Caregiving for an Alzheimer’s Patient [Episode 116]
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Attorney-CPA Joe Cordell and co-host Susan Arthur are joined by Cynthia Fantasia, pastor, national speaker and author of the book “In the Lingering Light: Courage and Hope for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver” to discuss the challenges surrounding dementia and Alzheimer’s. She talks about her personal experience dealing with her husband’s Alzheimer’s and her journey caregiving for him.
Cynthia talks about developing a support system during her husband’s illness through her church and the struggle that many face in wanting to help a caregiver. She also stresses the importance of those that want to help, to put themselves in the world of the caregiver.
Cynthia highlights the importance of finding a doctor that works best for the patient and the caregiver, as well as the emotional challenges she personally faced when bringing her husband to a memory care facility. She describes the advantages that these types of facilities offer to dementia and Alzheimer’s patients who need additional care.
Cynthia also talks about having “the conversation,” regarding medical care and making your wishes known. She was able to honor her husband’s wishes because of having such a difficult conversation and advocates doing the same for those facing similar circumstances. She also touches on the financial side of the situation, through meeting with an elder law attorney and qualifying for Medicaid.
