Health and Wellness Archives - Living Life to the Fullest

Connections in the New Year: Adventures in Los Cabos

Final day in San Jose del Cabo before heading to Cabo San Lucas

I’m always so excited in the New Year! New goals! I’m going to read more, write more, exercise more, eat better, never get mad (😂), learn Spanish fluently, have an adventure every week, dance every day, give more, strengthen my faith, celebrate each day, and the list goes on and on.

This year, my first big adventure began in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. I spent 10 days here on my own before meeting up with my BFF, Lisa, along with her partner, Steve for a stay at Pueblo Bonito in neighboring Cabo San Lucas.

I’ll spare you the details and progress of my way-too-many goals, but the overarching “goal” for my life is to live and love fully.

Connections in San Jose del Cabo, En Español

Sharing a meal with Amado at his favorite restaurant, Claro Fish Jr. in San Jose del Cabo.

The first 10 days of the year, I was on my own in San Jose del Cabo. Every day, I had a goal to have a conversation with a local in Spanish.

Day 1: Taxi-Driver
Day 2: Waitress
Day 3: Get battery on my phone replaced (I’m still proud of this one!)
Day 4: Discuss Venezuelan President capture with Pharmacist (his topic and beyond my Spanish-speaking abilities!).

I hit the jackpot when I met Amado, a bilingual Mexican-Canadian. I told him that I wanted to practice Spanish and he was a patient listener, teacher and tour guide! He showed me all over San Jose del Cabo and was so generous with his time and his heart. It was my favorite day in San Jose del Cabo. Amado became a fast friend and I hope we’ll stay in touch.

Connections with God and BFF, Lisa

Full of awe at a the morning sunrise and a timely God moment

In my quest to further my connection with God, I’d downloaded the Bible app, on the recommendation from my BFF and Minnesota-friend, Lisa.

Every morning that I was in San Jose del Cabo, I was greeted by the most beautiful sunrise from the high-rise balcony at my HomeExchange.

One morning, right as I was viewing the gorgeous sunrise, my phone dinged and up popped the morning verse:

Arise, Shine, For the Light has Come and the Glory of the Lord has Risen Upon You.
Isaiah 60:1

It was as if God was texting me!

Attending Cabo Church in Cabo San Lucas with Lisa. They recited the same Isaiah 60:1 verse

Maintaining Connections from Afar

Even though I’m loving the warmth, beauty, and freedoms of vacationing in Mexico, I don’t want to neglect or be insensitive to my friends and family that are going through hard times.

Daily calls with Mom – She’s with her friend, Debbie!

The most valuable calls I’ve been making have been my Drop-in calls to Mom. She still has her good days and bad days. I’ve been happy to see that she now recognizes her new friend, Debbie and that they’ve become very bonded!

I’m also able to stay in touch with other friends and family – Facebook, text messages, and calls help me keep up with what’s happening with my “people” and it’s such a comfort.

What Went Well and What I Want to Do Differently

Overall, this first 2-weeks of 2026 went amazingly well. The beautiful HomeExchange, the ever-present bougainvillea, the colorful streets, finding a new sweet friend, Amado, improving my Spanish, meeting up with Steve and Lisa — all have surpassed expectations.

The one area that I could do better would be to detach more from the news. For the next couple of weeks, I’m choosing to cut back. I’ll stay informed, take a deep breath, pray for those who are suffering, and focus on what I can do—show up, help where I can, and keep noticing moments of joy.

My pTau-217 Results Are In!

Getting a pTau-217 blood test for Alzheimer’s Risk

In my last blog post I shared that I decided — as part of my “What to Do in Retirement” theme — to get a blood test that measures pTau-217, one of the earliest and most accurate biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. They now know that Alzheimer’s pathology can begin 15–20 years before symptoms, so early detection is becoming as important as cholesterol testing.

Last week, I got the results.

➡ My pTau-217 level is 0.13 pg/mL.
➡ Which means… absolutely nothing alarming. In fact, it’s great news!

