Lori La Bey host of Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio is thrilled to interview Trevor Mumby from the U.K.. The two have tried for several years to get their schedules to mesh and Tuesday, April 24th at 1pm it finally worked out! Tune in for a fun and uplifting conversation between two passionate advocates changing perceptions of dementia and learn brilliant tips Trevor has to offer to bring joy to those living with dementia, their families as well as professionals.
“Feedback from the conference planning committee and our leadership team was extremely positive. Many attendees commented that she was one of the best speakers they had heard.”
Pat Sylvia, Director of Education & Member Development LeadingAge Washington
Here is another poem from one of our members, Joanne Souvercaze.
The Long Goodbye
By: Joanne Souvercaze
Aging is honorable, a distinguished experience that we are blessed to experience
Age brings wisdom, age creates a lifetime of experiences surrounded by love, faith, family and friends
Creating memories that are beautiful, significant, extraordinary yet some are sad and difficult
Life is not perfection, it is living and embracing each moment we are given
Sadly for some, time becomes less memorable, less distinguished, more debilitating, for those whom are diagnosed with dementia (in our father case…Lewy Body dementia)
An experience so debilitating, disabling and difficult for all loved ones involved
Dementia for many, can be difficult to accept
As time goes on, so goes the mind
So says the one who has been diagnosed….
I don’t believe I have this condition called dementia, for I feel fine
They say I do, but I won’t accept it, not for sometime
Eventually I will have no choice, for I will have no knowledge of this thing called dementia and will be forced to accept what I do not know
They begin to take away my privileges, for why, I don’t understand
Is it because I now see images
I cannot drive is what they say, but I believe I can, I don’t understand
As said the father whom was diagnosed
As time goes on, so goes the mind
I knew you and loved you in days past, I know you and love you today, but tomorrow for I may not know your name or remember how much I loved thee
I cannot comprehend my thoughts
confused and scared each day
I want to fix this thing they say
that makes me so confused each day
I did not sign up for this I vow
just take me to the doctor now
My pride is gone and all my rights
I feel alone, misunderstood and oh so frightened
As said the father whom was diagnosed
As time goes on, so goes the mind
I need to go to where I know, for I feel this is not my home
Why do they keep me locked up here, for when my home is oh so near
I try to walk, they bring me back, they don’t understand…. I am a man
They say I must, this is my home, I do not care too, I have no say
I reached an age where I was free, free to choose my own way, but now….no more
I’m oh so tired watching these people, so many exhaust me, for I just need rest
All I ask is peace and quiet, and please remove these unwanted guest
Take me back to the home I remember, so I can stay forever, until my dying day
As said the father whom was diagnosed
As time goes on, so goes the mind
As time passes so do my precious memories, of my loved ones near and far,
for soon I won’t know who you are
I knew and loved you yesterday, somewhat today, for tomorrow I may not know your name
I yearn to have my family near, yet when they are…I oh so fear, and push them far away, for the confusion is overwhelming
These strangers once I knew and loved, but now I know no more
Although this disease may have defeated, my love for you is ever eternal
Please know how much you meant to me, for when I forgot you, you were kind to me. And at those times I fought with thee, you never ever gave up on me
Deep in my heart my love for you, will always be, will always stay, until my dying day, until that last heartfelt beat
As time goes on, so goes the mind
Near the end I ask of you, are you my son are you my daughter, yes you answer, then that is why you so kind to me, please forever remember I loved all of thee
The end is near, although I may fear, I will be eternally with my dear wife once more, for that is where I want to go
And when I pass I pray you know, how deeply I loved you all, then, now and through eternal life my darling children
As time goes on, so goes the mind
Looking for a Speaker?
See what LeadingAge has to say
about Lori La Bey
“Feedback from the conference planning committee and our leadership team was extremely positive. Many attendees commented that she was one of the best speakers they had heard.”
Pat Sylvia, Director of Education & Member Development LeadingAge Washington
“Feedback from the conference planning committee and our leadership team was extremely positive. Many attendees commented that she was one of the best speakers they had heard.”
Pat Sylvia, Director of Education & Member Development LeadingAge Washington
Lori La Bey, Founder and Host of Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio will talk with Sara Scholtens about meal planning when caring for another. She knows she has been a care partner for her father and what got her interested in meal planning for her own family and others. Learn how it can save you time, money and improve your health. Get some paper and a pen to take notes!
“Feedback from the conference planning committee and our leadership team was extremely positive. Many attendees commented that she was one of the best speakers they had heard.”
Pat Sylvia, Director of Education & Member Development LeadingAge Washington
Learning a Language Can Be Good for Your Mental Health
By Christina Comben
Learning a language can have many positive effects on our health and happiness. It’s like taking our brains to the gym! We learn new words and meanings, and the old gray matter benefits from our efforts.
Yep, conjugating verbs and perfecting pronunciation helps to improve our cognitive abilities, stimulate creativity and keep us younger!
When we speak two, three, or more languages, our brains stay active for longer, among other benefits.
Here’s what science has to say:
Scientific Study: Bilingualism Helps You Slow down Dementia
Bilingualism helps slow down dementia, according to one of the biggest studies on the effects of language learning by Edinburgh University and Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad, India.
