Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Beyond the Face of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 5 million people in the U.S. alone, and may soon become the world’s greatest epidemic. It’s not surprising that many have been touched by it in one way or another. Either a loved one has been diagnosed with the disease, or we know someone who is struggling with it. And with more than seventy-six million boomers, a whole generation is worried that today’s memory lapses will become tomorrow’s Alzheimer’s and all that the diagnosis entails.

Barbara’s dad has Alzheimer’s. It’s been a long journey fraught with heartache. Those who have only known Mike since his diagnosis can’t imagine how he used to be — whip smart, kind, generous, and best advice giver ever — not the shadow of the man he has become. Alzheimer’s is a disease that knows no boundaries and doesn’t discriminate. It impacts all races, religions, genders, socio-economic groups, and with the rise of early onset Alzheimer’s, age.

While much has been documented regarding the impact of Alzheimer’s, we believe there are other important and overlooked perspectives that can provide a more realistic and complete picture. Our vignettes focus on the person afflicted — who they were before they became ill — and the toll this disease has taken on the person left to pick up the pieces and forge ahead. They too are “Beyond the Face of Alzheimer’s.”

While the series highlights the difficulties of dealing with a loved one afflicted with the disease, the story is not complete without exploring the “nuggets of goodness” — the unexpected that happens while navigating this painful road. This eight-part series is an intimate portrait of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Dr. Jason Karlawish, a professor of Medicine, Medical Ethics, and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, and producer of Making Sense of Alzheimer’s, served as medical a consultant and a contributor to the series. His commentary can be heard in the introduction and conclusion of the series.

We begin on the third floor of an Alzheimer’s facility in the Washington DC area. This is the home of Barb’s dad, Mike, who has inspired us in so many ways to share this important story.

Listen to the entire series here.

About The Author

Kathy Bernard and Barbara Kline

Kathy Bernard and Barbara Kline co-host the award winning 2BoomerBabes Radio Hour which broadcasts weekly on NPR affiliates, SiriusXM, and commercial stations nationwide. As young boomers, empty nesters, friends for a lifetime, and poster children for the sandwich generation, Kathy and Barb have created a tongue-in-cheek glimpse at the mega generation of nearly 76 million boomers—who they are, what they like, and what makes them tick.

Their show, a production of AARP Radio, is an innovative, informative, and spirited talk program that sparks lively and down to earth conversations while providing a forum for boomers. 2BoomerBabes captures the essence of living the boomer moment from empty nesting, caring for aging parents, morphing bodies, embracing second acts, dating at mid-life, to grown children living in the basement.

Recently recognized as Website of the Week by USA Today and as a top 5 offering in the national boomer media scene, 2BoomerBabes has been featured in the Huffington Post, USA Today, SecondAct.com, the Washington Post, AARP Magazine, and AARP Bulletin, among others. The show has been awarded the prestigious AP Outstanding Talk Show since its inception by the Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters Association. Kathy and Barb were recently honored as Women of Achievement. Their series, “Beyond the Face of Alzheimer’s,” has been selected to receive a prestigious Gracie Award from the Alliance for Women in the Media.

Kathy is a graduate of the University of Arizona, earned her Masters in Business Administration and is married to her high school sweetheart. Barb is a graduate of the University of Illinois, holds two Masters Degrees, and is married to the man of her dreams. They are proud moms of two (each) twenty-something girls who give “The Babes” much material, often without knowing it.

2BoomerBabes is produced in collaboration with AARP Radio. Angel Livas, Executive Producer/Director of Radio for AARP oversees the production and distribution of six-nationally syndicated radio programs including 2Boomerbabes Radio Hour. Julio Gonzales, Chief Audio Engineer for the 2 Boomer Babes Radio Hour, Julio was integral to the studio and on location recording, editing, mastering of “Behind the Face of Alzheimer’s.” Alyne Ellis hosts and produces AARP’s radio program Prime Time Focus. Alyne served as a contributing writer for the 2BoomerBabes Alzheimer’s Series.

http://2boomerbabes.com/faces-of-alzheimers.html