Steve and Virginia sit down with Andrea Hughes, a dedicated caregiver whose mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Featured in the PBS documentary Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s, Andrea shares her personal journey navigating the challenges of caregiving at a young age, balancing work and family responsibilities, and finding strength through community and storytelling. To learn more, visit the PBS documentary page, follow Andrea on Instagram @itsandreakrystal, and explore her work at candidcaregiverscollective.com.

Steve and Virginia explore the vital role that geriatricians play in diagnosing and managing dementia and other cognitive symptoms in older adults. The co-hosts are joined by Valerie George, a certified physician assistant with UCI Health, and Sonia Sehgal, MD, a board-certified geriatrician and internist with UCI Health, who discuss how geriatric care should take a whole-person approach—addressing cognitive impairment, chronic conditions, and social factors while actively involving caregivers. Valerie and Dr. Sehgal explain the difference between geriatricians and gerontologists, share their experiences supporting families, and highlight the benefits of seeking an early diagnosis and team-based care. Together, they emphasize the importance of compassionate, proactive support for both patients and caregivers throughout the aging journey.

In this episode, Steve and Virginia explore the emotional and practical differences between caring for a parent versus a spouse with dementia. Virginia emphasizes the role reversal and challenges of managing her mother’s daily needs and finances, while Steve opens up about the loss of companionship and adapting intimacy in his relationship with his wife, Patty. They discuss the importance of communication with family members, the struggle of accepting help, and the emotional weight of caregiving tasks. Their conversation highlights the complexities of long-term caregiving and the importance of maintaining connection, patience, and open dialogue throughout the journey.