Exploring Alzheimer's Through Fiction: Marianne Sciucco's Journey

Christy Byrne Yates moderates an Aging & Amazing book club discussion with co-host Marianne Sciucco on the value of fiction in dementia caregiving. Marianne, a founder and manager of AlzAuthors, and also board president, podcast producer and host, draws from her experiences as a nurse and personal caregiver to share her journey and the inspiration behind her novel, "Blue Hydrangeas: An Alzheimer's Love Story." A registered nurse, she was drawn into the world of Alzheimer's and dementia care through personal experiences with family members affected by the disease. Working in the dementia unit of a nursing home, she found her calling in caring for individuals impacted by cognitive diseases. Her encounters with patients in various stages of memory impairment sparked a deep curiosity and desire to find solutions to improve their comfort and well-being. It was a serendipitous meeting with an elderly couple, where the wife had Alzheimer's and the husband was her devoted caregiver, that inspired Marianne to embark on her writing journey. Fueled by her passion for highlighting the often-overlooked male caregivers, her book delves into the emotional complexities of Alzheimer's and the unwavering love and hope that sustains caregivers through the challenges. Marianne's unique perspective and firsthand experiences bring authenticity to her narrative, offering readers a heartfelt glimpse into the world of Alzheimer's and the profound impact it has on those touched by its reach. She believes fiction can be an in important tool in educating people about Alzheimer's and dementia, offering a "soft landing space," where readers can not only find facts but discover the human story found in all dementia situations. In this episode, you will: Explore the process of writing books about Alzheimer's and the impact of storytelling on raising awareness.Gain valuable insights into navigating the complexities of dementia diagnosis and care, empowering you to make informed decisions.Understand the impact of Alzheimer's on families and gain insights into fostering resilience and coping mechanisms.Navigate the complexities of dementia diagnosis and care with valuable insights and expert perspectives. After the podcast Read Marianne's AlzAuthors postPurchase Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer's love story About the Moderators Marianne Sciucco Christy Byrne Yates About the Podcast AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please donate here. Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here. Thanks for listening. We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network Find us on The World Podcast Network and babyboomer.org Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know We've got merch! Shop our Store  

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Welcome to the AlzAuthors podcast! We’re so glad you found us. We're the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer's and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Join us as one of our authors shares their dementia journey, revealing intimate details and painfully obtained knowledge to help others currently on this path. We hope our stories offer comfort and support as we strive to break the silence and stigma surrounding a dementia diagnosis. May one of our authors speak to your experience. For more info please visit https://alzauthors.com. Featuring Marianne Sciucco, RN Podcast producer and host Marianne Sciucco is a co-founder and director at AlzAuthors and a registered nurse who cared for hundreds of dementia patients over a 20-year career. She provided care to her stepfather during his dementia journey and witnessed the painful decline of four beloved aunts to the disease. Her novel, "Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s love story," is based on a couple she met through her work and is a testament to the power of love in the face of this heart-wrenching disease. Learn more about Marianne at AlzAuthors.com. Purchase "Blue Hydrangeas" Featuring Christy Byrne Yates, M.S., LEP Christy is a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP), retired school psychologist, author, speaker and coach/consultant. Her book, “Building a Legacy of Love: Thriving in the Sandwich Generation” recounts her journey as a working mother of two who also managed the care of her parents, both of whom had some form of dementia. Combining her lived experience with her professional expertise in human development, wellness and a strengths based approach to finding solutions, Christy develops content, workshops and coaching to support Sandwiched families. She incorporates meditation, mindfulness and other evidence based mind/body practices into her work. She’s worked with care communities, financial professionals, estate planners and employers. Christy has a master’s degree in counseling psychology, and graduate credentials in both education and school psychology. Learn more about Christy at AlzAuthors.com. AlzAuthors is an Amazon Affiliate and may receive a small commission on book sales at no cost to you.