Butterflies and Breast Cancer Amid Dementia Caregiving with Allene Symons

AlzAuthors: Untangling Alzheimer's & Dementia

Marianne and Christy engage in a heartfelt conversation with Allene Symons, devoted caregiver to her late husband Allen, who battled Lewy Body dementia. She’s the author of Love in a Time of Caterpillars: A Memoir of Monarchs and Caregiving. Her unique perspective on utilizing butterfly gardening as a source of therapy and joy, along with her insights on managing personal health crises during caregiving, make her a compelling and relatable guest. Allene shares how their hobby of tending to a butterfly garden became a source of therapy and hope, offering moments of respite and joy amidst the challenges of dementia. The simple act of observing caterpillars transforming into butterflies not only brought light to her husband's eyes but also became a cherished activity that bonded their caregivers with the natural world, providing a sense of purpose and connection. Allene's story beautifully illustrates the profound impact of outdoor activities and nature therapy in dementia care, showcasing the power of finding beauty and comfort in the midst of adversity. Her experiences highlight the importance of nature therapy, and the challenges faced by caregivers, especially amidst the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. She also shares the difficulties she endured when she was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer during the pandemic.

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"The extreme flexibility we need when we're caregivers who are a loved one with dementia is core to the journey."

In this episode you will:

• Discover the unexpected connection between butterfly gardening and dementia care.
• Find out how one caregiver found joy and solace in nature therapy.
• Learn effective strategies for managing technology with dementia patients.
• Understand the unique impact of COVID-19 on dementia care and how to navigate it.
• Explore the compassionate use of loving lies in dementia caregiving.
• Embrace the importance of outdoor activities in improving the emotional well-being of dementia patients.

After the podcast

Read Allene’s AlzAuthors post: we'll get this once it's published.Connect with Allene

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