Research labs all over the world (BioFINDER, Mayo Clinic, Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, JAMA Neurology studies) use cutoffs ranging from 0.27 to 0.59 pg/mL to indicate early Alzheimer’s activity.

My number? 0.13.
“Low Risk” – This was a huge relief, but since these tests are new, I still wasn’t sure what exactly it meant. Did it mean I was in the clear for life?

So, thanks to Google and ChatGPT, I did more research and found out:

I’m not in the 20-year preclinical Alzheimer’s window.
I don’t have measurable amyloid or tau buildup.
My risk for developing symptoms in the next 10–15 years is considerably lower than average, even with family history.

How often should we test for pTau-217?

Experts say pTau-217 levels rise extremely slowly, so every 2–3 years is a reasonable interval — unless I join a clinical study.

Now that the results are in, it’s easy for me to say I’m glad I got tested. I’d been obsessively worried and now I can breathe easier. However, those who are high-risk are eligible to participate in trials. The best time to be able to influence the outcome is before symptoms begin to show during the “20-year preclinical Alzheimer’s window.”

If you’re curious about your own risk, I did my free screening through CareAccess, and they even gave me a $45 gift card.
Here’s my referral link:
http://friends.careaccess.com/783Mjz

Whether or not you get tested or are low-risk or high-risk, I think we could all benefit from having a brain-healthy lifestyle. This year, my blogging theme was “retirement.” Next year, it’s going to be about Healthy Aging, with an emphasis on Brain Health!

I’m excited to share all that I’m learning about Alzheimer’s and the brain.

Finding Out My Alzheimer’s Risk in Retirement

I try to have a yearly theme for my blog and this year it was going to be fun things to do in retirement. I’ve covered both the usual (Solo Travel!) and the unusual (Light Therapy). Now there’s something new I can do! Something I wasn’t able to do before this year: Find out my Alzheimer’s risk in retirement. (Yay!)

I didn’t exactly have “get a pTau blood test” on my bucket list, but here we are.

Asking My Doctor

I’ve been somewhat obsessive about brain health since my Mom’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. When I read about the new blood tests that are out I’d been internally debating about whether or not I should find out my risk.

“I should at least find out if they’re available and covered by insurance,” I thought.

So at my annual exam, I bravely asked my doctor.

Her response was against it and included comments such as…

“It’s too new.”
“It’s not covered by insurance.” and
“I have a patient who really has problems and it’s not even covered for her.”

I was mildly relieved that I apparently was not as impaired as at least one of her other patients.

According to her, the test wasn’t recommended unless I was already showing signs of Alzheimer’s—like forgetfulness, confusion, or putting my keys in the refrigerator. I was also relieved she didn’t mention constantly getting lost which has been a problem of mine my entire life.

Meanwhile, I take the AARP cognitive test every three months and swear I’m improving. (Now that I’ve memorized the test.)

I can wait for the blood tests to be covered, I thought.

The $1,000 Blood Test That Wasn’t Meant to Be

In my continued quest to stay up-to-date, I kept hearing about these blood tests and how the earlier high-risk Alzheimer’s can be detected, the more chance there is that it can be prevented or delayed with lifestyle changes.

I called a neurologist who offered the test.
They quoted me over $1,000, not covered by insurance.

I decided I should just make all the lifestyle changes as if I were high risk. No more alcohol, no more sugar, only whole foods, and daily exercise.

Enter CareAccess: The Unexpected Hero

Then—thank you, targeted advertising gods—I saw an ad for CareAccess, offering the test for free for people over 55 with a family history of Alzheimer’s.

Woo Hoo! Maybe I could go back to eating somewhat poorly and drinking margaritas again!

And to sweeten the deal, they gave me a $45 preloaded Mastercard just for participating.

Last Monday, I got the blood test—full lipid panel and the Alzheimer’s pTau marker. I’ll get the results next week. (Until then, I’m savoring unhealthy foods and drinks.)

Am I Nervous? Yup. But Also…Realistic.

