New Pacemaker, New Dementia Uncertainties

By Brian LeBlanc Life is complicated enough. Of course, my Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia adds to the chaos and uncertainty. And as much as I openly discuss living with dementia for the sake of helping others, the opportunity to talk other health issues doesn’t come up as much. So here it is: I’m having a […]
Pioneer Network: #WeAreDementiaStrong Ramps Up Educational Mission

(Editor’s Note: The following article was earlier published in the Pioneer Network monthly e-newsletter on March 1, 2022. By Brian LeBlanc and Maureen Rulison #WeAreDementiaStrong. Yes, we are. And we’ve never been stronger than we are today. That’s because we’re building our educational mission with new free content across a variety of platforms to reach […]
Common Alzheimer’s and Dementia Behaviors: Communication Difficulties

You’re chatting with your husband and sister on the back patio on a beautiful summer evening. The wine tastes divine — even better with some stimulating conversation. Except, for some reason that escapes you right now, your husband is repeating himself and having difficulty finding the right words. That’s new, you think to yourself as […]
It Takes a Village: Community Care for Dementia Patients

You’re trying so hard. We know. Being a great care partner for a loved one living with dementia is most certainly a labor of love. You may feel very alone. You likely feel as if you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, keeping up with the steady march of dementia and its […]
Coming to Life: Art and Music for Dementia Care

Studies have shown that art and music can lead to cognitive and behavioral improvements for persons living with dementia, even to those in the later stages. While the cure for Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia seems to remain perpetually out of reach, music and art can enrich dementia care with restorative sensory therapy. It […]
Dementia is More Than Memory Loss

A few weeks back, Brian wrote here about his recent bout with aphasia. It was a living nightmare. And even though it lasted only a day, his ability to speak, to communicate, a part of his very being, was trapped indefinitely in a box. Could you imagine? You see, many people equate diseases like Brian’s Alzheimer’s […]
What are the Types of Dementia?

Dementia is a thief. Just ask my life partner/care partner, Brian, who has Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. It’s an armed robber that steals memories, mostly in reverse chronological order, so what happened weeks, days, hours or even seconds ago can be a complete mystery. Some folks regress to the point they’re “mentally present” in […]
Aphasia: ‘I Couldn’t Speak and I was Terrified’

I woke up Saturday morning just like any other day. Maureen, my life partner/care partner, was up before me, of course, as she moves like a lightning bolt and I take my sweet time. The gentle waves of Tampa Bay just outside our bedroom window glistened in the morning sunlight. So relaxing and peaceful, a […]