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This is Your Brain on Mom

This is Your Brain on Mom

Written by: Aflalo Communications Inc.
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 This Is Your Brain on Mom, sibling co-hosts open up about the unexpected beginning of their mother’s dementia journey — a journey that didn’t start with obvious memory loss, but with a broken ankle. What followed were strange behaviors, unexplained shifts, and subtle cognitive changes that signaled something deeper was happening. As a brother-and-sister caregiver team, we share the real-life dementia storyof how we first encountered our mom’s cognitive decline. From unusual reactions in the hospital to confusing days at home, we walk through the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease and how they can appear differently than you might expect. We also discuss the differences between dementia vs. Alzheimer’s and how confusing it is to understand the distinction. This podcast highlights the emotional side of becoming sibling caregivers — the frustration, the gut instinct, and the bond that forms when adult children team up to care for a parent. We also share how we use humor as a survival tool, because sometimes the only way through the fear and confusion of the progression of Alzheimer’s disease is to laugh together. By telling our caregiving story, we hope to normalize the chaos, confusion, and unexpected moments that caregivers face, and to create a space where others feel seen. We explain why we decided to start this podcast — to document the earliest moments of our journey and to give a voice to other sibling caregiversnavigating similar paths. Whether you’re researching dementia vs. Alzheimer’s, searching for early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, curious about sibling caregivers, or looking for real-life dementia stories to relate to, this podcast offers a candid, relatable, and hopeful look at the very beginning of the caregiving journey.2025-26. Aflalo Communications Inc. Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Living on a Closed Dementia Ward at 21 | A Conversation with Teun Toebes

    Living on a Closed Dementia Ward at 21 | A Conversation with Teun Toebes
    Feb 17 2026
    What if dementia isn’t a care crisis — but a societal one? In this powerful episode of This Is Your Brain on Mom, we sit down with Teun Toebes, a Dutch activist and global advocate who made an extraordinary decision at just 21 years old: he moved into a closed dementia ward. Not as a researcher. Not as a staff member. But as a neighbor. Born in the south of the Netherlands, Teun first visited a nursing home at 17 and was struck by what he describes as a “surreal nobody’s land” — beautiful people living inside a system that sorted them by their diagnosis. What followed was not a project, but a way of life. He chose to live alongside people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia to understand what life inside long-term care truly feels like. In this deeply emotional and thought-provoking conversation, we explore: What it’s really like inside a closed dementia ward How nursing homes prioritize safety and control over individuality The stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s and dementia Why dementia is often framed as a “terminal disease” — and how that language strips humanity The isolation so many residents face The impact of intergenerational connection Why Teun believes dementia is not a healthcare problem — but a societal issue We also discuss Human Forever, the internationally acclaimed documentary Teun co-created with filmmaker Jonathan de Jong. After traveling to 11 countries, they uncovered a powerful truth: the greatest suffering experienced by people living with dementia often comes not from the diagnosis itself, but from how society treats them. If you are caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s, supporting someone with early-onset dementia, or questioning how long-term care is structured, this episode will challenge and inspire you. Dementia does not erase humanity.Systems can.But systems can also change. 🎧 Listen now to hear why Teun Toebes believes a better future for people living with dementia starts with all of us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • Do You Want to Know? Living Out Loud After an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

    Do You Want to Know? Living Out Loud After an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
    Feb 10 2026
    Today’s episode is different — and deeply important. We sit down with David Uhlfelder, an advocate & podcast host living with dementia. David was diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s disease in April 2025, and from the moment of diagnosis, he made a conscious decision: this would be part of his story, but it would not be the part that silences him. David is the host of David’s Alzheimer’s Fight, a podcast he co-hosts with dementia care specialist Dr. Karen Gilbert, where they explore what it actually looks like to live with clarity, purpose, and connection after a diagnosis. Together, they share practical guidance on brain health, caregiving strategies, community resources, and navigating life with Alzheimer’s — whether you’re living with it yourself or caring for someone who is. In this conversation, David takes us back to the moment he received his diagnosis and walks us through the early signs that led him to seek medical answers — from forgetting long-standing routines and passwords to the fear of making critical mistakes at work. He speaks candidly about the emotional impact, the relief of finally knowing, and the mindset shift that allowed him to move forward with intention rather than fear. We also talk about: The early warning signs of Alzheimer’s and when to trust your gut Why early diagnosis matters more than most people realize Living an active, purpose-driven life after a dementia diagnosis Anger, agitation, and emotional changes — and how awareness can help Advocacy, research, and the hope behind early detection and trials This episode is honest, empowering, and surprisingly hopeful — a reminder that a dementia diagnosis does not erase identity, agency, or the ability to help others. Learn more about David’s work:🌐 https://davidsalzheimersfight.org/🎙️ Podcast: David’s Alzheimer’s Fight📱 Instagram: @davidsalzheimersfight Whether you’re living with Alzheimer’s, supporting a loved one, or simply want to better understand what early dementia can look like, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • There Is No Roadmap for Aging (So Here’s How to Build One)

    There Is No Roadmap for Aging (So Here’s How to Build One)
    Feb 3 2026
    In this episode of This Is Your Brain on Mom, we’re joined by Kelly Baarley, a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) with over a decade of experience in the senior care industry and specialized training in Alzheimer’s and dementia education. Kelly’s work is deeply personal. Her journey began as a family caregiver to grandparents living with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s, and that experience shaped her belief that there is no one-size-fits-all roadmap for aging. Today, Kelly helps families create their own roadmap—offering clarity, education, and guidance during some of the most overwhelming moments of caregiving. We break down what a Certified Senior Advisor actually does (in plain English), including the licensing process, ethical standards, and the core areas of aging and senior care expertise—ranging from health and dementia care to financial planning and probate. This conversation also tackles the real-life issues caregivers face every day: When and how to talk to a loved one about stopping driving Navigating family dynamics without blowing things up Understanding the differences between assisted living, skilled nursing, hospice, and rehab Why so many caregivers feel lost—and why that’s not a personal failure Kelly explains how she works with families across the U.S. and internationally, offering virtual support that removes geographic barriers and provides non-biased, compassionate advocacy when families need it most. If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s, feeling overwhelmed by senior care options, or wishing someone could just explain things clearly—this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 mins
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