Does Alzheimer's or another form of dementia run in your family? Are you afraid that you're losing your memory or that you someday will? Are you trying to support someone you love who is grappling with dementia? If any of these scenarios applies to you, you'll find this episode both enlightening and comforting. My guest, Emerson Lee, is a memory-loss doula who specializes in preparing people for the possibility of getting dementia. Emerson employs tools and strategies to help people feel less panicked and overwhelmed, and more hopeful that they can go on to live a happy and fulfilling life—with or without dementia.
In this episode we discuss how people can channel their anxiety about memory loss into something more positive, such as tapping into music and other creative outlets. We examine why our culture makes it harder for patients to admit they're having memory problems and how anosognosia—the inability to recognize one's own dementia—can come into play.
If you're a family member, you'll appreciate Emerson's tips for cultivating an empowering atmosphere for your loved one, developing a side-by-side (as opposed to a confrontational) communication approach, navigating the complex elder-care system, and nurturing yourself as a caregiver.
I'm so excited to share with you this important conversation, which I hope will quell some of the anxiety and misconceptions you may have about living with or caring for someone with dementia. Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.
