The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast

This podcast is the story of Ken and Shanna, a married couple who's lives have been forever changed (for the better) because we have learned to live with and ultimately Survive Alzheimer's disease. We have learned many lessons in our 12+ year journey together down Dementia Road. Our mission is to help caregivers and families who have been changed by Alzheimer's disease. We share our experiences on how we both eventually rediscovered joy and gained a peace that passes all understanding, all while dealing with our lifes greatest challenge.

The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast is a health podcast hosted by Ken Cardita - Ascending Minds LLC, with 50 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Ken Cardita - Ascending Minds LLC hosts The Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, a health show with 50 episodes published.

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  Episode #50

  EP 50 How Did I Get Here ?

  Aug 9, 202612 min

  Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Episode 50: Four Years of Surviving Alzheimer’s and What’s Next " HOW DID I GET HERE ?" In the 50th episode of the Surviving Alzheimer’s podcast, recorded August 9, 2026, the host marks four years since launching the show, noting 50 episodes, over 33,000 downloads, and strong listener feedback. He explains a recent slowdown in releases (only six episodes in 2025 and three so far in 2026), partly due to Shanna’s slow progression and the emotional difficulty of revisiting past journal entries. During that time, he continued leading a Surviving Alzheimer’s support group, attending another group, and providing one-on-one coaching. To reach more people, he plans to add an indexed, topic-based episode catalog to survalz.com , offer webinar-style classes for caregivers, and produce more frequent, likely shorter, educational episodes that share coaching guidance for common caregiving situations. 00:00 50 Episodes Milestone 02:03 Why Episodes Slowed 03:39 Support Groups and Coaching 04:27 Making Episodes Easier to Find 06:39 Webinars and Group Teaching 07:47 Shorter Coaching Style Episodes 09:07 New Educational Direction 30k dl and upcoming webinar Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions Visit the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com) to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ... Visit the Podcast Facebook page

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  Episode #49

  EP 49 - Memory Care Visits

  May 14, 202637 min

  Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Visiting a Loved One in Memory Care: Emotions, Adjustments, and Finding Joy Ken shares what he has learned from five years of visiting his wife, Shana, in memory care, focusing on the emotions and common circumstances families face. He describes stages from the difficult move-in period—emotional shock, learning to live apart, guilt, shifting from full-time caregiver to advocate, and figuring out visit frequency—to finding a sustainable rhythm and shortening visits as Shanna tires more easily. He discusses getting involved with staff, residents, and activities, adjusting holidays and outings as Shanna’s tolerance declines, and creating meaningful traditions like their anniversary dinner and storytelling with music. Ken emphasizes accepting constant change, letting go of expectations and what’s out of control, adapting to Shana’s physical decline, and choosing interpretations that preserve joy in small moments. 00:00 Visiting Memory Care Fears 00:27 Episode Setup and Purpose 02:19 Stage One Move In Shock 07:50 Guilt and Visit Anxiety 10:10 Building Support and Community 11:49 Months Six to Twelve Rhythm 15:19 Boredom to Finding Joy 19:41 Holidays and Traditions 22:48 Why Visits Still Matter 24:15 Later Years New Limitations 28:25 Preparing for the End 30:47 Lessons and Final Story 30k dl and upcoming webinar Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions Visit the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com) to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ... Visit the Podcast Facebook page

