Don't You Remember? Podcast

02/10/2024

Alzheimer's was a hard and beautiful journey with lady. Theba

View Barbara Kaye Lolley's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

19/07/2024

Though I'm taking a break from recording my podcast - there are 60+ episodes on my website to choose from. I know many are experiencing family concerns and it is scary when you don't know what to do first. I always say first, reach out to Alzheimer's Association - Arkansas Chapter or Alzheimer's Arkansas. The podcast has a wide variety of subjects of support for caregivers. https://www.dontyouremember.net/

11/07/2024

Informative article for caregivers. I do identify with the confusion of my own behavior. Trying to be patient and cooperative with my mom's inability to be a normal communicative adult. And, I do understand the NEED to connect with others on a regular bases. When I do, it's as if I'm learning how to communicate with normality and sensibility. But my friends understand and just let me chatter away sharing this and that - trying to be relatable. I can feel myself struggling at the beginning of interactions. I do this quick download of information as if time is running out. Thankfully, they offer me grace and I eventually settle down and feel normal, somewhat.

"Most caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s find themselves behaving in ways they know are counterproductive. The disease affects their brains, too."

"Cathy knew, of course, that she shouldn’t argue, that it was pointless to use logic and contradict her husband, but she couldn’t help herself."

"The vast majority of caregivers know full well that their spouses or parents are ill, yet they still behave in ways they know are counterproductive: arguing, blaming, insisting on reality, and taking symptoms personally."

Most caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s find themselves behaving in ways they know are counterproductive. The disease affects their brains, too

28/06/2024

Yesterday at the Alzheimer's Arkansas Caregivers Workshop I sat through an hour and a half of Dr. Pippenger's presentation. It was packed with heady valuable info about the complexities of dementia. He was at UAMS and now works at Baptist Health Memory Clinic in NLR. He is considered one the leading behavior neurologist in the state. He diagnosed my dad with lewy body dementia. A couple of things really stood out for me - making sense. One was a shock and the other was clarification of what I suspected. First, mom had Alzheimer's years prior to her diagnosis in 2017 - could be up 10 years prior. Amyloid plaques are forming way before you start start noticing weird and scary things. Meaning Alzheimer's doesn't happen suddenly. Second, he answered a question I had about trauma escalating the disease. In 2016, mom's sister died suddenly crushing mom with deep sadness. That's when the symptoms I already noticed over the years advanced substantially. He confirmed, it can. Heck I remember telling my co-workers and friends concerns I had about mom's behavior and memory probably around 2014ish. Anyway, presently I'm working on editing video for Youtube of Dr, Peppenger's presentation to help you understand some of the explanations and challenges of diagnosing the diseases caused by the syndrome of dementia.

25/06/2024

Taking time off from recording my podcast to focus on momma. But, there are 60+ episodes for you on my website.

"Don't you remember?" They are three common words. Yet, when spoken too often, they’re cause for alarm. When your loved ones begin their journey into dementia, your own life-altering pilgrimage is set in motion. The path holds countless challenges...

17/05/2024

Day 5 of Dementia Awareness Week. I've been sharing each day an incident/event at the very early stage of our journey, before Alzheimer's diagnoses, that caused intense anxiety and fear for the both of us. Today to end the week, I wanted to share the most important thing I learned attending caregiver support group. It is why I named my podcast Don't You Remember?, which I'm not recording presently. "Don't you remember?" They are three common words. Yet, when spoken too often, they’re cause for alarm. When your loved ones begin their journey into dementia, your own life-altering pilgrimage is set in motion. If you can limit saying this and "I've already told you," you can create a less stressful atmosphere for you and your loved one. It will take some time, so give yourself some grace. It's understandable you'll find yourself saying this a lot out of your own fear and confusion regarding your loved ones changes. But, it reenforces anxiety for them and they may not share much needed info with you. They already know something is not right. Reality is they don't remember, so work on answering them as if you haven't already done so with kindness and patience. If interested in previous episodes of my podcast go to https://www.dontyouremember.net/.

