For caregivers who have watched a loved one decline from the terrible diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Cancer; the question is often asked, “Will this happen to me? Is there anything I can do to prevent this?” If you are in The Sandwich Generation, you also know that finding time for self care is hard (See Episode 4: Self Care is a SCAM!). Suddenly we see ourselves shifting - we are setting our vanity aside and health and wellness have become about preserving our bodies and MINDS for aging - and living in the now! In this episode we welcome Rachel Daugherty of BootyandBrains.co who has built something truly remarkable and made the internet buzz about - gasp - brain health! She’s a sandwiched parent who has ushered her own mother through a fraught battle with Alzheimer's - and built us all a resource on both educating and empowering our bodies and minds! Rachel is inspiring hundreds of thousands of people and we are lucky to have her with us today!

Links and Resources:

@bootyandbrains.co - Follow Rachel, her knowledge and hilarity here on her instagram account!

BootyandBrains.co - Sign up for Rachel’s class. A clear guided path to reducing your risk of Alzheimer's by building sustainable daily habits.

Momentous - A Rachel-endorsed brand for Creatine and Fish Oil supplements. (Code B&B for 20% off)

Only 3% of Alzheimer's cases are based exclusively on genetics. See the study here.

Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care Article - Read all about it here.

Research and Progress from The Alzheimer’s Association

Takeaways

It's not just about working out for vanity’s sake anymore; it's about holistic, long term health.

Caregiving changes our perspective on our own health.

Alzheimer's prevention is largely about lifestyle choices.

Just because Alzheimer’s affected your loved one, doesn’t automatically mean it will happen to you.

We can make small changes - in our diet and movement - that make a big impact on our health overall and play a part in Alzheimer’s prevention.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Rachel Daugherty of BootyandBrains.co

02:03 Rachel's Personal Journey with Caregiving and Alzheimer's

08:14 Building a Business out of grief - and one that impacts everyone

14:34 Our brains, our bodies and the science behind Alzheimer's prevention

29:04 The boring basics of self care that make a BIG difference

31:35 There is hope in Alzheimer's prevention

34:26 How being a caregiver gives you perspective on your own health

39:39 Giving your body 'equipment' for aging

42:05 "My health is bigger than me" - Talking to your kids about brain health and o

Almost everyone knows someone who has Alzheimer’s Disease. For many of us in The Sandwich Generation, this diagnosis was also the moment we became caregivers for our loved ones. But it’s all so confusing - is it Alzheimer’s? Is it Dementia? How do I bring up this conversation with my parents? Am I genetically dispositioned to get this too? WTF!

In this episode, co-hosts Eliesa Johnson and Robyn Frank have an incredibly candid and informative conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Edgerly, Senior Director of Community Programs and Services at the Alzheimer’s Association. Dr. Edgerly shares her personal story of walking alongside her mother with Lewy Body Dementia, along with answering all our questions - and giving HOPE to the future of Alzheimer’s. This episode is for us all - what we can do for Alzheimer's prevention, knowledge about the latest groundbreaking treatments and most importantly - how we, as caregivers, can bring humanity and Person Centered Care to our loved ones!

Takeaways

The difference between Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

Getting the correct diagnosis is crucial for treatment.

What to do when you notice cognitive changes in your parent.

Explaining the early, middle and late stages of Alzheimer’s.

Lifestyle changes can significantly impact brain health and reduce risk.

Genetic factors play a role in Alzheimer's risk, but lifestyle can mitigate this.

Hormonal changes in women may increase Alzheimer's risk and with caregiving, it’s a double whammy.

Support resources are available for caregivers and those diagnosed at ALZ.org.

Links and Resources:

Alzheimer’s Association Website

The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Worksheet

My ALZ Journey - a new app brought to you by the Alzheimer's Association that puts all of their resources in one easy place for people who are first diagnosed

The Empowered Caregiver - Support Groups, Local Chapters and Online Community for caregivers to those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

24/7 Helpline - Yes, this helpline is still a thing AND a useful tool when you need help directly in the moment! A professional staff can guide you through all of your questions, day or night!

Trial Match - Are you interested in being a part of a clinical research study? See if you qualify and what studies are happening now!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Elizabeth Edgerly

25:03 The Comfort of Nostalgia: Peanut M&Ms and Family Bonds

27:27 Preserving Dignity

30:36 Early, Middle and Late Stages of Alzheimer's

35:12 The Importance of Early Diagnosis

38:59 Emerging Treatments and Blood Tests for Alzheimer's

45:54 Understanding Amyloid and Neurofibrillary Tangles

53:47 Hormonal Health and Alzheimer's

01:00:52 Resources for Alzheimer's Caregivers

01:04:02 Real Talk

Downsizing and moving your aging parents is one of the hardest tasks of all time. Or maybe your loved one has already passed and you are tasked with selling a home and going through a lifetime of belongings. It’s. Brutal. Seriously, it’s the definition of overwhelm. Where do you begin? In this episode, we welcome guest Alli Rubin who is a professional moving manager and a true ‘easy button’ when it comes to tackling this enormous task. Alli shares actionable tips on how to approach going through all of the stuff along with a thoughtful conversation about how our objects do hold meaning and the way we can honor the past while finding closure and moving on. It’s a good one, welcome to The Sandwich Generation Pod!

Takeaways

• The difference between a Hoarder and a Saver - we all think our parents are hoarders, but are they really?
• It’s a gift to move your parents while they are still alive - start the conversations and process early!
• Our objects, our things and our stuff hold meaning. They tell stories. Let's honor that while also downsizing and guest Alli Rubin provides actionable tips to dealing with all of the ‘stuff’.
• How to make the new place feel like home.
• How to keep objects for future generations and remember our loved ones.
• The difference between hiring a professional mover vs junk removal - and the realistic costs.
• How our objects can live on and give meaning to others!
• Working with Siblings and creating boundaries and deadlines around the moving process!

Links and Resources

Get in touch with Alli Rubin: allirubin@hotmail.com

**The Following resources are based in Minnesota**

Estate Sales Minnesota

PRISM MPLS - Donate to the Shop for Change Thrift Shop and Marketplace Food Shelf.

SAVERS - Declutter Responsibly.

STEP - Accepts donations for food and clothing.

Bridging - Accepts Furniture, housewares, linens, small appliances, electronics, mirrors, artwork and pictures.

JFCS Hag Sameach Program - provides personalized holiday gifts, ritual items, and household necessities to families and individuals who are in need.

Astound Video - Converting VHS, Photographs, CD's, and Video Tape transfers to digital format.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests
01:12 Meet Alli Rubin
04:39 When is the right time to call a mover?
14:19 Hoarder vs Saver
19:06 Helping families downsize
30:52 Our objects hold meaning
34:42 The energy our objects hold and passing that along
38:30 The difference between hiring a mover and junk removal
43:15 Estate Sales and Resellers
46:45 Setting Boundaries and Timelines
51:55 Start the moving conversation early, make the calls and plan
56:12 Outro
56:53 Real Talk