Episode Details

Sheila on Living With Dementia CNY: Caregiver Support, Training, and Upcoming Events Host Noah Chrysler interviews Sheila, president and co-founder of Living With Dementia CNY, which serves caregivers across seven counties by providing dementia training, a virtual support group every Tuesday, caregiver summits with separate programming for caregivers and loved ones with dementia, and help paying for respite care. Sheila describes common caregiver experiences of isolation, depression, unspoken anger, and the need for judgment-free spaces, noting caregivers often neglect their own health. She shares her background: her mother died of vascular dementia, and she later ran a dementia-focused home care company for 15 years before selling it to focus on the nonprofit. They connect families to resources like Offices of the Aging and memory care cafes, and emphasize accurate dementia diagnosis and prevention through healthier living, exercise, and stress reduction. Upcoming items include an Oct. 29 annual conference with Adria Thompson, June 4 Heritage Hill fundraiser, a September golf tournament, and summits May 5 (Onondaga) and May 19 (Madison/Oneida). 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:23 Mission and Services 01:50 Caregiver Emotions 04:24 Summits and Respite 06:30 Sheila’s Personal Journey 09:08 Finding Resources Fast 09:59 Memory Care Cafes 11:51 Dementia Myths and Diagnosis 13:14 Prevention and Self Care 15:59 How Friends Can Help 16:57 Events and Fundraisers 19:17 Closing and Sponsor