EP 67 :: Tips and Insights into Dementia Caregiving :: Bobbi and Mike

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For more than seven years our hosts, Bobbi and Mike Carducci, were the caregivers for Rodger, Mike’s ailing father who was stricken with dementia. With more patience and compassion than either thought possible, they cared for Rodger’s every need through to his final days.

Since then they have dedicated their lives to sharing their personal journey with this cruel disease. In today’s episode they share their insights into the challenges facing anyone caring for a loved one with dementia, Lewy Body, or any mental illness.

How do you know if you or a loved one might be in the first stages of dementia?

“When we're talking about devastating brain diseases, your brain controls every part of your body and it controls every function that you have.” Bobbi says, “So it's not just memory, it's hearing, it's sight, it's the sense of touch, it's your appetite, it's your balance, it's everything.”

“It's important that people understand what type of dementia the person has because that will affect the medications, some of their behaviors, and what type of care they need,” Mike explains.

“People with dementia have their appetite affected, so food no longer tastes good. One of the last flavors that people with dementia enjoy is sweet, and we often hear that all they want is junk food, cookies and cakes,” Bobbi adds. “So, you can cut their piece of chicken into small bites and put some maple syrup on. It won't kill them to have sweets and if that gets them to eat, that's what you want.”

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