Healthy Looks Great on You

Are you eating too much salt?

Is Salt a Four Letter Word? Understanding Sodium's Impact on Health
In episode 122 of 'Healthy Looks Great On You,' Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper delves into the complex relationship between salt and our health. Despite its essential role in bodily functions, overconsumption of sodium is a widespread problem that could lead to serious health risks including high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Dr. Kasper explains the physiology of sodium in the body, its dietary sources, and strategies for reducing intake. Additionally, she examines several scientific studies that highlight the impact of sodium on longevity and chronic disease prevention. Listeners will also gain practical tips for healthier eating habits, especially when dining out or choosing packaged foods. Join Dr. Kasper on this educational journey and discover how to balance your sodium intake for a healthier life.
RESOURCES (may contain affiliate links)
ALL episodes of Healthy Looks Great on You
Sign up for podcasts by email
Eat this; not that
Salt substitute
00:00 Introduction to the Salt Dilemma00:16 Host Introduction and Personal Journey01:09 Episode Overview: The Salt Question01:25 Understanding Salt and Sodium03:19 Physiology of Sodium and Fluid Balance06:19 Impact of Aging on Sodium Balance07:49 Global Sodium Consumption and Health Risks09:24 Sources of Dietary Sodium13:47 Practical Tips to Reduce Sodium Intake15:42 Research and Studies on Sodium Intake21:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Eat Plant Based with Terri Edwards

Terri Edwards is a certified Food for Life Instructor and the content blogger behind Eat Plant Based. She shares her favorite recipes and discusses her training with the T Collin Campbell E Cornell course. 
Dr. Vickie invited her to share her insight into transitioning to plant-based eating. Terri recounts her own journey and the benefits she immediately experienced with sleep, adult acne and sleep.
Transforming Your Health with Plant-Based Nutrition: Featuring Terri Edwards
In this episode of 'Healthy Looks Great On You,' host Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper converses with Terri Edwards, the creator of 'EatPlantBased.' They delve into the immense benefits of plant-based eating, covering its positive impacts on heart health, brain function, blood pressure, mood, sleep, and more. Terri shares her personal journey, motivated by her own health challenges such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and joint pain, which led her to embrace a plant-based diet and experience transformative results. The discussion highlights practical steps for starting a plant-based diet, the importance of proper medical guidance, resources available for beginners, and recipes that make the transition easier. This episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice for those looking to improve their health through plant-based nutrition.
RESOURCES (may contain affiliate links):
All recipes available on Eat Plant Based
Subscribe to Healthy Looks Great on You emails
ALL episodes
The Power Foods Diet by Dr. Neal Barnard
00:00 Introduction to Plant-Based Benefits01:37 Meet Terri Edwards: The Face Behind EatPlantBased02:29 Terri's Personal Health Journey04:00 Discovering Plant-Based Nutrition07:41 Teaching and Spreading the Plant-Based Message11:27 Resources and Certifications for Plant-Based Nutrition14:03 Practical Tips for Starting a Plant-Based Diet20:38 Terri's Favorite Recipes and Cookbook Plans26:17 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

Why don't doctors prescribe lifestyle changes instead of a pill?

Why Doctors Prescribe Pills Over Lifestyle Changes: Unveiling the Reality
In this episode of 'Healthy Looks Great On You,' host Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper delves into why doctors might opt to prescribe medication instead of recommending lifestyle changes for chronic diseases. Drawing from her extensive experience as an OB-GYN, patient, and healthcare administrator, Dr. Kasper explains the systemic pressures doctors face and highlights the potential of lifestyle medicine. The episode also celebrates the 20th anniversary of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, discusses the impact of lifestyle on health, and explores the six pillars of lifestyle medicine: sleep, social connectivity, avoidance of harmful substances, stress management, physical fitness, and nutrition. Dr. Kasper emphasizes the need for a shift towards lifestyle medicine to prevent and manage chronic diseases effectively.
RESOURCES
Healthy Looks Great on You links/resources/sign up
American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Equilibrium Medical Telehealth
00:00 The Big Question: Why Pills Over Lifestyle Changes?00:35 Introducing Healthy Looks Great On You Podcast00:46 The Transformative Journey of Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper01:47 Diving Into Lifestyle Medicine02:59 The Stark Reality of Chronic Diseases and Healthcare Costs04:35 A Glimpse Into Medical Education and Its Shortcomings07:27 The Modern Doctor's Dilemma: Internet Diagnosis and Overbooked Schedules14:28 Exploring the Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine15:04 The Importance of Sleep and Social Connections17:10 Addressing Harmful Substances and Stress Management19:21 Physical Fitness and Nutrition: The Final Pillars21:20 Closing Thoughts: The Challenge and Reward of Lifestyle Changes

