In this episode of Gut Punched, Alzheimer's and Caregivers, we dive deep into the emotional and practical aspects of caregiving for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease. I, Jeff Edwards, your host, emphasize that caregiving can feel overwhelming and isolating, but it's crucial to remember you are not alone on this journey.

We reflect on the positive feedback from our previous episode featuring Dr. Rie Aihara, who discussed the intriguing connection between gut health and brain function. If you missed it, you can catch up anytime at gutpunch.com.

Today's discussion centers around maintaining relationships with loved ones affected by Alzheimer's, drawing insights from a WebMD article. We explore how the disease alters emotional and behavioral responses, underscoring the need for caregivers to adapt their expectations and approaches. Dr. Virginia Wadley Bradley's insights remind us that understanding the disease is key to providing empathy and support.

I share five practical tips for relationship-centered care, including recognizing familiar sparks of joy in your loved one, rolling with the unpredictability of Alzheimer's symptoms, redefining expectations, maintaining closeness with family, and, most importantly, taking care of yourself as a caregiver.

We also hear from Dr. John Huffaker, who addresses a listener's concern about an elderly father's increasing forgetfulness, highlighting the importance of consulting a neurologist when memory issues affect daily life.

Lastly, I provide updates on the upcoming Walk to End Alzheimer's events and share valuable resources for caregivers, including support networks and community programs. Remember, this journey may be challenging, but with the right support and knowledge, we can navigate it together. Thank you for joining me today, and I hope you find encouragement and hope in our discussion.

In Episode 111 of Gut Punched: Alzheimer’s and Caregivers, host Jeff Edwards welcomes Dr. Rie Aihara from Revitalize for an eye-opening conversation about one of today's fastest-growing areas of Alzheimer's research, the gut-brain connection.

Researchers are discovering that the trillions of bacteria living inside our digestive system, known as the microbiome, may play a much bigger role in overall brain health than anyone once imagined. We'll explore how an unhealthy gut can contribute to chronic inflammation throughout the body, why inflammation has become an important focus in Alzheimer's research, and how your digestive health may influence what happens in your brain.

Does eating junk food cause Alzheimer's? No, but the foods we eat, the balance of healthy bacteria in our gut, and our overall lifestyle may all play important roles in maintaining brain health.

Dr. Aihara explains the science in an easy-to-understand way while offering practical tips that caregivers and families can begin using today to support better gut health.

Also in this episode:

• Dr. John Huffaker returns with another edition of What's New with Alzheimer's.

• We answer a listener question about managing agitation in Alzheimer's patients.

• We begin sharing information about the 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer's and how you can become involved in your community.

Whether you're caring for someone with Alzheimer's, interested in protecting your own brain health, or simply curious about the latest research, this conversation offers hope, practical advice, and a fascinating look at where Alzheimer's science is headed.

Hashtags

#GutPunchedPodcast #Alzheimers #Caregiver #Caregiving #GutBrainConnection #Microbiome #BrainHealth #Inflammation #Dementia #HealthyLiving #AlzheimersResearch #WalkToEndAlzheimers #HealthPodcast #FamilyCaregiver #HopeWithoutHype

Available on The Podcast Playground: Apple, Spotify, Pandora, PodBean, iHeart, YouTube, and GUTPUNCHED.COM

In Episode 110 of Gut Punched: Alzheimer’s and Caregivers, host Jeff Edwards takes a closer look at one of the most important questions facing caregivers today:

What Alzheimer's research is actually helping patients, and what may be getting oversold?

With new studies, treatments, and headlines appearing almost daily, it can be difficult to separate genuine progress from unrealistic promises. Jeff explores the concept of "Hope Without Hype," using information gathered via AI tools such as ChatGPT and Grok as a starting point to discuss current Alzheimer's research and emerging treatment options.

You'll also hear about a promising new copper-based drug that researchers believe may help remove toxic proteins and plaques from the brain by activating the brain's own immune cells, called microglia.

