Welcome to Ask Dr. Mia, your pocket geriatrician for sandwich generation dementia caregivers!

Episodes

Navigating Hospital Stays with Dr. Monique Nugent
9
June 2, 2026

Navigating Hospital Stays with Dr. Monique Nugent

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Mia welcomes Dr. Monique Nugent to discuss how caregivers can effectively advocate for loved ones in hospital settings. Dr. Nugent is also the author of Prescription for Admission: The Power and Potential of Hospital Medicine, a must-read for patients, caregivers, and medical professionals alike. This book offers an inside look at hospital care, breaking down complex medical processes and providing actionable insights for anyone interacting with the healt...
Navigating Retirement Communities Featuring Care Patrol
8
May 19, 2026

Navigating Retirement Communities Featuring Care Patrol

Send us Fan Mail This episode features Gina and Allie from Care Patrol discussing the complexities of transitioning seniors into retirement communities. They share insights on planning, choosing the right care level, understanding state regulations, and navigating family dynamics to ensure a smooth and suitable move. Allie Spangler, OTR/L, CSA brings extensive experience and deep passion for helping others. She has supported hundreds of families in navigating care options for their loved one...
Design For Your Mind: A Tool For Healing
7
May 5, 2026

Design For Your Mind: A Tool For Healing

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful interview, Annie Guest shares her journey through caregiving, the importance of radical acceptance, and how interior design can support mental health during challenging times. Discover practical tips for managing burnout, decluttering, and creating spaces that nurture the mind and body. Annie Guest had a varied career in book publishing, advertising, and law, before she took another jump to work as a mental health therapist and publish her first book. In ...
Breaking News in Dementia with Dr. Mia Yang
6
April 21, 2026

Breaking News in Dementia with Dr. Mia Yang

Send us Fan Mail This episode covers recent advances in Alzheimer's research, including the potential link between shingles vaccination and dementia prevention, the biological shifts in aging, and promising biomarkers and treatments like lithium. Dr. Mia discusses how these findings could impact future therapies and personal health decisions. Shingles Vaccine: The Wales/Australia Natural Experiment in Cell: https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(25)01256-5?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flin...
How to Talk to Kids About Dementia: Pinkie's Turnabout with Sue Lloyd-Davies
5
April 7, 2026

How to Talk to Kids About Dementia: Pinkie's Turnabout with Sue Lloyd-Davies

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful interview, Sue Lloyd-Davies discusses her book Pinkie’s Turnabout (Fitzroy, February 2026), inspired by her own experiences caring for a loved one with dementia and her work with children in caregiving situations. The conversation explores the emotional journey of caregiving, the importance of understanding dementia, and how families can foster open conversations about these challenges. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pinky's Turnabout 00:54 Inspiration Beh...
The Power of Presence: How End-of-Life Doulas Support Families with Karon Keller McGovern
4
March 24, 2026

The Power of Presence: How End-of-Life Doulas Support Families with Karon Keller McGovern

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt interview, Karen McGovern shares her personal and professional journey caring for loved ones at the end of life, highlighting the importance of compassion, preparation, and presence. Discover insights into end-of-life care, the role of doulas, and how to navigate grief and caregiving with grace. About Karon Keller McGovern Certified End of Life Doula (2022) National Accreditation (2026) Reiki Master (2016) and Reverend - Celebrations of Life & Weddings (...
Unlocking Brain Resilience: Insights from the POINTER Study
3
March 10, 2026

Unlocking Brain Resilience: Insights from the POINTER Study

Send a text Dr. Mia explores the groundbreaking Finger Study, a global research project on brain health and Alzheimer's prevention. Discover how lifestyle changes like exercise, diet, and cognitive activities can significantly improve brain resilience and delay cognitive decline. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Pointer Study 02:44 Understanding the US Pointer Recipe 05:28 The Role of Exercise in Brain Health 08:16 Dietary Impacts on Cognitive Function 10:57 Gut-Brain Connection and Its I...
Advice For the Sandwich Generation
2
Feb. 24, 2026

Advice For the Sandwich Generation

Send a text In this conversation, Dr. Mia and Dr. Catherine Madison discuss the complexities of caregiving for individuals with dementia, drawing from personal experiences and professional insights. They explore the importance of understanding advanced care planning, and the vulnerability of dementia patients to health challenges. The discussion also covers legal considerations for caregivers, tools for initiating end-of-life conversations, and lifestyle changes that can enhance brain health....
The Changing Definition of Alzheimer's
1
Feb. 10, 2026

The Changing Definition of Alzheimer's

Send a text Ever wonder why the news reports on Alzheimer's causes are so confusing and what's the fuss about these amyloid plaques? This conversation delves into the evolving understanding of Alzheimer's disease, highlighting the shift from traditional diagnosis of exclusion to new definition by underlying pathology. Dr. Mia explains the differences between Alzheimer's disease and dementia, the role of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, and the complexities of diagnosing and treating Alz...