Your True North l Anne Kenny, #67

One of the most challenging diagnoses to receive is "dementia." When we hear that word, it brings up uncertainty, fear, anger, and so many other emotions. My guest today is going to speak about those emotions and what to do if you, or someone you love, is experiencing cognitive loss. Anne Kenny, MD, is a geriatric and palliative care physician as well as the bestselling author of True North: A Guided Journal for Those Living with Cognitive Loss or Dementia about Legacy, Love and Wishes for the End of a Life Well-lived. Not only has Anne worked with this population in her profession, but she also became the caregiver to her mother who lived well with, and died peacefully from, dementia. She co-wrote the book with Teresa Webb, RN, a woman living with Frontotemporal Dementia and advocate and spokesperson  for individuals living with dementia, combine their voices to offer a guide for persons experiencing cognitive loss to begin to explore their thoughts and wishes about their life and to prepare for the changes that dementia will bring. The book guides the reader, using the voices of others who live or have lived with dementia and stories of many others who have faced dementia, to see and plan for the deeper and more valued connections and discussions. It is full of advice, key learning and action plans to assist in providing tangible steps that can be taken to value life and plan for the life changes.   I know you will enjoy this conversation, so sit back and listen in as Dr. Anne Kenny shares her story. -------------------------------    Anne Kenny, MD is a geriatric and palliative care physician, author of Making Tough Decisions about End-of-Life Care in Dementia, and Founder of Together in Dementia, a blog and educational and coaching/consulting resource to support individuals living with dementia and their families to modify their approach to dementia care so that they can find joy, connection and calm in this difficult, but often beautiful, journey.  Her 35 years of experience as a physician and added experience as a daughter caregiver to her mother who lived well with and died peacefully from dementia provide a unique approach to care in dementia.