This Is Your Brain on Mom, sibling co-hosts open up about the unexpected beginning of their mother’s dementia journey — a journey that didn’t start with obvious memory loss, but with a broken ankle. What followed were strange behaviors, unexplained shifts, and subtle cognitive changes that signaled something deeper was happening.
As a brother-and-sister caregiver team, we share the real-life dementia storyof how we first encountered our mom’s cognitive decline. From unusual reactions in the hospital to confusing days at home, we walk through the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease and how they can appear differently than you might expect. We also discuss the differences between dementia vs. Alzheimer’s and how confusing it is to understand the distinction.
This podcast highlights the emotional side of becoming sibling caregivers — the frustration, the gut instinct, and the bond that forms when adult children team up to care for a parent. We also share how we use humor as a survival tool, because sometimes the only way through the fear and confusion of the progression of Alzheimer’s disease is to laugh together.
By telling our caregiving story, we hope to normalize the chaos, confusion, and unexpected moments that caregivers face, and to create a space where others feel seen. We explain why we decided to start this podcast — to document the earliest moments of our journey and to give a voice to other sibling caregiversnavigating similar paths.
Whether you’re researching dementia vs. Alzheimer’s, searching for early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, curious about sibling caregivers, or looking for real-life dementia stories to relate to, this podcast offers a candid, relatable, and hopeful look at the very beginning of the caregiving journey.
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This Is Your Brain on Mom, sibling co-hosts open up about the unexpected beginning of their mother’s dementia journey — a journey that didn’t start with obvious memory loss, but with a broken ankle. What followed were strange behaviors, unexplained shifts, and subtle cognitive changes that signaled something deeper was happening.
As a brother-and-sister caregiver team, we share the real-life dementia storyof how we first encountered our mom’s cognitive decline. From unusual reactions in the hospital to confusing days at home, we walk through the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease and how they can appear differently than you might expect. We also discuss the differences between dementia vs. Alzheimer’s and how confusing it is to understand the distinction.
This podcast highlights the emotional side of becoming sibling caregivers — the frustration, the gut instinct, and the bond that forms when adult children team up to care for a parent. We also share how we use humor as a survival tool, because sometimes the only way through the fear and confusion of the progression of Alzheimer’s disease is to laugh together.
By telling our caregiving story, we hope to normalize the chaos, confusion, and unexpected moments that caregivers face, and to create a space where others feel seen. We explain why we decided to start this podcast — to document the earliest moments of our journey and to give a voice to other sibling caregiversnavigating similar paths.
Whether you’re researching dementia vs. Alzheimer’s, searching for early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, curious about sibling caregivers, or looking for real-life dementia stories to relate to, this podcast offers a candid, relatable, and hopeful look at the very beginning of the caregiving journey.
In this episode of This Is Your Brain on Mom, we dive into the top gift ideas for people living with dementia — curated from real-life experience, caregiver recommendations, and the things we’ve actually bought for our mom. And listen… if anyone wants to send us a giant basket of these products, we will gratefully accept. Caregiving is expensive, okay?
We walk through practical, comforting, and dignity-giving gifts that truly make daily life easier. Starting with the dementia-friendly reminder clock — which Barry thought was just a “really nice clock,” but no, it’s literally designed for dementia care. With 20 customizable reminders and an anti-glare screen, it helps with medications, meals, appointments, orientation, and reducing confusion.
Next up: digital photo frames. We highlight the Aura frame, a caregiver favorite that allows unlimited photo uploads and can be managed remotely. These frames support memory connection, reduce anxiety, spark conversation, and keep loved ones surrounded by familiar faces and moments.
We also share one of our favorite discoveries: Socky Talkies from Beetlebug — adapted socks with easy-pull loops for people with limited dexterity. Independence, dignity, and a bit of hope printed right on the toes. Perfect stocking stuffer territory.
Then we get into the Senior Joy Box, a subscription box created specifically for seniors. Cozy items, puzzles, sensory-friendly goodies — each box is meant to send love, connection, and comfort, especially when distance or life gets in the way. They currently only ship in the U.S., but for our American listeners: this one’s gold.
And finally: weighted blankets. The caregiver community swears by them for reducing anxiety, calming restlessness, improving sleep, and offering comfort during transitions like hospital visits or moving into long-term care. Many describe it as the feeling of a hug — something every caregiver and every loved one deserves.
In this episode we cover:
Best dementia-friendly gifts backed by real caregiver experience
Why reminder clocks can be life-changing
How digital frames support memory and emotional connection
Adapted socks that build dignity and independence
The Senior Joy Box subscription
Why weighted blankets are a top comfort item
Caregiver humor, chaos, and our unfiltered sibling commentary
If you're shopping for a loved one with dementia — or looking for caregiver-approved tools that truly help — this episode is your go-to guide.
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This is Your Brain on Mom
This Is Your Brain on Mom, sibling co-hosts open up about the unexpected beginning of their mother’s dementia journey — a journey that didn’t start with obvious memory loss, but with a broken ankle. What followed were strange behaviors, unexplained shifts, and subtle cognitive changes that signaled something deeper was happening.
As a brother-and-sister caregiver team, we share the real-life dementia storyof how we first encountered our mom’s cognitive decline. From unusual reactions in the hospital to confusing days at home, we walk through the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease and how they can appear differently than you might expect. We also discuss the differences between dementia vs. Alzheimer’s and how confusing it is to understand the distinction.
This podcast highlights the emotional side of becoming sibling caregivers — the frustration, the gut instinct, and the bond that forms when adult children team up to care for a parent. We also share how we use humor as a survival tool, because sometimes the only way through the fear and confusion of the progression of Alzheimer’s disease is to laugh together.
By telling our caregiving story, we hope to normalize the chaos, confusion, and unexpected moments that caregivers face, and to create a space where others feel seen. We explain why we decided to start this podcast — to document the earliest moments of our journey and to give a voice to other sibling caregiversnavigating similar paths.
Whether you’re researching dementia vs. Alzheimer’s, searching for early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, curious about sibling caregivers, or looking for real-life dementia stories to relate to, this podcast offers a candid, relatable, and hopeful look at the very beginning of the caregiving journey.
