheimer's because she became unrecognizable, then felt numb when she died.

The episode begins with host Lori LaBay introducing the show and its resources, including AlzheimerSpeaks.com and Dementia Map. She welcomes guest RJ, who shares his background as a residential counselor and his personal connection to Alzheimer's through his grandmother. RJ details her diagnosis at 63, her aggressive behaviors like attacking with silverware, and her placement in nursing homes during COVID, where mask-wearing confused her. He expresses guilt over reducing visits as she became 'zombie-like' and his numbness after her 2021 death. RJ explains how her passing and his son's birth inspired him to write a children's book about hereditary Alzheimer's, aiming to prepare his son and honor his grandmother. Lori and RJ discuss the challenges of medications for Alzheimer's, with Lori noting her mother's experience with Aricept. RJ describes starting a Facebook group for awareness before turning to writing. He emphasizes his goal to include children in conversations about dementia, helping them cope and become advocates. Lori shares personal anecdotes about her mother and grandchildren to illustrate spiritual connections and the importance of involving children in grief. RJ talks about the positive response to his book, including outreach from schools and individuals sharing their stories. He stresses that his primary aim is advocacy, not profit, and mentions future projects on ALS and epilepsy. The episode concludes with contact information for RJ and a call to share resources.

As heard by us

A reflective conversation on dementia, family memory, and the quiet work of writing through loss.

The episode follows dementia, generational love and loss, and the way a children's book can give form to feelings that resist easy language. Lori LeBay keeps the conversation grounded and humane while the guest talks about how children often meet aging and illness with less…

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Listen for a calmer way to talk about dementia across generations.

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