Episode 56: How Caregiving in Dementia and Elder Care Changes When You Replace Apology With Leadership

Episode 56: How Caregiving in Dementia and Elder Care Changes When You Replace Apology With Leadership

Are you constantly saying sorry while navigating caregiving for a loved one with dementia, even when you’re just asking for help? If you’ve ever felt guilty walking into a hospital, unsure if your concerns are “serious enough,” or found yourself minimizing real safety issues with an apology, this episode speaks directly to you. Caregiving is already complex—layering guilt and self-doubt on top of it makes it even harder to get the support you actually need. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. How letting go of unnecessary apologies can help you advocate more effectively in caregiving situations 2. Why behavioral and mental health changes in dementia are valid reasons to seek immediate support 3. How to use hospital resources (like case managers and social workers) to create safer, sustainable care plans If you want to feel more confident, supported, and clear in your caregiving journey with dementia, this episode will show you how to move forward without guilt. Listen now to start replacing apology with clarity, confidence, and the support you deserve. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ [https://drmoniquenugent.com/] Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources [https://drmoniquenugent.com/shop/] Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself [https://mnugent.kartra.com/page/vzI1] Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/the_happiest_hospitalist/] ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/drmoniquenugent/] ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquenugent-mdmph/] ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.MoniqueS.Nugent] ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmoniquenugent] Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

#18 - Quick Tip: Does Your Care Team Miss Delirium During Hospitalization & Call It Dementia? Fix This Now

Have you noticed your loved one suddenly becoming confused during a hospitalization and been told it’s just dementia? If you’re navigating a hospital stay with someone you care about, understanding the difference between delirium and dementia could completely change how quickly they get the care they need. Sudden confusion isn’t something to brush off, it’s often a medical emergency hiding in plain sight. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. How to quickly recognize delirium vs dementia during hospitalization 2. The most common medical triggers behind sudden confusion 3. What to ask your care team to ensure there’s a clear plan to treat delirium Listen now to learn how to spot delirium early and advocate for the right care during hospitalization. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ [https://drmoniquenugent.com/] Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources [https://drmoniquenugent.com/shop/] Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself [https://mnugent.kartra.com/page/vzI1] Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/the_happiest_hospitalist/] ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/drmoniquenugent/] ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquenugent-mdmph/] ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.MoniqueS.Nugent] ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmoniquenugent] Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

#17 - Quick Tip: How Hospital-Associated Cognitive Decline Impacts Brain Health & Triggers Delirium in Older Adults

Are hospital stays quietly causing long-term damage to brain health in older adults? If you’ve ever noticed a loved one seem more confused, forgetful, or “not quite the same” after a hospital stay, you’re not imagining it. Hospital-associated cognitive decline is more common than people realize, and it’s often misunderstood or mistaken for dementia or delirium in older adults. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. How to recognize the early signs of hospital-associated cognitive decline and distinguish it from delirium and dementia 2. Practical, hospital-tested strategies to protect brain health during and after a hospital stay 3. What to ask healthcare providers to reduce risk and support a stronger cognitive recovery Tune in now to learn how to safeguard brain health and help your loved ones recover stronger after hospitalization. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ [https://drmoniquenugent.com/] Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources [https://drmoniquenugent.com/shop/] Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself [https://mnugent.kartra.com/page/vzI1] Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/the_happiest_hospitalist/] ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/drmoniquenugent/] ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquenugent-mdmph/] ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.MoniqueS.Nugent] ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmoniquenugent] Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

Episode 53: How To Navigate Stroke Recovery as a Caregiver By Working With the Right Stroke Team

Are you prepared to recognize a stroke and step into the caregiver role within minutes? When a stroke strikes, everything changes instantly, and many caregivers are left trying to make critical decisions without a clear roadmap. This episode breaks down exactly what happens inside the hospital, who’s involved in the stroke team, and how you can better navigate recovery from day one. You’ll walk away knowing: 1. How to quickly identify stroke symptoms using BE FAST so you can act without hesitation 2. What each member of the stroke team does, and how they directly impact recovery outcomes 3. How to confidently step into the caregiver role and plan for a safer, smoother transition home Listen now to understand stroke care from the inside out, so you can respond faster, advocate better, and support recovery with clarity. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ [https://drmoniquenugent.com/] Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources [https://drmoniquenugent.com/shop/] Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself [https://mnugent.kartra.com/page/vzI1] Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/the_happiest_hospitalist/] ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/drmoniquenugent/] ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquenugent-mdmph/] ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.MoniqueS.Nugent] ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmoniquenugent] Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

#16 - Quick Tip: Opiates! The Surprising Hospital Risk Many Dementia Caregivers Don't See Coming

Are your pain control choices in the hospital quietly increasing the risk of confusion/delirium—especially with opiates? Pain isn’t always obvious, and when it’s missed or mismanaged, it can show up as agitation or confusion/delirium. At the same time, common pain control methods—particularly opiates—can worsen mental clarity, especially for older adults or those with underlying conditions. Understanding this balance can help you or your loved one avoid unnecessary complications during a hospital stay. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. How pain control and untreated pain both contribute to confusion/delirium, and how to recognize the difference 2. When opiates are helpful vs. harmful, and how to reduce risks while still managing pain effectively 3. Practical, safer alternatives to opiates for pain control you can discuss with the care team Tune in to learn how to approach pain control in a way that protects both comfort and clarity during hospitalization. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ [https://drmoniquenugent.com/] Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources [https://drmoniquenugent.com/shop/] Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself [https://mnugent.kartra.com/page/vzI1] Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/the_happiest_hospitalist/] ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/drmoniquenugent/] ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquenugent-mdmph/] ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.MoniqueS.Nugent] ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmoniquenugent] Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.