73: What It Means to Live Well with Dementia with Sam and Susan Simon

Dr. Lakelyn is joined by Sam and Susan Simon for an inspiring conversation about what it means to live well after a dementia diagnosis. Together, they share how purpose, creativity, advocacy, and connection continue to shape their lives and relationship as they navigate dementia as a couple.Years before Sam’s own diagnosis with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, he cared for Susan through Stage 3 breast cancer. Now, their roles are evolving as Susan supports Sam while they proactively plan for the future together.Sam also discusses how he transformed his experience into his one-man play, Dementia Man, An Existential Journey, using storytelling and advocacy to help others better understand life after diagnosis and hold on to a sense of identity and purpose.Episode highlights include:-Experiencing caregiving from both sides-Living well after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis-Finding purpose through advocacy, creativity, and storytelling-Supporting independence while navigating dementia together-Planning proactively for the future with hope and intentionHelpful links from the episode:-Dementia Man: An Existential Journey: Choosing Life and Finding Meaning with Alzheimer’s: dementiaman.com-Washington Post article: “In a one-man play, an 80-year-old chronicles his own dementia”-Facebook: facebook.com/dementiaman-Instagram: @thedementiaman-YouTube: youtube.com/@dementiaman_To learn more about this podcast and to subscribe to our caregiving  newsletters, visit www.homeinstead.com/caregiverchats. Share your thoughts, experiences and ideas by emailing Dr. Lakelyn at [email protected], subscribe, rate and review this podcast on your favorite podcast platform.Follow us on social media:Instagram: @caregiverchatspodcast @homeinsteadincFacebook: @homeinsteadincYouTube: @homeinsteadincTikTok: @homeinstead.inc