Living With Alzheimer’s-Interview with Samuel Simon

I would love to hear from you. Send me questions or comments.Alzheimer’s doesn’t just change memory. It can change time, language, confidence, and the simple feeling of being anchored in the world. We talk with Sam Simon, author of *Dementia Man: An Existential Journey*, and his wife Susan about what it really means to keep choosing life after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and how to push back on the damaging belief that a life with cognitive disease isn’t worth living.Sam shares the moments that scared him most, including what he calls the “nothingness place,” when he feels like he drops out of the world while searching for a word or thought. We also unpack why getting an accurate dementia diagnosis can take years, how symptoms get brushed off as “normal aging,” and the small practical systems that reduce daily chaos at home. Susan adds the caregiver perspective, including what it takes to support independence while keeping life steady and safe.From there we widen the lens to advocacy and accessibility. If ramps and braille are standard ADA accommodations, why do airports, grocery stores, and other public spaces offer so little support for cognitive disability? We dig into dementia-friendly design, the sunflower lanyard used for hidden disabilities, and the idea of a “cognitive navigator” who can help without taking away dignity. We also share communication tools like improv-style “Yes, And,” plus the hard truth of anticipatory grief when someone is still here, yet changing.If you find this helpful, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who needs it, and leave us a review so more caregivers and families can find Patty’s Place.Support the show