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  Episode #48

  EP 48 Checking In

  Feb 16, 202615 min

  Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Checking In After a Break: Grief, Support, and Shanna’s Ongoing Alzheimer’s Journey Host Ken Cardita returns to the Surviving Alzheimer’s Podcast after several months away to explain his absence and share personal updates from his 13-year caregiving journey with his wife, Shanna. He describes ongoing grief and sadness over the past few months, beginning with Shanna’s roommate passing away shortly before Thanksgiving and continuing through the holidays and into New Year’s after the death of a longtime friend’s wife who had dementia. Ken shares that Shanna’s condition shows increasing neurological symptoms,greater fatigue, and a slower recognition of him. Ken also updates listeners on his ongoing Surviving Alzheimer’s support group (third Monday nights at 7:00 PM Mountain Standard Time in Arizona) and his one-on-one coaching with people early in their caregiving journey, emphasizing lessons about thoughts, mood, and what can and can’t be controlled. He reflects that even coaches need support, recommits to self-care and finding joy, and shares plans to shape the podcast in 2026 by incorporating more coaching training and posting more frequently, while encouraging caregivers to take care of themselves, be patient, and share the podcast with others. 00:00 Welcome to the Surviving Alzheimer’s Podcast (Ken & Shanna’s journey) 00:43 It’s Been a Few Months: Why I’ve Been Away 01:20 Holiday Grief Begins: Shanna’s Roommate Passes 03:17 New Year Heaviness: Losing a Friend & Remembering the Early Days 04:33 Bright Spots: Support Group + 1-on-1 Coaching Updates 06:32 Taking Stock in 2026: Shanna’s Decline & New Neurological Symptoms 08:29 Medication Changes, New Room, and a Sweet New Routine Together 10:51 Speaking From the Heart: Self-Care, Finding Joy, and Podcast Plans for 2026 30k dl and upcoming webinar Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions Visit the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com) to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ... Visit the Podcast Facebook page

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  Episode #47

  EP 47 Is She Suffering

  Oct 13, 202533 min

  Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Understanding Suffering in Alzheimer's Disease: A Caregiver's Perspective In episode 47 of the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast, host Ken Cardina delves into the topic of suffering, specifically examining whether or not his wife Shanna, who has Alzheimer's, is suffering. Drawing from a poignant conversation with his daughter, Ken explores both emotional and mental aspects of suffering in the context of Alzheimer's caregiving. He provides detailed insights into the various stages of Shanna's journey, their shift to memory care, and the differences in her well-being in two different facilities. Ken offers practical advice for caregivers on managing their own and their loved ones' emotional well-being, discussing concepts like fact vs. interpretation, the impact of belief systems, and the significance of positive responses to repeated questions. The episode also features a listener comment from Flo Garinger, highlighting the podcast's ongoing impact. 00:00 A Heartfelt Conversation with My Daughter 01:08 Introduction to the Podcast 01:53 Defining Suffering 02:28 Listener Comment and Feedback 03:32 Understanding Suffering in Alzheimer's 08:05 Reflecting on Shanna's Diagnosis 21:24 The Role of Memory Care Facilities 29:18 Dealing with Repeated Questions 30:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 30k dl and upcoming webinar Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions Visit the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com) to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ... Visit the Podcast Facebook page

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  Episode #46

  EP 46 What I Did this Summer

  Aug 12, 202528 min

  Send Ken a Text Message about the Podcast Overcoming Guilt and Cherishing Moments: A Caregiver's Summer Reflections Ken shares heartfelt experiences from his summer, including celebrating his 45th wedding anniversary with his wife Shanna, who is battling Alzheimer's, Shanna's 65th birthday with her family, and a long overdue extended family vacation. Ken reflects on the emotional journey of transitioning from full-time caregiving to balancing family life, overcoming survivor's guilt, and finding joy amid challenges. He emphasizes the importance of addressing caregiver guilt, seeking support, and staying connected with family. Ken also shares how becoming a life coach has allowed him to help others navigate similar struggles, urging listeners to find the balance between responsibilities and self-care. 00:00 Episode Overview 01:16 Celebrating 45 Years of Marriage 09:23 Shanna's 65th Birthday Celebration 11:12 Family Vacation to Mission Beach 18:12 Planning a Cruise Vacation 20:52 Reflections and Moving Forward 22:42 Encouragement for Caregivers 24:54 Conclusion and Podcast Mission 30k dl and upcoming webinar Get the FREE Guide to Responding to Repeated Questions Visit the Surviving Alzheimer's Podcast Website (survalz.com) to Register for the Support Group, Newsletter and more ... Visit the Podcast Facebook page

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