Here’s my thinking:

Even if the results say I’m “high risk,” it’s not that different than getting news that I’m going to die someday.

My mom didn’t show symptoms until her late 80s, and research has advanced dramatically since then.

Today we have:

medications
brain-healthy lifestyle recommendations
actual hope!

And I already LOVE doing a lot of the brain-healthy stuff like socializing, learning, and sleeping! (And I can learn to love healthier eating and more exercise.)

Why I Still Want to Know

Many people don’t want to know their Alzheimer’s risk. Totally understandable.

But for me, knowing earlier gives me more time to plan, adjust, and to have the motivation to stick to the healthiest lifestyle I’ve ever had.

If you’re curious too (no pressure, truly!), here’s the link:
👉 http://friends.careaccess.com/783Mjz

Full disclosure: I get $25 if you get the test yourself. If you know me, hit me up and we’ll spend it together on a brain-healthy meal! (Or maybe a celebratory drink before we start on our brain-healthy regimen.)

Carpe Diem, Brain Edition

Retirement gives us the gift of time—and knowing our Alzheimer’s risk in retirement can help us make the most of it. Whether you want to learn more, stay blissfully unaware, or just enjoy the $45 gift card like I did, the important thing is this:

Live fully. Stay curious. Celebrate!

Exploring The Light Club in Retirement: A Brain-Boosting Microadventure

One of the joys of living a Carpe Diem lifestyle is saying “yes” to new things—even better when it’s something I’ve never heard of before and good for my brain! My friend Cathy recently told me about The Light Club in Boulder, a place that is unique, immersive, and beneficial for brain health. Count me IN!

Walking inside felt like stepping into a dreamlike sanctuary. With patterned textiles, crystal formations, geometric sculptures, mirrored accents, and soft, shifting lights, the entire space buzzed with color and creativity. The walls were painted my favorite color – you guessed it – purple! It was part art installation, part meditation space, and entirely unlike anything I’d experienced.

By the way, I love trying to match my attire to whatever celebration or experience I’m having, and look how perfectly my purple attire fit in!

The Light Club Experience

Cathy and I lay down on two mildly vibrating beds (head-to-head) draped with vibrant fabrics. Above us hung intricate geometric structures, strands of beads, and special lights. Before the session began, we put on high-quality headphones, and even the simple introduction sounded like it came from some other dimension. The audio felt close, rich, and fully immersive—like a hologram for the ears.

When the session started, we closed our eyes. Even with no external visuals, I began seeing colors, patterns, and shapes dancing behind my eyelids. These weren’t projected by the room—they were created by my own brain, responding to sound, light, and relaxation. It was mesmerizing in a way that felt both soothing and mentally stimulating.

A Tiny Moment of Confusion (Thanks to a Fly!)

At one point, I felt a faint buzzing sensation on my upper lip. Because my eyes were closed and the headphones blocked all real-world noise, I honestly wondered if this was some kind of unexpected sensory component of The Light Club experience—though definitely not one I would have signed up for!

After a moment of uncertainty, I swatted at it and felt it flutter away. Sure enough, after the session ended, I confirmed: it was a real fly, not some experimental sensory technology. A funny reminder that even in an otherworldly environment, nature still participates.

A Microadventure for Brain Health

The Light Club felt like a natural extension of my “Year of Microadventures”—those unique, curious, low-effort adventures that add novelty and joy to everyday life.

What I loved most was the blend of relaxation, sensory stimulation, and simple fun. It wasn’t just visually and aurally immersive—it was a moment to step out of routine and let my brain explore something new.

To be honest, it reminded me a bit of the Psilocybin journey I took a couple of years ago, but without the psilocybin!

Also, I’d like to note, that there is a whole lot more to the science behind light and sound waves and how they can help our brains. Being a newbie, I just got an initial appetizer into a world full of recipes.

Would I Recommend The Light Club?

Absolutely. If you’re in Boulder and curious about mindfulness, creativity, or brain-healthy experiences, The Light Club is worth a try. It was kind of a woo-woo experience for this engineer, but just trying new things builds neuroplasticity, so, if you get the chance, do it!

it’s a soothing, colorful, and memorable microadventure—especially when shared with a good friend.

Celebrate National Alzheimer’s Day with the BrightFocus Triple Match!

One of the things I love most about Carpe Diem Day is finding joy in celebrating the many “little-known holidays” that brighten our calendars. Today is one that feels especially meaningful: National Alzheimer’s Day. It’s a chance to raise awareness, celebrate the progress being made in research, and take steps — big and small — to keep our brains healthy.

This year, it’s personal. My mom recently moved into a memory care facility close to my sister, Michele. While the transition has been difficult, there’s comfort in knowing she’s safe, cared for, and close to family. Thanks to a simple but powerful tool — the Echo Show — I’m able to “drop in” with video calls when I can’t be there in person. Technology, in this case, really does help us seize the day and stay connected.

Celebrating research progress

Scientists are uncovering new insights about Alzheimer’s every year, and there are promising treatments on the horizon. These advances remind me that hope and progress are alive and well.

Making a difference today

On this National Alzheimer’s Day, there’s a special way to amplify your impact. The BrightFocus Foundation is tripling all donations made today — turning every $1 into $3 for Alzheimer’s research and support. If you’d like to join in, here’s the link: BrightFocus Triple Match.

Everyday brain health

We can also celebrate by caring for our own brains:

Moving our bodies — walking, dancing, stretching.
Eating nutritious, colorful foods.
Staying socially connected.
Challenging ourselves with new activities, like learning a skill or playing a game.

Carpe diem isn’t about ignoring challenges; it’s about finding ways to live fully in the midst of them. On this National Alzheimer’s Day, that means honoring loved ones like my mom, supporting the research that brings us hope, and practicing simple daily habits that keep our own brains bright and strong.

💜 Here’s to living fully, loving deeply, and celebrating every moment — one special day at a time.

Read more about my Mom’s journey with AD in these posts:

Blessed by the Sound of Music

Music works Miracles!

This post is kind of a “part 2” to the one I wrote a little while ago: Lessons from My Mother’s Journey with Alzheimer’s.

Last month, Mom landed in the hospital with sepsis. (Don’t worry—she’s doing much better now!) While she was still in her hospital bed, a volunteer wheeled in a keyboard and started playing Que Sera, Sera. And there was Mom—singing right along, like she hadn’t missed a beat.

Seeing that video reminded me how powerful music can be, especially for people with dementia. I went hunting through my old piano books and pulled out The Sound of Music. (Yes, I still had it from childhood!) I started practicing, and during our nightly calls, I’d play for Mom. She’d hum or sing along, and no matter how many notes I missed, she always ended with, “Oh, I just LOVED that!” Yes, she’ll always be my biggest fan!

It’s become our sweet little bedtime ritual—me practicing, her singing, neither of us caring that it’s the same routine every night. (Though our nightly concert might be wearing thin for my house-mates, John and Mari!)

When I visited Mom in person last week, we even recorded her singing The Sound of Music. And right at the end, as she sang, “My heart will be blessed with the sound of music, and I’ll sing once more,” I teared up and totally screwed up my notes at the exact most emotional moment. Typical me!

Now, I don’t want to make it sound like music is the only way to reach Mom. She’s always brighter when she sees me, either via FaceTime and especially, in person. But music definitely adds an extra sparkle. It makes her happy. It makes me happy. And it brings back a flood of memories for both of us.

I Simply Remember My Favorite Things

Music has been a part of our family’s history throughout my life. Mom played the piano and my sister and I both learned to play, too. Broadway musical hits were popular in our family, but “The Sound of Music” was undoubtedly the musical that generates so many memories:

One of the first movies I saw at the theater!
Mom singing My Favorite Things to me when I was little and crying.
Hearing the songs over and over again from our stereo or being played on the piano.
Our family watching the movie annually together once it was out on TV.
For Mom’s 70th birthday, I rewrote the lyrics to So Long, Farewell, and her six grandkids performed it in a skit that had everyone cracking up.
Singing “Climb Every Mountain” with Dee O’Malley, one of Mom’s best friends.

Music isn’t a cure, but can be a sweet relief from the fears that come with Alzheimer’s. I created this video to the tune of “Raindrops on Roses” hoping it will help Mom simply remember her favorite things.

Improving Your Joyspan in Retirement

I haven’t been on my computer nearly as much as I’d like lately. My eyes have been bothering me—a lot. More than an hour on the computer leaves me with headaches and blurry vision.

That said, I still make time to scan my morning newsletters, and last week one led me to a book that instantly spoke to me: Joyspan by Dr. Kerry Burnight. It was featured in an article titled Anti-Aging Is Overrated. Joy Is the Real Fountain of Youth.

The article also linked to this podcast episode, which I immediately listened to. And wow—Joyspan! Kerry described the exact ideas I’ve been living and reflecting on since I retired.

The 4 Keys to Improving Joyspan

Since retiring (and devouring every happiness self-help book I can get my hands on), I’ve often said that the four things I try to do every day are:

Learn
Socialize
Give
Exercise

Kerry shares four keys to joy that look awfully familiar:

Grow
Connect
Give
Adapt

Pretty similar, right? The first three line up almost exactly. The difference is that Kerry lists Adapt instead of Exercise. But honestly, I think exercise is one of the best ways to adapt! Movement helps us adjust to aging bodies and shifting circumstances.

And if there’s one thing I’ve gotten good at—both in retirement and in my work as an Agile coach—it’s adapting. Adapting means embracing change, letting go of rigidity, and finding new ways to do the things we love.

Finding Joy in the Midst of Challenge

Listening to Kerry on different podcasts this week, I especially connected with her stories of resilience. She emphasizes how mindset shapes our aging journey—accepting limitations without giving up joy.

One story really struck me: Kerry described how a friend with Alzheimer’s was still able to offer her meaningful advice. It’s such a reminder that no matter our age or abilities, we all have something valuable to give.

That resonates deeply with my own experience. I’ve written often about my mom and her journey with dementia. People sometimes tell me how thoughtful I am to call her every night. But honestly, I benefit just as much—maybe even more—from those visits. Through our calls, we share laughter, comfort, and love. And together, we’re living all four Joyspan keys: growing, connecting, giving, and adapting.

Combining Agile Practices with Joyspan

For years, I’ve thought about writing another book on applying Agile principles to retirement. But with my eye issues, projects that involve heavy reading and writing have taken a back seat.

Reading Joyspan has given me the nudge I needed to get going again. Yes, my eyes are a challenge—but there are tools and workarounds: audiobooks, Kindle accessibility settings, dictation software, and yes, even ChatGPT for copyediting. I can make adjustments to keep doing what I love, while also staying hopeful that my doctors will help me find long-term solutions.

And when I compare my situation to what so many others are facing, I realize how fortunate I am. Kerry herself has dealt with major eye issues. My dear friend Craig, who passed from ALS in 2010, and my mother, who is navigating Alzheimer’s, have both taught me by example that joy is possible even in the face of profound challenges.

When I was younger, I remember thinking that ALS and Alzheimer’s were the worst diseases imaginable and prayed no one I loved would ever have to endure them. Life had other plans. And yet, walking alongside Craig and my mom has been an unexpected gift—teaching me about grace, resilience, and the unshakable possibility of joy.

Lessons from My Mother’s Journey with Alzheimer’s

For the past several months, my life (and most of my blog posts) have been about my Mom and her journey with dementia due to Alzheimer’s. While everyone’s journey and progression is going to be different, there is so much I’m learning, both about the disease, and about myself.

I don’t want to minimize the pain of this cruel disease. I know it’s heart-breaking. But, honestly, I feel closer to my mother than I ever have in my adult life.

While I still have fears about the future, here are some of the unexpected sweet memories I’ll carry with me about this time:

She still lights up when she sees me

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”

~Maya Angelou

I call Mom every day and I’m usually able to step her through getting on FaceTime so that we can see each other’s faces.

I’m always amazed at how much this act of seeing my face on the phone serves to excite her! She’s excited about seeing me in person, too, but she just really loves it that she can see me so clearly on the phone. “It’s like you’re right here in the room with me!” she’ll say.

I think a lot of this excitement is that we have the technology to do this and that she’s actually using it!

Screenshot of a call with Mom 7-20-25 – Her smile says it all!

But whether we sing a song together (something she loves to do) or I tell her about my day (sometimes multiple times) or I remind her of a family story, she absolutely loves our visits.

If I tell her a story that makes her laugh, I can share it again tomorrow — and she’ll laugh just as hard, as if hearing it for the first time.

Living in the moment – Truly!

Happiness self-help books tell us to “live in the moment” and not ruminate about things we can’t change. When you can’t remember much, you really can’t help but to “live in the moment.”

I know that it can be frustrating for Mom to have a feeling of fear or sadness and not really remember the origination of that feeling.

It’s been difficult to navigate her grief over people who have died. She doesn’t remember their deaths. When she asks about people who have died, I gently remind her, telling her how much she loved them and how comforted they were by her at the end of their lives.

When she says she can’t remember their actual deaths, I say something like, “I think our minds don’t want us to use up space with sad, painful memories. But let’s talk about the happy memories.”

Then I’ll tell her one of those memories that I know makes her smile, and she’ll soon forget her sadness.

I’ve seen how prolonged grief can be all-consuming on those of us with full memory. In some ways, I think my mom is spared that burden. Her mind gently shields her from the sharp edges of loss.

Letting her be the mother

I learned a lot by taking a class through CareBlazers about how family members can best care for someone with dementia.

In the month before moving Mom and Philip to a Senior Facility, I lived with them to help care for them. Even though there were times I needed to help or get Mom to do things she didn’t want to do, I was careful to not treat her as though I were the mother and she was the child.

She responded best when I would ask for her help. For example, I asked to borrow her blowdryer and my Dad’s old bathrobe. (He’d died in 2010, but she’d kept his huge bathrobe.) After I took a bath, she was so pleased to see me cozy in his oversized bathrobe. She came over to give me a big hug, knowing she’d provided not just hospitality, but a way for me to reconnect with my father, through his robe.

I still use every chance I can to remind Mom how much I respect and admire her. I admire her humor, her resilience, and her strength. When I tell her this on a FaceTime call, I see her face visibly fill with pride. She often will get tears in her eyes and say something like, “Oh, Yvette, that means so much to me. I love you so much.”

There’s More!

As I’m writing this, I keep thinking of more I’d like to say, but this post is getting long, so I’ll wait for a “Part 2.”

For now, I’ll end in saying that experiencing these calls and visits with Mom, while not always easy, have been so very rewarding.

The Party’s Over… But the Mission Continues

Our Longest Day Party may be over, and I’m thrilled to share that I’ve already exceeded my fundraising goal — thank you to everyone who donated or supported the cause

Even though the event has passed, the Alzheimer’s Association continues its vital work every day — and donations are always welcome.

If this story touched your heart, feel free to contribute here:
http://act.alz.org/goto/KeepMemoriesAlive

Every dollar helps keep memories alive and supports families like mine through their Alzheimer’s journey.

Robotic Pet Provides Joy for All

Episode of Simpsons with robotic seals – My grandchildren shared this episode with me when I told them the story of their Great Grandmother’s new robotic cat.

Robotics and AI have really taken off in the past couple of years. I’m recognizing how much these advances in technology can help people with dementia. One of the sweetest surprises has been how much joy a robotic cat has brought my mom—and not just to her, but to many residents at her senior living community.

