By Marianne Sciucco, New York, USA
After a dementia diagnosis and heart surgery, Tony Copeland-Parker and his partner, Catherine, aka “Cat,” traveled for years worldwide to run marathons and half-marathons. Now, due to the progression of Cat’s early onset Alzheimer’s, they’ve recently settled down in an assisted living facility. Tony and his memoir, Running All Over the World: Our Race Against Early Onset Alzheimer’s, first came to AlzAuthors in January, 2022. He has appeared on our podcast and in a virtual panel discussion, Love Stories: Keeping Romance Alive in Dementia Care. Tony is an expert on traveling with a loved one with dementia, and now speaks about the intricacies involved in finding a suitable place to settle down for the duration of Alzheimer’s.
On the podcast, Tony shares how he initially struggled to accept Cat’s diagnosis and find a way forward. He eventually realized that focusing on making the most of their time together was a more constructive approach than searching for a cure. By dedicating their energy to activities they love, Tony and Cat have been able to maintain their connection and find solace amidst the challenges posed by Alzheimer’s.
In this episode, you will:
- Delve into Tony’s enlightening journey as an Alzheimer’s caregiver and the lessons he’s learned
- Discover how to develop a balanced approach to caregiving that preserves your self-identity and allows you to follow your passions
- Uncover essential strategies for hassle-free traveling with a cognitively impaired loved one
- Learn the art of maintaining your own identity while caregiving without sacrificing your passions
- Discover the crucial aspects of selecting the perfect care facility for Alzheimer’s care and why it matters
About Tony Copeland-Parker
Tony Copeland-Parker, a former pilot with 37 years of aviation experience, has transitioned into an inspiring and empathetic caregiver for his life partner Catherine, aka Cat, who has Alzheimer’s. With a strong focus on maintaining self-identity and pursuing passions, Tony has made thoughtful decisions to ensure Cat’s well-being while still taking care of himself. His dedication to staying active and involved in their lives has led to a unique journey that involved worldwide travel that evolved into a new living situation that allows both of them to thrive. He is the author of Running All Over the World: Our Race Against Early Onset Alzheimer’s.
After the Podcast
Purchase Running All Over the World: Our Race Against Early Onset Alzheimer’s
Note: We are an Amazon Associate and may receive a small commission from book sales.
Read Tony’s AlzAuthors post Anthony Copeland-Parker and Partner Catherine Become Marathon Nomads
Listen to Tony’s first podcast Anthony Copeland-Parker Untangles Life as a Nomad and Early Onset Alzheimer’s
Listen to our panel discussion Love Stories: Keeping Romance Alive in Dementia Care
Watch our panel discussion Love Stories: Keeping Romance Alive in Dementia Care
Connect with Tony
About the Podcast
AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.
We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please visit https://alzauthors.com/donate/ .
Thank you for listening.
We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast.
Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network.
Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know.