Plus:

• The Five Caregiver Rules that have become the foundation of GutPunched
• Why caregiver support groups remain one of the most valuable resources available
• An update from Dr. John Huffaker in "What's New With Alzheimer's"
• A listener question about Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA), a rare form of Alzheimer's disease that affects visual processing and perception

As always, this episode offers practical information, encouragement, and real-world guidance for caregivers navigating one of life's most difficult journeys.

Remember: We're all in the same river, but we're not all in the same boat.

#Hashtags

#GutPunchedPodcast #Alzheimers #Caregiving #CaregiverSupport #AlzheimersResearch #HopeWithoutHype #DementiaCare #FamilyCaregivers #BrainHealth #PosteriorCorticalAtrophy #MemoryLoss #DrJohnHuffaker #AlzheimersAwareness #CaregiverLife #Podcast

Available on The Podcast Playground: Apple, Spotify, Pandora, PodBean, iHeart, YouTube, and GUTPUNCHED.COM

In this episode, host Jeff Edwards reminds us of one of the most important caregiving lessons: you can't do this alone. Whether in-person or online, caregiver support groups can provide encouragement, education, and a sense of community during one of life's most challenging journeys.

This week, we explore exciting developments in Alzheimer's research, including a simple blood test that may help detect and stage the disease earlier than ever.

We'll also discuss common habits that may be harming your brain health without you even realizing it, and what you can do to protect your cognitive future.

Plus, Dr. John Huffaker returns for another edition of "What's New with Alzheimer's," answering a listener's question about mini-strokes and their relationship to Alzheimer's disease.

Jeff also shares updates on:

• The upcoming 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer's events

• The continuing development of the original caregiver anthem, "GutPunched: I Still Choose You"

• And a reminder of the Five Caregiver Tenets that form the foundation of the GutPunched community.

Whether you're caring for a spouse, parent, family member, or friend, this episode offers practical information, encouragement, and hope for the caregiving journey.

Because caregivers need support, too.

GutPunchedPodcast #Alzheimers #CaregiverSupport #Caregiving #DementiaCare #BrainHealth #MemoryLoss #AlzheimersAwareness #FamilyCaregiver #CaregiverLife #DrJohnHuffaker #WalkToEndAlzheimers #HopeForAlzheimers #CognitiveHealth #Podcast

Available on The Podcast Playground: Apple, Spotify, Pandora, PodBean, iHeart, YouTube, and GUTPUNCHED.COM

In this episode of Gut Punched: Alzheimer’s and Caregivers, host Jeff Edwards returns to the conversation with Dr. Lauren P. Brown from The Alzheimer’s Experience for Part 2 of an insightful and engaging interview that caregivers won’t want to miss.

Part 1 originally aired back in Episode 102, and yes, Jeff admits the delay getting to Part 2 is on him. Between recording interviews, editing audio, producing the podcast, and trying to make every guest sound as professional and easy to listen to as possible, the process can take hours… sometimes as many as 12 hours for a single episode.

But good conversations are worth the wait.

Jeff and Dr. Brown continue their candid discussion about the Alzheimer’s journey, caregiving realities, and emerging possibilities in treatment and support.

One topic that may surprise listeners: Could Ultrasound Therapy become a breakthrough treatment, or even a cure, for Alzheimer’s disease? We’ll explore the growing conversation around this developing technology.

Plus, Dr. John Huffaker returns with another edition of “What’s New with Alzheimer’s,” where we look at current developments, research, and caregiver information making headlines in the Alzheimer’s world.

And we answer another listener question this time focusing on Men vs. Women and how Alzheimer’s may affect them differently.

Real talk. Real help. Real hope.

#Alzheimers #Caregiving #Healthcare #BrainHealth #DementiaCare #FamilyCaregiver #Podcast #Leadership #Aging #MentalHealth

Available on Podcast Playground: Apple, Spotify, Pandora, iHeart, PodBean, YouTube, and GUTPUNCHED.COM.

In this episode of Gut Punched: Alzheimer’s and Caregivers, host Jeff Edwards tackles one of the most important and often overlooked parts of the caregiving journey: legal planning and protection.

