In This Episode
The summer I was 11, I was all about my roller skates. Other than my parents forcing me to eat and sleep, I was skating. I couldn’t imagine life without skating.
Fast forward 40 years, and I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve skated. How could something I was so passionate about be so meaningless now?
We aspire for that to be broadly true throughout our lives: as we grow, learn, and evolve, we leave behind that which no longer serves and make room for that which does.
But what about something far more serious than a childhood hobby? What if you’re crystal clear on what you want the end of your life to look like, but then are diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder? Should your wishes still be honored?
Or should those wishes be disregarded, because now you’ve got a neurodegenerative disorder and aren’t able to affirmatively state, again, what you want?
Do you even have the right to have wishes?
Phil Gutis, our Assistant Sherpa, gives an update on his childhood friend, Elaine, and sparks a conversation with Christy about autonomy and end of life choices for people living with dementia.
(34 minutes)
Show Notes
Resources
For Care Partners
Dementia can last 20+ years.
That's a long time to struggle with trial and error!
If you're ready to step out of overwhelm (and anxiety about the future), click the button below now to schedule your complimentary Dementia Caregiver Strategy call with Christy. (Mobile users, click HERE.)
It's time for you and your person to step into the life you deserve.
Archive
With Host Christy Turner of Dementia Sherpa (Episodes 79-current)
With Host Mike Good of Together in This (Episodes 1-78)
Mike Good founded The Alzheimer’s Podcast in May 2017. Christy appears as a guest in episodes 15, 19, 21, and 23-26. She became the featured expert on the show starting with episode 28 and appears in every episode after, except 56. When Mike decided to follow his bliss, Christy took over the show in January 2019.
Questions? Comments?
If you have questions or comments for Phil (or me), please let us know! We love hearing from you 🙂