6 Things to Lower Your Risk of Breast Cancer

Lowering Your Risk for Breast Cancer: Insights and Strategies
In this episode of 'Healthy Looks Great On You,' host Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper, a former obstetrician gynecologist turned lifestyle medicine advocate, discusses the prevalence and risk factors of breast cancer, emphasizing its substantial impact on women globally. With breast cancer being the most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide and a leading cause of cancer death among women, the episode sheds light on various aspects including the higher occurrence in older women, the importance of lifestyle factors alongside genetic predispositions, and misconceptions about risk factors. Dr. Petz Kasper also breaks down complex medical terms and concepts for easier understanding. The core of the episode focuses on six lifestyle adjustments that can potentially lower the risk of breast cancer, ranging from breastfeeding and alcohol consumption to diet changes and physical activity. Additionally, it touches on the importance of weight management and diet in reducing risk. The episode also navigates the role of hormone therapy and hormone contraception in relation to breast cancer risk, aiming to provide a comprehensive guide on prevention strategies. The information is presented as educational and encourages listeners to maintain follow-ups with healthcare providers.
RESOURCES
All Episodes with more resources
Menopause Answers
Mini course to get started making lifestyle changes
00:00 Understanding Breast Cancer: Statistics and Risks00:24 Meet Your Host: A Journey from OB-GYN to Lifestyle Medicine04:33 Mini Medical School: Demystifying Breast Cancer09:05 Risk Factors Beyond Your Control10:11 Six Ways to Lower Your Risk for Breast Cancer15:47 Diving Deeper: The Impact of Diet and Lifestyle20:32 Conclusion: Empowerment Through Knowledge

'Tis the season to be sneezing

Seasonal Allergies: Immune System Battles and Lifestyle Medicine Solutions
In Episode 118 of 'Healthy Looks Great On You', host Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper explores the theme of seasonal allergies and the immune system. The episode delves into the high prevalence of allergies, detailing symptoms, the economic and health costs involved, and the biology behind allergic reactions. Dr. Kasper contrasts seasonal allergies with perennial allergies, discussing the impact of regional flora on allergy patterns. The podcast further discusses the role of the immune system in allergies, offering insights into lymphoid organs and the production of antibodies. The episode then transitions into lifestyle medicine, examining the relationship between allergies and lifestyle choices, including exercise, stress management, and diet. Dr. Kasper emphasizes the importance of understanding allergies from a medical standpoint and presents practical advice on managing symptoms, the potential of allergy shots, and the significance of dietary choices in mitigating allergic reactions. Additionally, the episode underscores the necessity of distinguishing allergies from infections like colds or COVID-19 and touches on the broader implications of allergic conditions on mental health and cognitive function.
RESOURCES (may contain affiliate links)
ALL episodes
Sign up to receive episodes by email
Neti pot
Mattress cover
Pillow covers
00:00 Welcome to Allergy Season: Understanding the Yellow Tint00:22 Meet Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper: From OB-GYN to Lifestyle Medicine01:15 Diving Into Seasonal Allergies: Symptoms and Suffering05:29 The Immune System 101: A Mini Medical School Session06:40 Allergy Anatomy: Exploring the Lymphoid Organs11:16 The Physiology of Allergies: How Your Body Reacts14:07 Identifying and Managing Allergies: From Symptoms to Solutions22:40 Lifestyle Medicine and Allergies: Exercise, Stress, and Diet25:44 Nutrition's Role in Allergy Management: A Deep Dive29:48 Closing Thoughts: The Importance of Medical Advice

Questions and answers about menopause and hormone therapy

Navigating Menopause: Myths, Medicine, and Lifestyle Choices
Hosted by Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper, 'Healthy Looks Great on You' delves into the complexities of menopause, debunking misconceptions and exploring symptoms, treatments, and lifestyle adjustments. Dr. Kasper, with her vast experience as an OB/GYN and her journey through health challenges, offers insights into the benefits of lifestyle medicine in preventing and treating diseases. The episode covers various facets of menopause, including hormonal changes, symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings, and the impact on women’s health post-menopause. It also touches on the concept of andropause in men. Dr. Kasper discusses the importance of diet, exercise, stress management, and social support in managing menopausal symptoms, alongside the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), guided by the latest research findings. The objective is to equip listeners with knowledge to make informed decisions about menopause management with their healthcare providers.
Resources (may contain affiliate links)
WANT MORE ANSWERS? Click here to sign up for Menopause Answers and you'll get short videos by email. 
Get all episodes by email, click here
Oscillating fan
Cooling sheets
00:00 Introduction to Menopause Misconceptions and Journey Ahead00:22 Dr. Vickie's Personal and Professional Journey01:15 Understanding Menopause: Symptoms and Experiences02:58 Navigating Perimenopause and Its Challenges04:23 Exploring Different Types of Menopause07:51 The Impact of Menopause on Health and Lifestyle12:45 Lifestyle Medicine and Coping Strategies for Menopause17:14 Addressing Men's Experience: Andropause18:11 Sexual Health and Pelvic Floor Function Post-Menopause23:28 The Science and Debate of Hormone Replacement Therapy33:59 Making Informed Decisions on Hormone Therapy36:11 Conclusion: Navigating Menopause with Knowledge

How to get started with group fitness without being intimidated

You might be surprised to learn that motivation doesn't get you very far when it comes to fitness. Learn how to get started with group fitness without being intimidated. The more you do, the more you'll want to do. Get fit and get healthy, because healthy looks great on you. 
Recommended reading: Atomic Habits

Learn the secret to reading a food nutrition label

Don't be fooled by marketing gimmicks. Learn the secret to reading a food nutrition label. It's important to understand food labels so you can make healthy choices. There's a little bit of history, and a little bit of science in this episode. Whole foods are the key to nutrients that impact health. Read a label like a pro and know how to interpret nutrition facts, ingredient lists, and all those claims on the front of the package. Then you'll go to the grocery store ready to make informed choices and not be confused by misleading claims. 
Episode 115: Mastering Food Labels for Better Health
In this episode of 'Healthy Looks Great On You', Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper dives into the intricacies of reading food labels, providing listeners with the knowledge to become savvy shoppers. She shares her personal journey from a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist to a lifestyle medicine advocate after experiencing health issues. She emphasizes the importance of a plant-based diet, informed by the recommendations of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and other health organizations, highlighting the benefits of a Mediterranean diet. Dr. Kasper discusses the history and evolution of food labeling regulations in the U.S., introduced by the FDA to help consumers make informed choices. She breaks down the standardized Nutrition Facts Panel, updated in 2016, and teaches how to interpret serving sizes, calories, and the percent daily values of nutrients, adhering to the '5-20 rule'. The episode also covers the misleading nature of front package labeling and how to scrutinize ingredient lists, ultimately guiding listeners to make healthier food choices. Dr. Kasper concludes with practical advice on navigating grocery store aisles, debunking common marketing gimmicks, and choosing foods that truly benefit one’s health.
00:00 Decoding Food Labels: A Guide to Healthy Eating00:22 Meet Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper: From OB-GYN to Lifestyle Medicine Advocate00:50 The Power of Lifestyle Medicine: Preventing, Treating, and Reversing Disease01:12 The Basics of Reading Food Labels01:36 Understanding Food Processing and Its Impact on Nutrition02:54 The Importance of Eating a Variety of Whole Foods04:05 A Brief History of Food Labeling Regulations06:50 Navigating the Nutrition Facts Panel and Ingredient List07:54 Deciphering Front Package Labeling and Marketing Claims24:31 Practical Tips for Smart Grocery Shopping25:17 Closing Remarks and Disclaimer

How to prevent and reverse type 2 diabetes

Reversing Diabetes with Lifestyle Medicine
In episode 114 of the 'Healthy Looks Great On You' podcast, titled 'Reversing Diabetes,' Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper introduces listeners to the critical issue of diabetes—specifically, type 2 diabetes—that is affecting millions of Americans, many of whom are undiagnosed. Dr. Kasper shares her personal experience with diabetes following high doses of prednisone and how it led her to discover the benefits of lifestyle medicine. The podcast delves into the causes, risk factors, and long-term effects of diabetes on health, including its link to conditions like dementia, kidney failure, and heart disease, while emphasizing that prediabetes serves as a wake-up call for prevention. Key topics include the significance of understanding glucose metabolism and insulin's role, the impact of lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, and sleep on diabetes management, and the relationship between diabetes and other health risks like obesity, family history, and stress. Dr. Kasper encourages adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet, increasing physical activity, and managing other lifestyle factors to not only prevent but potentially reverse diabetes, highlighting the power of lifestyle medicine in combating this pervasive disease. The podcast concludes with reminders that lifestyle changes are crucial and encourages listeners to subscribe for more insights on health and wellness.
RESOURCES (may contain affiliate links):
ALL EPISODES
7-Day Prescription for Change - sign up to receive podcasts by email
How Not to Die by Michael Gregor
How Not to Die Cookbook 
Blood sugar monitor
00:00 The Alarming Reality of Diabetes in America00:36 Meet Your Host: A Journey from OB-GYN to Lifestyle Medicine01:32 Understanding Diabetes: Types, Symptoms, and Risks06:31 The Science of Sugar: How Our Bodies Process Glucose10:09 Turning the Tide: Preventing and Reversing Diabetes13:30 Dietary Do's and Don'ts for Diabetes Management23:17 Exercise, Sleep, and Stress: The Other Pillars of Diabetes Control31:28 Final Thoughts: Taking Control of Your Health
 
 

Practical tips for caregivers and friends of people with dementia

Chances are, you know someone with dementia. Whether you're the caregiver, or a friend of the family, or a friend of the patient, this episode is for you. You're going to learn about some resources that you did not even know existed
that can help you keep the home safe, keep the patient safe, or just minister to your friends.
  ,  
You're listening to Healthy Looks Great On You, a lifestyle medicine podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper. For two decades, I practiced as a board certified obstetrician gynecologist, navigating the intricate world of women's health. But life took an unexpected turn when my own health faltered. 
Emerging on the other side, I discovered the transformative power of lifestyle medicine. And now I'm on a mission to share its incredible benefits with you. 
So buckle up because we're going on a journey to our own mini medical school. Where you'll learn how lifestyle medicine can help prevent, treat, and sometimes even reverse disease.  
This is episode 113, 
the Heartbreak of Caring for Someone with Dementia.  And today I have a very, very special guest. My guest today is Haley Buller.
Haley lives in Illinois where she is an occupational therapist one of the areas that she specializes in is helping with patients who have dementia. 
  Welcome, Haley. I'm so glad you're here with me today. I can't wait to talk about caring for Alzheimer's patients and also caring for the caregiver. I think that's something you have quite a passion for. 
Thanks for having me today. , yes, I am an occupational therapist, and I work in outpatient neuro. I, help run the outpatient portion of our dementia program here at our hospital.
 That's great. So tell me exactly what you do if someone has dementia and they come to your clinic. You're doing an evaluation to make sure that they're safe in the home and that they can age in place, right? 
Yes. So our primary goal is to keep them at home as long as possible and to keep them as independent as possible. So we do an assessment as an OT. I'm mainly looking at their daily activities. Can they bathe, dress, take care of themselves at home, , function within their home and then making their home. a safe environment. 
We also initially will always do a caregiver assessment. It's a caregiver burnout assessment to see how the caregiver is doing in their own life with dealing with caring for the patient.   
So I think that is super important, and honestly, there is a void in that space. Caregivers are burned out. It's a lonely disease, isolating, and really just heartbreaking. So first of all, talk about what it looks like when people are burned out, and also what you can do about it, or even how you can prevent it. 
So the main thing that I hear is loneliness,  especially if the caregiver is  caring for someone who is their spouse, because that's been their partner. They've been living life together for a long time, and then all of a sudden that person is still there, but who they are is gone. So a lot of caregivers are experiencing a deep loneliness because of this void that they have.
That was once their partner.  A lot of times their friends  isolate them as well, and that's always unintentional, but we see  people not being invited to things because  it's a lot of work to get out of the house or people stop coming over because maybe they don't know what to say.  
That's a really good point and I think it's important for us to talk about what friends can do. And you know, I think traditionally what we do is we take a meal, but we don't stay and eat.
Or we send a card, but we don't have a conversation. And so there are multiple opportunities for people to minister to their friends who are dealing with this by just being there for them. Not calling and saying, Hey, if there's anything I can ever do, give me a call, but truly continuing to do life with them. 
Yes. So there are two different approaches to look at this. And one is being there with them in the home. So just going over, this is so important for the patient as well, that you can listen to their stories, even if those stories aren't making sense, just being in their world, giving them, , some friendship and some companionship that also may allow the caregiver to have some time to themselves, some time to not listen to those stories that they've heard several times. ,  but just to give a little reprieve. The other thing you can do is to take them out. So if they have someone else who can give them an hour off, ask them to go to lunch, or like you said, take lunch and then also stay.  
 So you brought up the stories and living in their world. One time I heard someone say, fall with them. Don't try to prevent them from falling, but fall with them. Because I think the tendency is to sort of correct when someone tells something that's not true, or if they're trying to tell a story that's really not plausible. 
 And you want to say, no, no, you're at home, you're not at the store, or whatever. And so, can you talk a little bit about that? 
This is an area that I am so passionate about. Whether someone has a cognitive disability or a physical disability, as we age, the one thing that's in common with all human nature is we want to preserve our dignity. We want to still be ourselves and we want to have something to give. So the thing we want to avoid doing is correcting, ,  to make someone feel belittled because  early on, especially in the diseases, , of dementia and Alzheimer's,  they're a little bit aware that something is going on. They have some awareness that they have this diagnosis, that their memory or their functions are slipping. And so they want to hang on to who they are and their dignity.
  It's interesting that you would say that because yesterday I was in Bible study and we were studying 1 Timothy and how to take care of widows and one of the things that it said is that you need to meet their needs. And I spoke up and said one of their needs is to have purpose. But how do you see that playing out in a practical way with patients who have dementia? 
It really depends on the stage. So early on,  people want to still have something to offer. So even asking advice when maybe that advice you take lightly is so important or things that they've always worked on or that they're an expert in. So take someone who  you mentioned Bible study, you know, knows the Bible well, continuing to ask them about those things.
Hey, tell me what you think this verse means, or tell me what, uh, you know, about the story of David. And just asking them a thing that they're an expert in so that they still feel like they have something to contribute  Later on that looks a little different because communication is different. So, even a stuffed animal or a baby doll later on, it might look like giving that to them and making them responsible for that or a puzzle or just something to hold so that this is what I want you to keep up with for today. Anything to do with their hands can be helpful. 
  That's beautiful. And I know that your grandmother had a sister who had Alzheimer's and she would go and visit her in the nursing home and just sing hymns to her sister. And her sister really couldn't do anything else, but when she started singing those hymns, she would join in. And I think that's just a beautiful way to connect with someone. 
It's amazing. Just as a side note in my experience,  I have seen people sing hymns  and pray long after I thought that they shouldn't be able to anymore. And it's really a beautiful thing to see and hear.  
It is. I feel like they're just reaching deep into the recesses of their mind and the things that are deep in their soul and it's really touching. But let's talk about home safety. I mean, we can't ignore the fact that sometimes people don't need to be driving or if they're at risk for falling in the home.
How do you go about evaluating home safety? 
Sometimes I will go into the home. , the first thing I always do with patients is to talk about,  or with caregivers rather, is to always talk about the unsafe things in the home. So we start at that very top level of guns, knives, what could be weaponized in the home. Even if you're not to a point where you think that the, the patient, will use those inappropriately start early, get a safe, get them out of the house. Whatever has to be done.  The 2nd thing we would look at would be things.  That are a fall hazard, so simplifying the layout of the house, what furniture can be  moved to make a walkway wider. If the person shuffles their feet, making sure we pull up throw rugs.  , as a side note, and I think someone mentioned this in a comment on the Facebook post,  sometimes throw rugs can  seem like a black hole.
So any kind of surface change can really throw someone off. So the less, , The less surface changes throughout the home, the easier it's going to be for that person to navigate, , the floors.  
The problem is people love their throw rugs. People never want to get rid of throw rugs, right? 
That's right. You, , mentioned my grandmother earlier. , I tried to simplify her home at one point in time. And the next time I went over, she had a throw rug on top of a throw rug. So you just never know, but we can do our best.    Another thing I want to mention is a lot of. dementia and Alzheimer's patients have visual perceptual issues. So some kind of visual perceptual deficit, whether that be, , a visual scanning. So just being able to look, think of your pantry shelf. Can you look back and forth across the shelf and find what you're looking for? , it can also be a depth perception, , or something like a visual memory.  Something that can help is again to declutter. So if you're looking in a drawer, only putting what is necessary and maybe that top drawer so that they can find things more easily, you can also do a high contrast background. So making sure there's a, if it's a white object, putting it on a dark background, Or vice versa, 
 Wow, who knew there was so much medicine and science to taking care of just the home environment. I think after this episode, everybody's going to want you to come to their house and help out. And I think we need a service, you know, where you could take an iPad around and show people the home and have a full home evaluation to make sure that it's safe. 
That's something to consider for sure.  
 Anything else for home safety? Do you recommend things like a life alert type device? 
Yes. So going back a little bit, we were talking about kind of the different stages and how care looks different in those different stages. While we don't want to call someone out for their mistakes, those early stages, we definitely want to keep them as oriented as possible. So orientation daily is important. And what I have recommended in the past is something like an Alexa or a Siri  that you could ask the date. So if you have an Alexa in your home, you can say,  Hey Alexa,  what is today?  And she'll tell you, or you can say, what do I have on my schedule today? And she'll tell you.  Siri and Alexa also have capabilities to call a caregiver. So if you were  to fall and need to call a caregiver, Those devices can be helpful for that later on. I would definitely recommend the life alert.  It's easier. , it can detect a fall.  It can be pushed  in an emergency and those are great devices, 
 You know, an Apple Watch has that feature as well, and if you fall and you have service on your watch, it can call 911. 
Which is also nice early on because a lot of people don't want to look old. Let's be honest, in an age of Botox and, , hair dye, no one wants to look old. And the life alert from the commercials of, help, I've fallen and can't get up, , we think of that as elderly. So the Apple Watch can be a really nice, , younger person  device.
 Yes, I think it has the connotation of not only elderly, but just the dependents. You know, if I've lost my independence and now I have to have a device in case I can't get up by myself. 
yes. The Apple Watch also has,  GPS capabilities. So if you're worried about someone getting lost  and someone not carrying their phone with them all the time,  the watch can be a nice option.
 Yeah, and the phone has tracking devices, so you can share your location. And I wanted to mention something I think is important for everyone, not just people with dementia. You can go into the health app on your phone, it looks like a little heart on an Apple phone, and enter all of your health information there.
And you can put in there, dementia as a diagnosis, and you can put all of the medications. And then if there's an accident or any kind of emergency. When emergency personnel come, they can actually open that app, if you set it, right, without having to use the unlock feature on your phone, so then they can have access to understand all of your medical history.  
You make a good point there too. We think a lot about what happens if something happens to the person with dementia. But another thing with home safety that we have to talk about is what happens if something happens to the caregiver,  if something happens, , can the patient figure out how to call, is there an emergency button like the life alert that they could push, , or is your information somewhere so that when emergency services come, they don't have to rely on the person with dementia. To give your history and your contact information. 
There's so much to think about. It's almost like you need a handbook that starts at the very beginning and walks you through every step because there are so many facets of life that are affected at different times and in different places and have different needs.
It's part of the reason I think that this disease is so very challenging for caregivers. 
What I would say when someone is early diagnosed  is  find support.  It is not  a taboo disease. So it's okay to talk with your close friends. It's okay to talk with your church family or your blood family as well to talk with them, let them know what's going on, be open about it. And that will allow for a lot better communication, a lot better teamwork moving forward. The other thing is support groups. , some people don't like support groups. And so online has become a great resource, whether that's through Facebook  or finding other online groups, , finding community support groups. Support is so important. 
 
It is important, but it really isn't that easy. I mean, you may tell your church, and you may tell your friends, and your family, and honestly, you may be disappointed. I think when I was sick with a rare disease, I needed people who understood what I was going through. And I found really great support in Facebook groups.
And so, you know, we talk about how social connection  in social media doesn't take the place of in person connection, but when you have a common experience or diagnosis that brings you together and you're truly engaged with those groups, it's actually very good for your mental health. 
And the caregiver just needs as many resources as they can get, and unfortunately, there aren't as many support groups and support programs as we need. 
Another barrier would be being able to leave and go to this support group. So  online groups can be accessed anytime. And. they're they're a great option. 
That's true, because if you're going to a support group meeting, who's going to take care of your loved one who has dementia? And if you do have someone to take care of your loved one with dementia, wouldn't you rather go to lunch?  
And let's talk about driving. 
Oh, driving. , 
this is something that I do in my practice. So, an occupational therapy referral can be a good place to start.  In my practice, I do off road driving assessments. So, I go through a battery of tests as well as using a driving simulator to figure out Are there any red flags for driving? , I do not get behind the wheel with a patient, nor do I really want to, but there are occupational therapists who are driving rehab specialists and will get in the car with someone and see, are they really safe to drive?  , so an OT can be a great starting point because we can do a screen and then what we will typically do is ask the family member or the caregiver to do supervised drives.  If we don't see any red flags,  , one thing I will look for is I always try to watch the caregiver's face while I'm doing  off road driving assessments to see, do they have concerns? Do I need to maybe look a little deeper into the cognition? , Also, you can feel free to send your provider, whether that's a therapist or your doctor,  a message or give them a phone call ahead of time.  Let the medical professional be the bad guy. I know in my practice, I am happy to tell someone they can't drive so that it preserves the relationship with their caregiver.  
That's a big deal, taking away someone's privilege to drive. But it's important not only for their safety, but for the safety of others on the road. Even strangers and other people with their family and their children that may be in the car. It's a huge deal. 
So some things to watch for would first be  if they're getting lost, that's a big one, but also  taking a look at the car regularly. Usually, as someone is starting to lose their ability to drive, there will be unexplained scratches, unexplained dents, evidence that they might be having some trouble.
 I think a lot of people don't realize the resource that you are. I would imagine that referrals to an occupational therapist for people with dementia are terribly underutilized. 
Thankfully, in our hospital system, we have a great program  because it has been funded by a family. And we have really good education to our neurologist, but I would guess that in the grand scheme of things, you're right, that it is underutilized.  
You know, I think a lot of people don't even see a neurologist. I think a lot of people just see their family practice doctor who may or may not understand the benefits of medication and the need for evaluation and support and education. And I imagine the average family practice doctor doesn't have the connections or the resources that you're providing.
And that just leaves people more on an island, trying to navigate this all by themselves. And it's, it's sad really. It's a tragedy that we don't have more support networks. And I think you're bringing up a good point that someone funded your program. And we can always give back out of the struggles we've been through.
If something has affected you or your family, sometimes that's just an opportunity to increase awareness. If you don't have money to fund a program like that, Then start your own support group or if you can be an advocate for education and connecting others with resources. 
you mentioned being an advocate, advocate for that neurology referral. There are memory clinics all over the country. I know there's one in Little Rock close to you  And one here in Illinois, that's about an hour from where I live. , but there are memory specific neurologist out there.
You just may have to ask for it, look it up and advocate for that referral.
 That's really good advice, and I think it's super important.
Wow, I think there's so much more we could talk about, about all of this. And I'm just going to encourage anyone that's listening to this to connect with others who are dealing with the same issue. On my Facebook page, there's been a lot of discussion and several people have chimed in that their loved ones have had dementia.
And sometimes it's a grandfather who's already passed away and sometimes it's a spouse that they're currently caring for. But when people are just in the throes of it, If you're one that's on the other side of it, be there for those people who are still in the middle of it. Because I think connection is super important, and I just really commend the work that you're doing, and I think there's such a need for this, 
and I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to talk to our listeners about it. 
Thank you for having me.
People have shared a couple of resources with me, so I'm going to put some helpful links in the show notes. Check it out.  
the information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not considered to be a substitute for medical advice. You should continue to follow up with your physician or healthcare provider and take medication as prescribed. Though the information in this podcast is evidence based, new research may develop and recommendations may change. 
Show notes and Resources (*may contain affiliate links)
Alzheimer's support groups
Alexa Echo show
Alexa Dot
Apple watch
Coach Broyles Playbook on Alzheimer's
The 36 hour day planning guide
Mobile Medical alert device
All episodes of Healthy Looks Great on You
 
00:00 Introduction to Dementia Care and Resources00:28 Meet Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper: From OB-GYN to Lifestyle Medicine Advocate01:16 Special Guest Haley Buller: A Deep Dive into Dementia Care02:37 Understanding Caregiver Burnout and How to Support Them04:21 Embracing the World of Dementia Patients: Compassion and Connection08:36 Home Safety and Adaptation for Dementia Patients11:46 Leveraging Technology for Safety and Orientation15:27 The Importance of Support Networks and Advocacy17:25 Driving Assessments and Safety Considerations19:31 Expanding Access to Dementia Care and Support21:59 Closing Thoughts and Resources