Grieving Before Goodbye — Loving Through Alzheimer’s “Pre-Grief”

In this milestone 10th episode of This Is Your Brain on Mom, siblings Wendy and Barry open up about one of the hardest and least-talked-about parts of Alzheimer’s caregiving — pre-grief. They celebrate reaching ten episodes (and surviving it together!) while reflecting on the powerful community that’s grown around their story — from old friends reconnecting to strangers who deeply understand what it’s like to love someone through dementia. This heartfelt conversation dives into what it means to grieve the small losses while still finding gratitude for what remains. Wendy shares how her mom’s recent medication change brought back glimpses of her “old self,” and the siblings unpack the emotional rollercoaster that comes with that — hope, guilt, fear, laughter, and everything in between. With their trademark humor and honesty, Wendy and Barry explore how each of them copes — from late-night worry to true-crime podcasts, over-scheduling, and using laughter as a lifeline. They remind listeners that grief in caregiving doesn’t wait for the end — it arrives quietly, again and again. 🎧 Tune in to hear: What “pre-grief” really feels like for dementia caregivers How humor becomes survival when love and loss coexist The small miracles that happen when the “old” mom shines through Why community matters more than ever If you’ve ever felt the heartbreak of losing pieces of someone you love — while they’re still right in front of you — this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices