Hello Alzheimer’s

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Rick Henkin, the committed care partner of his wife, Sonia, and founder of the Caregiver Mastery Course and a related Facebook group for family caregivers.

Rick's perspective on his Alzheimer's journey alongside Sonia is a beautifully raw, pragmatic and hopeful one: As a husband, he struggled with all the natural emotional setbacks that come with a dementia diagnosis; but as a care partn...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks again with Kelly Grosklags, international speaker, therapist and author. This time, Kelly answers YOUR grief-related questions related to the Alzheimer's and other dementia journey.

As a reminder: Kelly brings compassion, empathy and education to every conversation about grief, by drawing upon her own profound loss as a child and decades of walking alongside families and individuals experienc...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Rosie Gaston, an end-of-life social worker, researcher, educator and founder of "A Better Ending." The two delicately discuss a topic we all seem to avoid, even as it applies to absolutely all of us: how we and our loved ones want to die.

You're still reading? That's fabulous... because this conversation will benefit every single one of us who want to help guide our loved ones on our fin...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Dr. Annabelle Singer, a neuroscientist at Georgia Institute of Technology or Georgia Tech. The conversation covers the science, mechanics and hope of Singer's latest goal: "To understand how neural activity produces memories and spurs the brain’s immune system."

Dr. Singer shares more about how she has: "Established and continues to develop a new therapeutic approach to Alzheimer’s disea...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Gov. Martin Schreiber, the 39th governor of Wisconsin, husband of Elaine, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

In a conversation that covers both policy success and personal heartbreak - along with inspiring lessons for all of us - Gov. Marty shares about his career, his advocacy and his life. As a public servant, Gov. Marty advocated for older adults by pushing for improved long-t...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Kelly Grosklags, international speaker, therapist and author.

Kelly brings compassion, empathy and education to every conversation about grief, by drawing upon her own profound loss as a child and decades of walking alongside families and individuals experiencing their own grief. She's a Board-Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work, holds fellowships and has published podcasts, blogs...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Susan Parriott, Chief Executive Office and Regional Vice President of the Alzheimer's Association, Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter. Sue addresses the key facts featured in the annual report from the Alzheimer's Association, from the number of Americans now living with Alzheimer's disease (7.2 million), to the overwhelming majority of people (9 in 10) who would both want a simple diagnosti...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Trish Cook. According to her website, Trish is an "Anishinaabe Comedic Raconteur." But her brilliance doesn't stop at the stage. Trish brings her talents, kindness and wisdom to her many professional and personal roles -- including her cherished role of daughter. 

In this captivating conversation -- that yes, may make you both laugh and cry -- Trish shares her insights from walking along...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Tamara Statz, a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Vibrant Living.

Tamara delivers needed perspective -- and guidance -- for families on the Alzheimer's and other dementia journey. Karla also throws Tamara some of those uncomfortable but familiar questions families may face related to finances, family dynamics and communication.

Please reach out to Karla at Karla@SoMan...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult begins this week's conversation by reminding all of us -- including herself -- of why it's so important to give ourselves... grace.

Karla then revisits her conversation with Thor Nystrom. Thor's a phenomenal college football and NFL Draft analyst for Fantasy Life; but he's an even better son.

Thor talks about his amazing mom, Rachel Reabe Nystrom, also an accomplished journalist and former host for...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult begins this conversation with first, a look back... at the beautiful conversations we've been honored to share in these last months. THANK YOU for following, listening and learning alongside all of us at Hello Alzheimer's. 

We also want to give you a week to review, reflect or catch that one conversation you may have missed... including this one:

Elder Law Attorney Mary Frances Price, a founding me...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Colleen Fritsch, the Volunteer Dementia Friends Champion Coordinator. If we've lost you with Colleen's title or even the name of this program, then my goodness... Are you in for a treat!

According to the Dementia Friends Minnesota website: "Dementia Friends is a global movement that is changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. Developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in th...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Rachel Boucher, Program Coordinator of The Gathering. The Gathering is one of those beautiful examples in our greater community of resources that do, in fact, offer respite care for all those committed care partners (while also offering enrichment for loved ones living with Alzheimer's or other dementia). By defining what "works" in The Gathering, Rachel also shines a light on what to lo...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult shares the beautiful bond between a mother and daughter, Shirley Heine Rowe Freckmann and Jenn Rowe Glass. And these two women are quite the dynamic duo: After graduating from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor's Degree in Theology, Shirley began a "life of service to others." She advocated for and taught others, while also managing to raise three children. For her part, Jenn has had a successfu...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Jayne Dow Larkin, co-creator, People in the Squeeze and co-author of “Thriving in Chaos: Navigating the Challenges of Aging Parents." In a concise and captivating conversation, they reflect on the challenges adult children experience when caring for their own children AND their aging parents. Karla calls it being "bookended by babies and dementia;" Jayne and Heather Durenberger call it P...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Joan Palmquist about the practical and personal benefits of decluttering and downsizing during the dementia journey.

Joan's a retired marketing researcher who studied both journalism and law. And while that's impressive, Joan's current LinkedIn profile describes her most brilliant and rewarding work yet: "Volunteer Extraordinaire at Various Nonprofit organizations." Most importantly, Joa...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Myrna Marofsky and Kandy Hirsch about the critical need for Mental Health First Aid... for caregivers. The conversation addresses when, why and how to support those primary care partners who simply need the nudge to care... for themselves.

As a reminder, Myrna Marofsky is a fabulous friend, care partner advocate and amazing author of To the Last Dance: A Partner's Story of Living and Lov...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Thor Nystrom. Thor's a phenomenal college football and NFL Draft analyst for Fantasy Life; but he's an even better son.

Thor talks about his amazing mom, Rachel Reabe Nystrom, also an accomplished journalist and former host for Minnesota Public Radio. And Thor shares how his family -- even after Rachel's diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's -- continues to search for the joy (even, or ma...

Hello Alzheimer's host Karla Hult talks with Gordon Solo, the Supervising Attorney of the Senior Law Project at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. Gordon gives insights and advice on what Legal Aid can do -- legally and practically -- to protect every person in our greater community, especially those with fewer resources who are also starting their own dementia journey.

Gordon specifically recommends LawHelpMN.org as a legal resource, includ...