Painting Through Alzheimer’s: The Art That Held a Mother–Daughter Bond Together

Episode Title: Painting Through Alzheimer’s: The Art That Held a Mother–Daughter Bond Together   When we get Alzheimer’s, walk away.” Those were the words Marilyn Raichle’s mother once shared with her, long before both of Marilyn’s parents were diagnosed.   In this moving episode, Marilyn shares how introducing her mother to painting transformed their Alzheimer’s journey from fear and resistance to creativity, connection, and joy. What began as a simple art class led to international recognition, an Emmy Award–winning documentary, and the founding of The Art of Alzheimer’s.   We explore the power of language—“living with” vs “suffering from” dementia—care partner vs caregiver, the ethics of sharing a loved one’s story, and how creativity can preserve dignity and identity   3 clear main takeaways from this episode:   Creativity Can Unlock Connection Even after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Marilyn’s mother discovered a new voice through painting. Art became a bridge, restoring confidence, preserving identity, and deepening their mother–daughter bond. Language Shapes Dignity The difference between “living with” vs “suffering from” dementia and “care partner” vs “caregiver” matters. Words influence how we see people with dementia and how they see themselves. Sharing Stories Is Advocacy, Not Exploitation By sharing her mother’s artwork with the world, Marilyn helped shift perceptions of dementia from decline alone to creativity and possibility. Her work reminds us that raising awareness can honour, not diminish, a loved one’s legacy.   Resources Mentioned Marilyn Raichle’s book, Don’t Walk Away: A Care Partner’s Journey, is available on Amazon. https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/can-love-and-loss-be-captured-on-film-kimberley/id1710778347?i=1000734014141   Thank you so much, dear listeners, for tuning in to this episode. If you enjoyed our conversation with Marilyn, or if you’re passionate about dementia care, please consider leaving a review and sharing this episode with someone who might benefit from it. Your support helps us reach more people and raise awareness about dementia-related issues.