“Meaningful relationships and social connections are essential components of our overall health” —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   Many of us deeply value our connections to family, friends, and our wider community, understanding that these relationships are crucial for our mental and emotional health. Renowned athletes like Michael Phelps have emphasized the importance of these connections, highlighting how they support our overall well-being.  Join me in this episode as we...

"Just because it's a nursing home, doesn't mean they're doomed to be in there forever." —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   Many families face the difficult decision of choosing the right care setting for their aging loved ones. You may have promised never to place your loved one in a nursing home, yet sometimes a skilled nursing facility is the most appropriate setting for their care needs.    Join us for this episode where we'll discuss the basics of housing and care options...

“If you aren't taking care of yourself, you can't take care of anybody else.” —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   Caring for individuals living with dementia is a profound act of love and dedication, but it also comes with its unique set of challenges. Caregivers often find themselves facing a tough journey filled with uncertainty, frustration, and emotional strain. In this episode, we'll talk about ways to help caregivers, offering insights to reduce stress and prevent...

“Women are more likely than men to have the mutated gene (APOE4) associated with Alzheimer's disease.” —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   Alzheimer's disease is a complex neurodegenerative condition with various risk factors. Women face a higher risk due to multiple contributing factors.  In this episode, we explore some of the reasons that women may have a higher risk for developing dementia in their lifetime.   THE IMPACT OF MENOPAUSE ON ALZHEIMER'S RISK   Alzheimer's...

“As a nurse, I'm all about lifestyle strategies and preventing Alzheimer’s from even happening to us” —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   Alzheimer's disease poses a significant threat to individuals and societies worldwide due to its devastating impact on cognitive function and quality of life. Although a cure has not been found, ongoing research gives hope for better treatments to ease symptoms, slow down the disease, and make life better for people with Alzheimer's.   THE...

“Once diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, on average, individuals tend to live 5 to 8 years” —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   Lewy body dementia (LBD) is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or overlooked, yet it affects millions worldwide. Join me as I explain one of the complicated types of dementia. In this week’s episode, we’ll explore Lewy body dementia, understand its symptoms, causes, stages, and how it can be treated.    WHAT IS LEWY BODY DEMENTIA?   Lewy Body...

“Symptoms of Parkinson's disease are gradual and they're very subtle.” —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   What is Parkinson's disease dementia? How does it manifest differently from other forms of dementia? Join me in this insightful episode where we answer these questions and discuss more of its symptoms and available medication. WHAT IS PARKINSON’S DISEASE?   Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive disorder affecting individuals over 50, characterized by motor issues such as...

“Understanding the unique needs of each resident requires a holistic approach that goes beyond medical care.” —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   In this episode, Melissa Batchelor and Rebecca Adelman explore the crucial topic of managing expectations in assisted living. Drawing from their extensive experience, they shed light on the five key domains that significantly impact residents and their families in assisted living facilities. DOMAIN 1: COMMUNICATION   We discuss the...

All dementias don't look the same; they don't show up the same way that Alzheimer's disease does.  —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN Listen to today's episode where I talk about frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a rare kind of dementia. I'll walk you through how FTD is different from Alzheimer's disease and share insights into why seeking medical care is crucial if any of these symptoms are interrupting your life or the life of a loved one.   People with frontotemporal...

WHAT IS VASCULAR DEMENTIA? Vascular dementia is a type of dementia linked to issues with blood flow to the brain. It ranks as the second most common type of dementia, occurring in about 15 to 30% of all dementia cases. In this episode, we explore its symptoms, risk factors, and the unique challenges it carries. SYMPTOMS AND RISK FACTORS Symptoms of vascular dementia can manifest suddenly or gradually over time. Individuals may experience cognitive problems, including poor memory, language...

The challenges caused by dementia can affect your ability to function in your daily life. —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   What are the different types of dementia and how to differentiate them?   Dementia is a group of symptoms that affect memory, language, problem-solving, and thinking skills, impacting your daily life.   Tune in to today’s episode where I’ll explain in detail what dementia is, discuss common types, and share insights on how to recognize them and access...

