Finding Joy in the Present: Embracing Dementia's Silver Lining with Valerie Rennert
Listen now
Description
My special guest this week is Valerie Rennert, who opens up about her father's journey with dementia. She shares how their family first became aware of his condition and the ways they tried to support him. Despite the challenges, Valerie emphasizes the silver lining: her father's happiness in the present moment, free from stress.  Valerie fondly remembers her father, who was larger than life and incredibly intelligent. However, as the years went by, they began to notice changes in his memory and cognitive abilities. While his short-term memory is affected, he surprises everyone with his ability to engage in deep conversations, only to repeat them shortly after. We also learn about his passion for playing bridge and how, even in his current state, he continues to enjoy the game. She reflects on the difficult decisions they've had to make and the regrets of not transitioning him to an independent living facility sooner. Despite the challenges, Valerie expresses gratitude for the amazing caregivers who provide round-the-clock support for her father. 
More Episodes
In this heartfelt episode of Dementia Discussions, I’m joined by the incredible Kitty Norton, a former assistant editor turned caregiver, blogger, and filmmaker. Kitty shares her inspiring journey from her mother’s dementia diagnosis to becoming her primary caregiver, a role that profoundly...
Published 11/19/24
Published 11/19/24
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sherri, a devoted caregiver whose husband Ray has been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. Sherri shares her journey, from noticing the first subtle changes in Ray's behavior to the emotional and practical challenges they face today.We delve...
Published 09/10/24