Eldercare is often over-medicalized and approached as a service in long-term and late-life care facilities. But, this method of care can stunt the mental faculties of those whose cognitive abilities are waning. Stories from more mature family members can ripen the lives of younger members of our families and society as a whole. So, why aren’t preventative measures and creative solutions common in the realm of elder care? To better understand the cognitive process of aging, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two doctors who strive to maintain mental wellbeing in their aging patients. Dr. Dan Gibbs is a retired neurologist with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease who describes key learnings from his book A Tattoo on my Brain: A Neurologist's Personal Battle against Alzheimer's Disease. And English Professor, Dr. Anne Basting describes her work in reimagining late-life and long-term care based on a creative approach as detailed in her book, Creative Care: A Revolutionary Approach to Dementia and Elder Care.

About Lisa’s guests:

Daniel Gibbs is a retired neurologist in Portland, Oregon, with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Having spent twenty-five years caring for patients, many with dementia themselves, he is now an active advocate for the early recognition and management of Alzheimer’s.

Book: A Tattoo on my Brain: A Neurologist's Personal Battle against Alzheimer's Disease

Anne Bastings Ph.D. is a Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee where she teaches storytelling and community engagement. Basting has spoken or been featured in the PBS documentary Penelope, the TED MED stage, and NPR's All Things Considered.

Book: Creative Care: A Revolutionary Approach to Dementia and ElderCare