Dementia Discussions

In this episode, I sit down with Denise Stiel, a member of my caregiver support group who is navigating an incredibly difficult chapter with her husband, Norman. Denise and Norman have been married for 61 years. He was a brilliant, accomplished attorney who graduated from UCLA at just 19, built a successful career, and deeply loved his children and grandchildren. But as Norman’s ability to manage everyday life began to change, Denise found herself searching for answers—and struggling to get the

When someone has been part of the family for years, it's only natural for their role to grow over time. A trusted housekeeper or personal assistant may begin helping with grocery shopping, transportation, meal preparation, or even personal care. But when does that evolution become a problem? And how do families know when it's time to bring in professional caregiving support? In this episode, I'm joined by Steve Barlam, CEO of JFS Care and former president of the Aging Life Care Association. T...

In this deeply moving episode of Dementia Discussions, I sit down with Mary, a beloved member of my Dementia with Lewy Body support group through the UCLA Mary S. Easton Center. Mary shares the remarkable story of her husband, Dan, and their 15-year journey through dementia—a path marked by uncertainty, resilience, heartbreak, and ultimately, peace. From the earliest signs that something was changing to navigating multiple diagnoses, difficult behaviors, hallucinations, caregiving challenges, a

Caregiving for a parent with dementia can bring moments of profound love, grief, humor, and connection — and my conversation with Laura Kanofsky captures all of it. Laura shares the story of her mother’s journey from successful entrepreneur and fiercely independent businesswoman to living with dementia, while reflecting on the emotional realities of becoming both daughter and caregiver. We also explore the extraordinary impact of music therapy in dementia care and hospice. Laura explains how mu

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Donald Wiss, a retired orthopedic trauma surgeon and devoted husband, whose caregiving journey is as profound as it is heartbreaking. I first met Dr. Wiss at a small board and care here in Los Angeles, and I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand the love and dedication he brings to caring for his wife, Deborah, who was diagnosed with mixed vascular Alzheimer’s dementia. In our conversation, he takes us back through their incredible 50-year love story and s

In this episode of Dementia Discussions, I’m joined by Jefferson, a member of one of my caregiver support groups, who shares the powerful story of caring for his mother as she navigates dementia. Once a vibrant entrepreneur and theater producer, his mom was always the person bringing people together—making the changes in her memory and behavior especially difficult to witness. Jefferson opens up about recognizing the early signs of cognitive decline, navigating a diagnosis, and facing one of th