When someone insists that you should “dress your age,” it's inherently an ageist remark. —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   What does it mean to be told that you need to “dress your age”? At its core, being told to “dress your age” is an ageist statement.    Has anyone ever said something along these lines to you? Or maybe you restrict yourself by saying that you’re “too old” or “too young” to wear a certain style of clothing or shoes? Or have a certain hairstyle? Or how you...

The speed at which dementia progresses varies a lot from person to person.  —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   How does Alzheimer’s disease and dementia progress?   The speed at which dementia progresses varies a lot from person to person based on a lot of factors.    Tune in to today’s episode where I’ll talk you through the progression of dementia through the different stages and access two free resources that you can download: One on the 10 Warning Signs  of Alzheimer’s...

There is no single test that can determine if you have Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or a blend of both.  —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   Have you ever wondered why it takes so long to get to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia?    The good news is that it should take a bit of time – because it is a diagnosis of exclusion – meaning any other issues have to be ruled out. So it’s a little more complicated than a single test can tell us.   In...

Be especially cautious with anticholinergics if you are concerned about your memory, diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, or want to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.  —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   Anticholinergics are medications that block acetylcholine, a crucial neurotransmitter in the body. This blocking leads to lower brain function and can cause drowsiness. While some people take these drugs for their sedative effects, these drugs can be problematic...

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease requires careful planning and consideration, especially when it comes to medical appointments. —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease requires careful planning and consideration, especially when it comes to medical appointments. Even helping an aging parent with medical visits can be challenging with so many different health record portals and not all systems or providers talk to one another. ...

Watch out for warning signs of Alzheimer's when talking to someone you love or even your own self.  —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN Are you or a loved one worried about memory issues? If you answer yes to 1 or more of these warning signs, please make an appointment with your local provider to get your memory checked out.    It's a good idea to keep a journal about any symptoms you are seeing with dates and descriptions of events. Many of these memory signs could be...

While forgetfulness is normal, be wary of the warning signs of Alzheimer's and dementia. —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN Let’s dive into this week’s episode where I’ll be talking about the Difference between Alzheimer’s Disease and Forgetfulness. Forgetfulness happens during those moments when you can't find your phone or you forget what you were going to say. It's totally normal and happens to everyone. Dementia, on the other hand, is a bigger deal. It doesn't go away....

Honing in your message is such a valuable communication skill set.   —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   As a board-certified pediatrician, author, podcaster and social media maven, Dr. Carole Keim has seamlessly transitioned from meeting clients in clinics to connecting with them in non-traditional ways.    Dr. Keim has been providing reliable medical advice to new and anxious parents all around the world in formats that are accessible from anywhere, meets new parents where...

 We need a better way to translate studies and science  into something the public can understand. —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   As a profession, nursing has struggled to effectively engage with the media, resulting in significant underrepresentation in most news stories. The primary experts sought out for healthcare stories are physicians, but nurses often aren’t proactive about engaging with the media either. Around 20 years ago, the Woodhull study examined nurses...

As a caregiver, seeking help is a strength and not a weakness.  —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   When it comes to being a caregiver to a person living with Alzheimer’s disease, it takes a village. Caregiving can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone.    Join me for this week’s episode where I’m talking about Join me for this week’s episode where I’m talking about why and how to build a care team. Stay tuned to the end and I’ll share a free handout to get you...

People experience the benefits of aging gracefully when they hold onto positive beliefs and manage 'stinking thinking.' —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   Did you know that anxiety and depression are two major mental health problems affecting older adults today, according to the World Health Organization? What's even more intriguing is how they often go hand in hand, making their impact even more overwhelming.    It's only natural for us to wish these feelings away and strive...

Managing medications in Alzheimer's care is a task that requires a delicate blend of organization and empathy.  —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN Staying on top of medications when caring for a person living with Alzheimer’s disease can be very challenging for caregivers - from getting organized, making sure medications are taken each time, to dealing with the person refusing to take their medications at all.    In this week’s episode, I share five tips to help caregivers...

Emergency numbers are the kind of thing you may not fully appreciate until you need them.    —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN Would you know how to contact 911 for a loved one who lives in a different state?    Many people assume that if you call 911 in your local area that they would be able to connect you to the municipality that your loved one lives in – but that’s not always the case.    Join me for this week’s episode where Rebecca Murphy from Maryland shares her...