Mom, with her new robotic cat, Joy, sitting with her friend, Maggie

A robotic pet was first recommended to me by the Alzheimer’s Association. I was very worried about how Mom would cope with the loss of her (second) partner. Being a nurse, wonderful mother, and animal lover, Mom’s purpose has always been about taking care of others. The woman I spoke to said a robotic pet may help bring her some comfort.

Not a Great First Impression

I was skeptical, but I thought it couldn’t hurt to buy her a robo-cat. When I saw the company that put out these robotic pets was called “Joy for All,” I thought it might be some supernatural sign. Mom’s partner’s last name was “Joy.”

Originally, Mom had the reaction I’d expected. “I’m not so far gone that I don’t know the difference between a real cat and a toy!” she said. And then she added, “but it was a very nice gesture,” not wanting to hurt my feelings.

I told her I wasn’t trying to fool her. It’s just that it was a pretty cool “toy.” If she didn’t want it, though, I could send him back.

Robotic Cat is a Hit with Community

We brought the robotic cat down to dinner with us and everyone at the table loved it! It got so much attention that Mom started to rethink her position. She saw there was value in this “toy” after all!

Robotic cat, Joy, is a big hit with the residents

By the end of the next day, Mom not only decided to keep “Joy,” but I sent robotic cats to two of her friends who had become enamored with the cute futuristic pet.

So Many Benefits, So Much Joy

The robotic cat could purr, meow (or be put in silent mode), roll-over for a tummy scratch, and “pseudo-lick” its paws. Mom and her friends marveled at how easy it was to get the same kind of comfort and attachment you’d feel from a live cat, without any of the problems. “We should buy stock in the company that puts this out!” declared Mom.

We talked about all the benefits of a robotic pet:

No need to feed them
No need to clean their poop
No worries about shedding
No worries they’ll run out when you’re not looking
No expensive visits to the vet
and the best thing, I reminded Mom, “you never have to worry about them getting sick or dying!”

Mom quickly replied: “We just better make sure I have plenty of batteries!”

Two Months Later

Over two months have passed since I gave Mom the robotic cat. She often talks about how much she enjoys him, often adding something like, “I don’t care who thinks its silly.”

I tell her, “No one thinks its silly, Mom. I’m glad you like him!”

This experience has made me reflect on what it means to feel connected—even to something inanimate. If it brings comfort, calm, or a sense of companionship, that’s real. That’s valuable.

I may just have to get one of those robotic cats for myself.

The Party’s Over… But the Mission Continues

Our Longest Day Party may be over, and I’m thrilled to share that I’ve already exceeded my fundraising goal — thank you to everyone who donated or supported the cause! 💜

Even though the event has passed, the Alzheimer’s Association continues its vital work every day — and donations are always welcome.

If this story touched your heart, feel free to contribute here:
🔗 http://act.alz.org/goto/KeepMemoriesAlive

Every dollar helps keep memories alive and supports families like mine through their Alzheimer’s journey.

Keeping Memories Alive for Alzheimer’s: Virtual Visits

It’s not easy watching someone you love slowly slip into the fog of Alzheimer’s. Accepting my mom’s diagnosis has been one of the toughest things I’ve had to do. But through the grief, confusion, and changes, there have been some surprisingly sweet moments — and a lot of those have come through technology.

Since Dad died, I’ve played “tech coach” for Mom. Back in the day, she mastered email, Facebook, and even Zoom — which really came in handy during COVID. But as her memory declined, so did her ability to use devices. And with all the scams out there, it eventually became safer for her to go offline completely.

That left us with her landline. Unfortunately, that rang off the hook with robocalls and scams. Plus, she had to remember phone numbers — a major challenge these days. She’d often lose the paper they were written on, and it just added more stress to her day.

Enter Alexa’s Drop-In Feature

Now, we’ve found a new rhythm that works beautifully: I use the Amazon Alexa “Drop-In” feature like an intercom. Mom doesn’t have to push any buttons or answer anything — I just magically appear in her room like a friendly little voice assistant. Yes, the first time she was a tad freaked out.. “Who’s talking to me? Where are you?” But now she’s very used to it and can even tell Alexa to call us rather than having to use a phone at all.

