On Your Own | Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiving

11/16/23 • 29 min

Caregiver Storyteller - About Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiving

Annette Perpinan met Ralph when dinner for two at a nice restaurant in Manhattan cost just $25.00. It was only when Ralph was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s did Annette see the signs retroactively. With no one else to help, and a medical system that didn’t seem to care, Annette took on the challenge of caring for Ralph until the end of his life.

Previous Episode

Red Hot Mama | Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiving

Ellen Ratner inherited a love of music from her mother who loved to sing. Ethel had three loves: her husband, music, and her daughter, Ellen, whom Ethel referred to as “my life.” The pressure of being on the receiving end of Ethel’s adoration would irritate Ellen, especially because her mother had a larger than life persona. But after her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Ellen would come to appreciate the legacy of love and music that Ethel left for her only child.

Next Episode

The New Normal | Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiving

Jordana’s mother began showing signs of dementia relatively early. Luckily, her father was newly retired and was able to pretty quickly shift into the role of primary caregiver. Still, caregiving became an activity shared by both father and daughter. Having a wife and mother with dementia simply became the new normal.