The study confirms the theory that language learning is a form of mental training. In fact, the most efficient form of training, by now. When you learn a language, you teach your brain to recognize new meanings, sounds and symbols. Your mind learns to think using two different set of rules – defined by grammar and syntax.
You manage to go from one language to another and to think in two different ways. This exercise keeps your brain in good shape and can slow down degenerative processes. This means that bilinguals develop dementia and Alzheimer’s later in life (about 4.5 years later).
The discovery puts learning a language on top of the most effective therapies for preventing brain degeneration – better than medicine, according to Dr. Thomas Bak, of the Center of Cognitive Aging and Cognitive Epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh.
This news certainly gives new perspectives to linguists and language specialists. Carina Cesano, Managing Director of Clear Words Translations, is fluent in three languages and learning a fourth. She says, “I have always been fascinated by languages, but I didn’t know until recently that they also had surprising benefits for your mental health.”
Language Learning Improves Memory
Another study by the Swedish Armed Forces Interpreter Academy revealed that learning a language can make brains grow! Students who went through an intense language learning program were tested before and after the course. Their brains developed during the 13-month period – the hippocampus and three areas in the cerebral cortex were larger than at the beginning of the study.
The hippocampus is responsible, among other things, for converting short-term memories into long-term memories. And, the cerebral cortex plays an essential role in perception, language, consciousness, attention and memory.
So, by learning a new language, you can improve your long-term memory and work with information better (the so-called working memory). That’s to say, you become more productive, as you analyze situations faster and come up with creative solutions to daily problems.
Learning and memory are linked at deep levels. When learning a language, your brain gets stronger. Its connections become more flexible and the gray matter denser. In the long run, your brain will work more efficiently. Which means you not only improve your memory, but you actually become more intelligent!
This is good news for language lovers! “I can’t look into the future, but what I have already noticed is that my memory has improved since I have been learning other languages,” Cesano enthuses. “I will keep on with my learning as long as possible!”
Learning a Language Helps You to Stay Concentrated on Your Tasks
As you learn to switch from one language to another, you become better at switching between daily tasks, as well. This ability allows you to work on several projects at a time and pass from one activity to another with less effort.
In time, you learn to differentiate the relevant information from fluff and prioritize. This way, you manage to maintain your concentration on things that matter and to ignore distractions. You develop patience, as well, meaning you’ll be able to follow long-term goals without letting yourself get influenced by possible immediate results.
You also learn to listen to people around you. You get better at accepting different points of view. You can also look at challenges from different angles, determining better decisions – in financial, professional, and personal matters.
You Can Start Learning a Language at Any Age
Bilinguals develop a wide series of abilities, no matter when they start learning a second language. A few decades ago, scientist believed that language learning could change brain development only on children.
More recent studies have shown that age is less relevant. People who started studying languages after their 18th birthday registered improved results in intelligence tests, as well. According to Dr. Thomas Bak, bilingualism can help aging brains, even when acquired in adulthood.
In simple words, it’s never too late to learn a new language. It makes you stronger, happier and can even increase self-esteem and self-confidence. You have fun and improve your mental health while discovering new people and new cultures at the same time.
Christina Comben is a freelance copywriter and columnist, who is also a language lover and world traveler. Fluent in Spanish and French, Christina works with companies in the language services industry, as well as other small businesses, to improve their digital presence.
Looking for a Speaker?
See what LeadingAge has to say
about Lori La Bey
“Feedback from the conference planning committee and our leadership team was extremely positive. Many attendees commented that she was one of the best speakers they had heard.”
Pat Sylvia, Director of Education & Member Development LeadingAge Washington
Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio Host, Lori La Bey is thrilled to have Dr. Paul Nussbaum back on the show again! She knows Dr. Nussbaum always delivers great information using everyday language to help our listeners live a better life. Today they will talk about what is exactly is Brain Health, why it’s important with steps to apply.
Dr. Nussbaum is an international leader in Brain Health and Brain Health Lifestyle ®. He has 30 years experience in the care of adults and older persons suffering dementia, head injury, and many neuropsychiatric disorders. He is Founder of the Brain Health Center, which provides independent medical examinations, neuropsychological assessments, and case management for those suffering neurological and neurobehavioral disorders. The Center also serves as the epicenter for Dr. Nussbaum’s Brain Health Lifestyle ®.
Join the conversation by calling in. (323) 870-4602
“Feedback from the conference planning committee and our leadership team was extremely positive. Many attendees commented that she was one of the best speakers they had heard.”
Pat Sylvia, Director of Education & Member Development LeadingAge Washington
Lori La Bey host of Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio is excited to have Julie Bigham join her Tuesday April 10th, 2018, to discuss how to help families engage those they love with dementia. Join the conversation by calling in or using the chat box to talk with us.
“Feedback from the conference planning committee and our leadership team was extremely positive. Many attendees commented that she was one of the best speakers they had heard.”
Pat Sylvia, Director of Education & Member Development LeadingAge Washington
Alzheimer's Speaks believes working together and sharing knowledge is the best way to win the battle against this disease. Please explore the site and share your thoughts.