Jeff sits down with Elder Law Attorney Ehren Frey from Zacharia Frey PLLC for an informative and practical conversation about:
• Power of Attorney
• Medical Power of Attorney
• Trusts & Wills
• Medicaid Planning
• Protecting Assets
• Planning Ahead Before a Crisis Happens

This is the kind of information caregivers desperately need… but often struggle to find until it’s too late.

We’ll also discuss exciting new research on a nasal spray that may help restore brain function and improve cognitive health, a fascinating development that’s sparking a lot of discussion in the Alzheimer’s and brain health community.

Plus:
• “What’s New with Alzheimer’s” with Dr. John Huffaker
• A listener's question about the APOE4 gene and what it may mean for families concerned about Alzheimer’s risk

As always, GutPunched is here to bring caregivers real talk, real help, and real hope.

Hashtags

#GutPunchedPodcast #Alzheimers #CaregiverSupport #DementiaCare #FamilyCaregiver #Caregiving #ElderLaw #BrainHealth #AlzheimersAwareness #DementiaSupport #MedicaidPlanning #PowerOfAttorney #APOE4 #MemoryCare #CaregiverLife #Podcast

Available on The Podcast Playground: Apple, Spotify, Pandora, PodBean, iHeart, YouTube, and GUTPUNCHED.COM

Episode 106 of GutPunched continues the honest conversation about caregiving, brain health, and the realities families face while navigating Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss.

Host Jeff Edwards opens the show by encouraging caregivers to stay connected and involved, especially through support groups and caregiver meetings, where education, encouragement, and understanding can make a major difference.

This week’s episode covers several important topics for caregivers and families, including:

• How the BrightFocus Foundation and its partner FreeWill are helping people create or update their wills

• New insights from the Alzheimer's Association 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report

• A closer look at the percentage of dementia caregivers who report chronic health conditions and the serious impact caregiving stress can have on caregiver mortality and overall health

Listeners will also hear another edition of “What’s New with Alzheimer’s” featuring Dr. John Huffaker, along with a listener question focused on Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), current studies, and available medications.

As always, Jeff shares the FIVE TENETS of caregiving that continue to guide the GutPunched community:
Take care of yourself. Don’t do this alone. Use your support system. Create a help signal. And give caregiving everything you’ve got while you’re in it.

Supported by:

• Neuropsychiatric Research Center

• Heart, Body, & Mind Home Care

• Live Younger Today

#Alzheimers #Caregivers #DementiaCare #BrainHealth #MCI #CaregiverStress #FamilyCaregiver #HealthyAging #MemoryCare #CaregiverSupport #EstatePlanning #AlzheimersAwareness #GutPunchedPodcast #ChronicStress #SeniorCare

Available on Podcast Playground, Apple, Spotify, Pandora, iHeart, PodBean, and GUTPUNCHED.COM.

On this episode of GutPunched, host Jeff Edwards opens the show with a heartfelt Memorial Day reflection, honoring the sacrifices made by service members while also recognizing the importance of slowing down, recharging, and taking care of ourselves in today’s demanding world.

This week’s episode explores several important topics affecting seniors and caregivers right now, including:

• How to help protect seniors with dementia from scams and fraud

• The best brain foods for adults over 40

• New research on how virgin olive oil may improve gut bacteria and support brain health

Listeners will also hear another edition of “What’s New with Alzheimer’s” featuring Dr. John Huffaker, along with a listener Q&A segment focused on Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), one of the most misunderstood early warning signs connected to cognitive decline.

As always, Jeff shares the FIVE TENETS of caregiving that continue to guide the GutPunched community: Take care of yourself. Ask for help. Use your support system. Create a help signal. And above all, give caregiving your all while you’re in it.

Supported by:

• Neuropsychiatric Research Center

• Heart, Body, & Mind Home Care

• Live Younger Today

#Alzheimers #Caregivers #DementiaCare #BrainHealth #MCI #FamilyCaregiver #AgingParents #CaregiverSupport #HealthyAging #MemoryCare #PodcastLife #GutPunchedPodcast #BrainFoods #SeniorSafety #AlzheimersAwareness

Available on The Podcast Playground: Apple, Spotify, Pandora, PodBean, iHeart, YouTube, and GUTPUNCHED.COM