Port of Call Podcast, Episode Two: What Does a Dementia Diagnosis Mean? is NOW LIVE! In this clip from our latest episode, Jocelyn and Laura talk about something that confuses so many families. When someone has dementia symptoms, the brain can no longer store new information the way it once did. But memories from long ago were stored when the brain was still healthy, and those often remain. That’s also why you may hear, “I want to go home.” It’s usually not about a place. It’s about a feeling. Love. Safety. Security. The feelings attached to those long-term memories are still there, even when logic and time are not. When we understand that, everything changes. We stop arguing with facts and start responding to feelings. If this is something you’re navigating right now, you are not alone. Come listen to the full conversation, and let’s make sense of it together. ⭐Spotify ⛵Apple 🏝️YouTube

You can choose to focus on the people you don't like or you can choose to focus on the people you love. The money you have or the money you don't. What has worked out or what hasn't. How far you have come or how far you have left to go. It's a simple thing to understand, but not so easy to remember. You are in charge of the direction your brains goes. You are the one with the compass. If you choose to focus on the negative, then that is how you will feel. If you focus on the abundance, the wonder, and the success you have, then you will feel amazing. You have running water. And lights. And a phone. And eyes that see. And curiosity. And love. There I got you started. Your turn. Spend some time wanting what you already have. You won't believe how fun it is.... Have a beautiful week! Thank you, @Jocelyn Ives

60% of people with dementia never get diagnosed. I just diagnosed one of them. Patricia, 71. Came for "stress." Daughter brought her. First red flag: Patient thinks one thing. Family thinks another. Her story: "I'm fine. Just forgetful." Daughter (privately): "Missed 3 appointments. Repeats questions. Got lost driving to my house. She's lived here 40 years." This is the diagnostic gap. My questions: To Patricia: "How's memory?" Patricia: "Fine." To daughter: "Compared to 5 years ago?" Daughter: "Completely different person." Testing: Computerized cognitive assessment. Deficits: Executive function, visuospatial, delayed recall Preserved: Language, social skills The mask: Seemed fine in conversation. Normal chitchat. Why she wasn't diagnosed: PCP never screened (no time, no reimbursement, "seems fine") Family normalized it ("just getting older") She denied problems (no insight, blamed others) Classic pattern. Millions of times. The diagnosis conversation: Me: "Testing shows memory problems." Patricia: "Ridiculous. I'm fine." Me: "Let me show you the results" Patricia: "You never told me words." Daughter crying. Patricia frustrated. This is why doctors avoid it. What happened: Brain MRI: Moderate atrophy in patterns consistent with Alzheimer's Diagnosis: Probable Alzheimer's, mild-moderate Treatment: Full Cognitive Care Plan including ↳ Donepezil ↳ Memantine ↳ Vascular risk addressed ↳ Support groups Family education: What to expect, safety planning, legal prep, resources. Three years undiagnosed. Three years without treatment. All preventable. Why 60% undiagnosed: Patient barriers: Lack insight, fear stigma, don't want bad news System barriers: No routine screening, time constraints, specialists backlogged Knowledge barriers: Families normalize, PCPs lack training The cost: Patricia missed 3 years of medications that slow progression, safety planning (she was driving!), legal preparation, clinical trials, family adjustment. Harder for everyone now.

Over-the-counter (OTC) does not mean safe. 54% higher dementia risk after 3+ years. Common culprits: Benadryl, Unisom, Tylenol PM, tricyclic antidepressants, bladder medications. All anticholinergic. All linked to dementia. What are anticholinergics? Block acetylcholine (memory neurotransmitter). But often the side effects outweigh the benefits, especially with age. Short-term: Confusion Long-term: Dementia The evidence: UK study: 58,769 dementia patients Antidepressants: 29% increased risk Bladder drugs: 65% increased risk Parkinson's drugs: 52% increased risk 3+ years = 54% higher risk. Cumulative. Every dose adds up. Patient case: 68-year-old. Memory complaints. Medications: ↳ Amitriptyline 8 years ↳ Oxybutynin 5 years ↳ Benadryl nightly Testing: Cognitive impairment Switched to alternatives. 3 months: Scores improved. Damage partially reversible. Common high-risk medications: Sleep: Benadryl, Unisom, Tylenol PM Antidepressants: Amitriptyline, paroxetine Bladder: Oxybutynin, tolterodine Multiple medications: Risk multiplies. Why doctors prescribe: They work. Cheap. Familiar. Nobody mentions dementia risk. What to do: Ask doctor: "Is this anticholinergic?" Better alternatives: Allergies: Loratadine, cetirizine Sleep: CBTi, trazodone Depression: SSRIs Bladder: Mirabegron The OTC trap: OTC doesn't mean safe. Benadryl: Most harmful anticholinergic for brain. People take nightly for years. Nobody warned. Numerous studies: Strong anticholinergics: Dementia risk Weak anticholinergics: No risk Drug-specific. If I stop, does risk go away? Mostly yes, for reversible effects. Years of exposure may cause permanent changes. What I tell patients: "Benadryl nightly for 5 years? Risk 50% higher. Stop today. Try CBTi (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia). Some damage reverses." "Nobody told me." Bottom line: Check medicine cabinet tonight. Benadryl, Tylenol PM, Unisom? Throw out. See doctor about: ↳ Tricyclic antidepressants

Have you listened to our new podcast yet? If you are just beginning your dementia caregiving journey, Port of Call is a great place to start. Laura and Jocelyn take time to talk through the changes you face with honesty, care, and a practical perspective. We invite you to listen, reflect, and share your thoughts with us. Your voice is part of this conversation. New episode dropping this week! ⭐ Listen to the Port of Call podcast wherever you listen: APPLE PODCAST SPOTIFY YOUTUBE