17/05/2024

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A new study in worms reveals a core set of insoluble proteins linked to both aging and Alzheimer's disease.

16/05/2024

Day 4 of Dementia Awareness Week. I'm sharing each day an incident/event at the very early stage of our journey, before Alzheimer's diagnoses, that caused intense anxiety and fear for the both of us. I mentioned panic attacks and the inability to maintain check book and paying bills. My mother's sister - her bestie - died in 2016. They were about to go on a trip together and she died after a blood clot issue. Grateful mom was with her, but it was a massive hit to mom emotionally. After this loss mom's confusion and disorientation increased. Yes, I could gather because of intense grief, but couldn't just leave it there based on other issues I'd experience years before. One day in 2017, mom asked me, "Theba, is Faye dead?" This was the point that I knew something more substantial was happening to mom. Mom's dementia symptoms increased dramatically after this loss. An exhilaration of events would follow, so I was to I began a more aggressive plan to get her tested for an official diagnosis, so could begin a plan of action. I signed up for Alzheimer's classes and got into support group. What I instinctively knew is I needed to limit her anxiety about JUST living. I would need to make personal life changes that would help us both. If you have concerns about a loved a one, reach out to Alzheimer's Arkansas or Alzheimer's Association - Arkansas Chapter.

15/05/2024

Day 3 of Dementia Awareness Week. I'm sharing each day an incident/event at the very early stage of our journey, before Alzheimer's diagnoses, that caused intense anxiety and fear for the both of us. Mom, Saturday and her check book. She prided herself on balancing her check book every Saturday - never late on paying bills either. But, Saturday's were beginning to be filled with tantrums, cause she couldn't do it and would give up angry. Soon I started to print out her statement to assist her, but to no avail. This concerned me so I started looking through her stack of bills and noticed some weren't even opened and close to being late. I told her we could start paying online - it was the new way! She was reluctant and paranoid, but surrendered slowly. This gave me the opportunity to gain control over something she was apparently losing control over. I stopped bills from being sent to the house. This was so helpful. Out of sight - out of mind. Now, it took some time to free her from this burden, but overtime she appeared relieved and I certainly was. I would say this was the most telling situation for me to realize this was more than cognitive memory impairment. Thus, it began my research into possible dementia, which scared me to death. If you have concerns or questions concerning a loved ones behavior or personality changes call Alzheimer's Association - Arkansas Chapter or Alzheimer's Arkansas. They will help you start the conversation.

14/05/2024

Day 2 of Dementia Awareness Week. I want to share each day an incident/event at the very early stage of our journey, before Alzheimer's diagnoses, that caused intense anxiety and fear for the both of us. Again, not sure, but could have been 2014 or 2015 - I was at work when mom called from her car in a panic, cause she was lost going to doctor office. A city she's lived in for over 40 years. It upset her so bad she just went home and I drove home to meet her to help calm her down and try and figure out what happened. As I mentioned yesterday, you have to assume at this point of stress they're struggling in more ways than letting on. The point of this example is accept - this is probably not a one-off, and that the only reason you know about it is the intensity of the event. Once you have a couple of these episodes you start to really pay attention to the smallest of hiccups and mishaps - they will add up. If you have concerns about your loved ones behavior and or personality changes call either Alzheimer's Association - Arkansas Chapter or Alzheimer's Arkansas. They will help you begin the conversation with your loved one, other family members and their doctor.

13/05/2024

Day 1 of Dementia Awareness Week. I want to share each day an incident/event at the very early stage of our journey, before Alzheimer's diagnoses, that caused intense anxiety for mom and great fear for me. Maybe it was 2014 or 2015, but one day while I was at work she called in a panic saying someone broke into the house and drank a coke. She had just gotten out of the shower walked into the kitchen to find a coke can on the table, but all the doors were locked. Mom was having a full blown panic attack. I did not believe someone had broke into the house, and it was obvious she did not believe it either. As I tried to calm her down she kept saying. "Theba what is wrong with me?" I raced home having my own panic attack. There had been odd things prior, but this one raised her awareness to such a level - she had to involve me. To be honest, I thought she'd had a stroke and so we went that direction with the doctor and got a scan etc. Nothing wrong there, so I was scratching my head - what is happening to mom? This incident highlighted how Alzheimer's was effecting her short term memory. And in the beginning these particular events will have your loved one really scared, cause they know somethings not right. Many times they will not share things with you out of fear. Be as patient and calm as you can be - I was not, but then again I was clueless about dementia. If you have questions - reach out to Alzheimer's Arkansas and Alzheimer's Association - Arkansas Chapter.

