By Jennifer Fink
Following the death of my father, I discovered that my mom was much further along with her Alzheimer’s than I was initially aware. Suddenly being called to provide care with no training, understanding, or planning was a hurdle I would have to figure out how to overcome. Like most people, I didn’t feel prepared.
This kind of caregiving emergency is one of the most common ways family members become care partners. As most people do, I went online looking for answers, help, and knowledge. What I discovered was how difficult it was to find solutions that worked. I found the time it took to research wasn’t sustainable for a typical family caregiver, and the process was frustrating.
As an avid podcast consumer, I had the bright idea to look for an Alzheimer’s caregiver support podcast. If there are podcasts about cheese making, certainly there would be podcasts for caregivers. I discovered that even in late 2017, there was only one. That podcast didn’t “speak” to me, and, for better or worse, I decided to create my own.
Initially, I intended to share the knowledge I had obtained throughout my Mom’s disease. At that moment, Mom had been struggling with memory issues for about 15 years. I wanted to help families avoid some of the stress our extended family had gone through. It quickly became apparent that my knowledge wasn’t vast enough to help my fellow caregivers, and the podcast shifted into what it is today.
Through four seasons of podcasting, I have been introduced to all things Alzheimer’s. Treatments, opinions on prevention, research, advocacy and one of my favorite resources, the Alz Authors. In fact, before starting the podcast, I did intend to write a book. That plan is now a reality. I am working on a book for caregivers like me who have completed the journey. Sharing what I’m learning about caregiving has also evolved into regular blog posts. Sometimes, a specific topic needs more input from me, so I write articles for my blog.
The Fading Memories podcast is a place to get information on caregiving challenges, brain health, aging well, and self-care. By scrolling through the latest episodes or articles I put out, you’ll get a good sense of what is on my mind. That is how a variety of end-of-life episodes came to be published. I find it easier in many cases to talk to an expert and write my ideas than to try and help one caregiver at a time. Something you may be struggling with may be my next inspiration.
There is an episode for almost any person, caregiver or not. We all want to age well and have estate planning questions, and hopefully, we’re interested in learning about a topic that may or may not touch our lives in the future.
When you tune in to Fading Memories or read the articles on my website, you will find a resource that listens, hears, and offers advice, wisdom and hope from caregivers who have lived the experience and thrived!
The goal for creating the podcast was simple: offer caregivers a simple way to access support and information while handling their many tasks. Being able to tune in to a topic when you need help or inspiration is one way to help a caregiver in the thick of a challenge.
One last hope I have is to become unnecessary. Helping find a cure or prevention for Alzheimer’s is one of my most essential goals.
Start listening to Fading Memories now!
About Jennifer Fink
Jennifer spent the first half of her adult life as a portrait photographer. She retired in early 2020. Listening to podcasts became a favorite way to learn new things while walking the dogs or doing household chores. After the death of her father in March 2017, dealing with and caring for her mother became a much bigger part of her life. Looking to her favorite media in search of answers and not finding what she was looking for, Jennifer decided she would create a supportive podcast that caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients need and deserve.
Jennifer is the daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter of women who suffered from Alzheimer’s or other cognitive impairment. Looking for answers on how not to become the fourth generation with this problem, while also seeking ways to connect better with her mom, has led her on this interesting journey with her new passion, podcasting.
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