The Struggles of the Caregiver, the Search for a Cure: Two Responses to Alzheimer’s with Professor Eitan Okun & Simon McDermott

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The Struggles of the Caregiver, the Search for a Cure: Two Responses to Alzheimer’s with Professor Eitan Okun & Simon McDermott

Alzheimer’s disease is often called the silent killer because symptoms seem to appear out of nowhere and family members often remain quiet about the upheaval in the family dynamic. The search for a cure remains elusive to researchers because the exact cause of the disease is unknown.

Steadfast Alzheimer’s researcher, Professor Eitan Okun shares information about the factors which may lead to Alzheimer’s disease as well as prevention and treatment tactics.

And, Author Simon McDermott shares his first-hand experience of how his father’s sudden shift affected his family and the joyful, viral video that created a community for other struggling caregivers.

Original Air Date Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

Tune in:

Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio · The Struggles of the Caregiver, the Search for a Cure: Two Responses to Alzheimer’s

Meet Our Guests:

Professor Eitan Okun has been a ‘lifer’ at Bar Ilan University in Ramat Gan, Israel, having earned his master’s and doctorate in immunology there. His master’s research analyzed how stress can affect a person’s immunity to various diseases. For his doctorate, he concentrated on the immune system – specifically how different nodes in our immune system respond to various threats.

While Alzheimer’s is Dr. Okun’s primary focus, he is also conducting studies in other areas. In 2015, he received a grant from the Michael J. Fox Foundation to help look for Parkinson’s disease in an MRI.

Professor Eitan Okun — The Search for a Cure:

Professor Okun discusses his research in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s, environmental risk factors, and the genetic factors which may lead to Alzheimer’s disease. {2:43}
Is there a promising vaccine to treat Alzheimer’s disease in a targeted population? {7:03}
The genetic, geographical, and lifestyle management practices that may play a part in the prevention of disease. {15:04}

The Struggles of the Caregiver, the Search for a Cure: Two Responses to

Simon “Mac” McDermott is the son of club singer Teddy Mac – ‘The Songaminute Man’. In 2013, Ted developed Alzheimer’s Disease which made him violent and aggressive. After receiving support from the Alzheimer’s Society, Simon decided to raise money on their behalf, as well as share his Dad’s voice with the world. He recorded videos of his father singing in the car and uploaded them to Facebook.

A viral sensation overnight with over 60 million views worldwide, they’ve also raised over 200 thousand dollars.

Book: The Song a Minute Man: A Tribute to the Unbreakable Bond Between Father and Son

Simon McDermott — The Struggles of the Caregiver:

Simon was frightened by his father’s sudden aggressiveness which seemed to come out of nowhere. {26:53}
How Simon created a fundraising phenomenon by taking his dad to a place of joy. {29:01}
Simon’s journey mirrors that of other caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients from all over the world {31:28}
Decca Records offered Teddy Mac an opportunity to record a charity single after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. {39:03}

Follow Simon McDermott:

Shareables:

“Alzheimer’s disease is being hidden out of sight for several decades before it appears as clinical symptoms.” — Prof. Eitan Okun Share on X “You need to have a combination of factors that are both genetic and environmental in order to have full-blown Alzheimer’s disease.” — Prof. Eitan Okun Share on X “You realize how quickly things can change and how loved ones can suddenly disappear and how life is really short.” @SongaMinute Share on X “Everything material disappears but it’s the feelings that remain.” @SongaMinute Share on X

Grab More Joy Below:

Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now?

H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day.