12/05/2024

Next week is Dementia Awareness Week - May 13-19. Starting Monday I will post a few events/episodes early on in our journey that caused intense anxiety for mom and alarmed me greatly. The point is to highlight some issues that at first her doctor termed - Cognitive Memory Impairment before leading to our final diagnoses of Alzheimer's. Everyones experience is different, but the misunderstandings and fears are relatively the same. If you suspect a loved one might be having cognitive memory troubles - share your concerns with Alzheimer's Association - Arkansas Chapter or Alzheimer's Arkansas. They have the insight and advice and how to approach your loved one and their doctor. It is a bumpy ride at the beginning, but gets a tad easier with knowledge

02/05/2024

Revisiting a story from May 2023, mom's birthday month. While watching this again, I can see how she's physically changed in a year. She would not be able to navigate the backyard today and has lost a bunch of weight. BUT, her joy for life is still if not more vibrant. If you are a caregiver, please know there is support for you and your family. Alzheimer's Association - Arkansas Chapter, Alzheimer's Arkansas, Hospice Home Care, First Choice Senior Care and more.

Alzheimer’s is slowly starting to take over Barbara Lolley’s life. Her routine is changing, and her memories are slowly slipping away.

29/04/2024

I'm taking the summer off from recording podcast. Here are all my episodes thus far.

"Don't you remember?" They are three common words. Yet, when spoken too often, they’re cause for alarm. When your loved ones begin their journey into dementia, your own life-altering pilgrimage is set in motion. The path holds countless challenges...

12/03/2024

The hardest part about Alzheimer's disease is the ups and downs they have both physically and mentally. One day they can't leave the bed or walk straight, cause they're so wiped out and confused - then next day, "Hey, I've got to go outside and pick up leaves," with joy in her heart. The emotional shift for the caregiver...well...can wipe me out too somedays. But, I have friends who've been through the process like Betsy Broyles Arnold that I can lean on for guidance. She gave me some great insight, clarity and support today, cause the problem for caregivers is second guessing their decisions. There was not one thing I shared with her today that she could not relate to and had a suggestion or encouragement. Most important was prayer. Betsy has a great resource for caregivers - https://broylesfoundation.org/playbook/

01/03/2024

Recorded my last podcast for my Youtube channel where I store some of my fun and significant memories. Carolyn and I discuss why I'm pausing the Don't You Remember? Podcast for a season or two. And, we celebrate the start of her new podcast for Alzheimer's Arkansas - "I Didn't Sign Up For This." Life is full of shifts/transitions and I have and will fully trust in God's leading, but will always be full of nervous inquires, but He's use to that. ☺

This is my last podcast for a season or two as I focus more on my mom's needs and care. Of course, I wanted my last episode to feature my mentor and friend C...

23/02/2024

I asked Hospice Home Care to do a podcast takeover because this is such an important subject - understanding hospice and palliative care. I recently signed mom up for palliative care as her Alzheimer's progresses and is now experiencing some physical complications. Sam and Jared do a great job explaining the positive aspects and misunderstandings about hospice. Thank you to them both for their passion and service. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1824623/14557302

08/02/2024

WOWZA! Thank you for sharing this info with me Lara Woloszyn. I sure would love to have someone talk about this on my podcast - can you make that happen young lady? 😍

LITTLE ROCK — A potential new drug to prevent Alzheimer’s disease in people with the so-called Alzheimer’s gene has been discovered by a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) research team led by Sue Griffin, Ph.D. The findings were published Jan. 8 in Communications Biology and i...