Navigating the insidious illness of Alzheimer’s is something nobody asks for. The disease sneaks up on you and your loved one, and it feels like you’ve been sucker-punched in the gut when you get the diagnosis from a doctor. So many things race through your mind: why us? What do we do? We worked so hard to get to this point in life. We just moved here after we both worked for 30 years, sold our house up North, and retired to Florida to enjoy our “golden years”. It’s not fair! Who’s going to take care of her/him? I don’t know a thing about this illness. She’s always done the cooking; I don’t even know how to boil water. He's always taken care of me and everything else like Finances. I don’t even drive! And it goes on and on. Facing this disease will bring you to your knees. Once you get over the initial shock (GUT PUNCHED), the questions and fears take hold. Where do we turn for help? Who do I call? What do I do? How do you take care of someone with Alzheimer's? Are there support groups? And questions like these just keep coming. I am a caregiver. I wasn’t before. Well, not this kind of caregiver. My wife was officially diagnosed in January of 2018. I had a sneaking suspicion that she might have something like this about 2 years earlier. So, when I brought it to my Neurologist, he sent us to a very nice Psychologist who specializes in testing patients to determine more accurately what is going on. It was a question-and-answer session, followed by a very detailed testing procedure that usually takes 3 or more hours. The patient has to complete the test comprising of questions, simple actions, and memory tests, then give them a couple of numbers or words then move on, going back to the numbers or words a short time later.

So moving forward, I asked all the same questions as mentioned earlier. What are my options? So I “sucked it up”-Manned up so to speak. It's part of the deal for better or worse, right? So began my quest for information on support groups, doctors, anything I could get my hands on. It's been 6 years, and I am still looking for everything and anything that will help me crawl through this unchartered path to enlightenment. I was very fortunate to live in a city that has numerous resources to tap into. Most importantly, it's a place named after someone who suffered from Alzheimer’s. His wife provided the money to start the Alvin Dubin Center: The Dubin Center for short. Their mission is to achieve caregiver health, strength, and resilience by providing education, information, hope, and compassion. And boy do they. I leaned on them for everything I could find. Took all kinds of classes to learn what I needed to do to be the caregiver I have to be. Their caregiver class took about 6 weeks. The material we learned from, and the instructors, were top-notch. I still go back to the notes I took, and the books we used: both as refreshers and inspiration. Hopefully, no matter where you are listening to this, there will be a place like the Dubin Center. If not, don’t despair. The info is out there. That’s what this podcast is about. We’d like to share our resources, our experiences, our heartbreak, and our little victories. From time to time, we’d like to bring in Physicians, Nurses, Experts, and people like you and me, who are going through this disease with our loved ones who are willing to share their journey. The first thing that really stuck with me, and hopefully it will be with you. If you are a caregiver, you must first take care of yourself. Because this is not a sprint, but a marathon. And if you are run down, get sick, or worse.... Who’s going to take care of your spouse, mother, father, or child? Think about that for a few seconds. It’s you, the Caregiver. It’s me the Caregiver. That’s why we’re here. Gut Punched: Alzheimer’s & Caregivers! Thanks for joining us...now let's get going.

In this heartfelt and candid episode of Gut Punched, host Jeff Edwards explores what he lovingly calls a “not a sexy topic”, the often unglamorous but vital conversations around Alzheimer’s disease and caregiving. With his signature blend of humor, honesty, and empathy, Jeff reminds listeners that while this subject might not be flashy, it's one that matters deeply—and sooner or later, touches all of us.

Returning to the podcast is Christine LeConte, Director of The Dubin Center, previously featured in Episode 25. One year later, Christine shares updates on how the center is progressing with its 2025 goals and what lies ahead for 2026. Spoiler alert: The Dubin Center is thriving, offering more support, resources, and community for those impacted by dementia.

The episode also dives into an article highlighting lifestyle and environmental factors that can increase your risk of developing dementia, continuing the show’s mission of educating and empowering caregivers and families with actionable insight.

Jeff reiterates the core tenets of caregiving that define the GutPunched ethos:

1. Care for yourself first; you can’t pour from an empty cup.

2. Don’t go it alone, seek help, community, and support.

3. Make & use support lists, know who’s offered help and what you need done.

4. Create a help signal, a shared cue to ensure your loved one feels safe with outside caregivers.

As always, Jeff brings real talk for real people navigating the emotional rollercoaster of Alzheimer’s and caregiving, offering not just resources, but hope, humor, and heart.

🔔 Listen, Subscribe & Share

If this episode resonates with you or someone you know, subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Share this podcast with caregivers, families, and friends, because while caregiving may not be “sexy,” it’s life-changing, and no one should do it alone.

Thank you for listening to Gut Punched: Alzheimer’s and Caregivers EP 73 Not A Sexy Topic.

In this deeply personal episode, Jeff Edwards continues his journey with his wife’s rare and severe reaction to Alzheimer’s medication. After a terrifying hospital stay involving brain swelling and bleeds, Jeff shares powerful lessons learned about home health care, insurance, and pre-crisis planning.

From creating a list of home health providers to ensuring your insurance covers the right services, Jeff’s lessons are invaluable for anyone caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Plus, get insights into the critical connection between gut health and Alzheimer’s risk, with tips on brain-boosting diets.

Key Takeaways:

• Why reading the fine print on insurance documents can make all the difference.

• How to prepare before a health crisis strikes.

• The importance of self-care as a caregiver.

If you're supporting someone with Alzheimer's, this episode is a must-listen.

👉 Tune in NOW on Podcast Playground, PodBean, Apple, Spotify, Pandora, GUTPUNCHED.COM & more!

GutPunched: Alzheimer’s & Caregivers – Episode 72
Part 3: My Wife is in the 1%