I “drop in” every morning when she’s just waking up and again at night as she’s getting ready for bed. Sometimes she’s already snoozing by the time I call, but she’ll sleepily murmur something like, “It’s so nice to hear your voice,” or “It’s like you’re giving me a goodnight kiss.”

She also occasionally says something like, “Tomorrow we’ll be crossing the canal.” (Confusing Carlton Senior Living with a cruise ship is an idea I inadvertently planted in her head when I told her how much Carlton was like a cruise ship. But that’s OK! It is!)

We always end with a sweet “Good night! I love you!”

And Yes — We Still FaceTime!

Mom’s iPhone is ancient — I think it may have once belonged to my dad, who passed away in 2010 — but it still has FaceTime! Outgoing calls? Nearly impossible for her now. But if I prep her by asking her to find her phone first, she’s usually able to answer my call. And when she sees my face, she lights up.

“Isn’t technology wonderful?” she exclaims like it’s the first time she’s ever seen a video call.

One of the best parts of Alzheimer’s is that some joys and surprises happen over and over again.

On the mornings she’s scared because she doesn’t know where she is, she immediately calms down, once she sees me. I go through a quick little summary of her life starting from birth, her childhood, meeting Philip and dating him, meeting my Dad and marrying him, having 4 children (her favorite being her daughter, Yvette! j/k), reconnecting with Philip, ending with the move to Carlton last Thanksgiving.

She nods throughout and thanks me profusely. She seems to remember, and even if she’s still a little confused, she’s much more grounded. I stay on the phone with her while she gets dressed and ready for breakfast. Before long, she’s secure again with a care partner at Carlton.

Tiny Treasures from Home

Another fun surprise has been showing her familiar items I brought back to Colorado from her home.

This morning’s visit with Mom was one of the best. My granddaughter, Reneya, had spent the night and had helped me unpack Mom’s huge collection of miniatures.

This morning, I really wanted to do FaceTime so I could show Mom the miniatures and how much Reneya was enjoying them, too. But FaceTime didn’t work! It turned out somehow Mom’s phone had been put into airplane mode. After 30 minutes of stepping Mom through touching the various icons to debug and fix the problem, we finally had success!

And it was well worth it! Mom was so thrilled – she fixed the problem, she got to see and talk to both Reneya and me, and she got to see the miniatures from the dollhouse she loved for decades. We reminisced together – the tiny personalized mugs,

the piano, so much like ours,

the miniature afghan she’d made for the nursery.

Mom was smiling from ear to ear and said the call was like a wonderful gift.

Mother’s Day Joy

FaceTime call on Mother’s Day with the Strawberry Hat made from Mom’s leftover yarn

I had a similar experience with Mom on Mother’s Day.

I showed off the adorable strawberry hat my daughter-in-law made me for Mother’s Day — using leftover yarn from her crochet projects. Mom was completely charmed.

These moments matter. They ground her. They remind me that connection is still possible. And they give me reassurance, that even while I’m in Colorado, I can visit her.

In many ways, these virtual visits are even better than visiting in person. They allow Mom to continue her routine without disruption. They also help both of us know that she is OK without me there. She’s happy to see that I’m able to carry on with my life in Colorado, even while we’re visiting on the phone. I tell her how proud I am of her… how she is and always has been such a wonderful, strong example of a mother. I see the pride and happiness in her eyes.

The next day we may have the same conversation all over again. And that’s fine, because each time I feel grateful to see her smile and hear her “I love you” as we say goodbye.

Want to help?

This June, I’m supporting the Alzheimer’s Association’s “Longest Day” — a campaign that raises funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. If you’ve ever been touched by dementia, please consider donating:

🔗 http://act.alz.org/goto/KeepMemoriesAlive

Let’s keep memories alive — one call, one miniature, one strawberry hat at a time.