In this heartfelt episode, Laura speaks with Rick Henkin, a spouse-turned-caregiver whose wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at age 65. Rick shares his powerful story of navigating the emotional toll of caregiving, learning acceptance, and discovering how to care for himself so he could better care for his wife. From humor and heartbreak to practical wisdom, Rick offers a moving look at what it truly means to show up with love, even in the face of dementia.

Rick Henkin is a family caregiver and advocate who began his caregiving journey when his wife, Sonya, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2020. In response to the emotional challenges of caregiving, he launched the Facebook group For Family Caregivers: Eliminate Stress, Anger, and Guilt and developed the Caregiver Mastery course to help others find peace, presence, and emotional resilience. Rick brings humor, insight, and hope to a journey many walk alone.

• Recognizing the early signs of dementia and navigating diagnosis
• The emotional impact of Capgras Syndrome and memory care transitions
• How Rick reframed caregiving through mindset and self-care
• The importance of acceptance, humor, and being present
• Male caregivers and the unique challenges they face
• How Rick supports other caregivers through community and education

00:00 – Introduction and Rick’s story

05:40 – Receiving the Alzheimer’s diagnosis

11:15 – Capgras Syndrome and emotional toll

17:00 – Realizations about the burden of caregiving

22:30 – Launching his Facebook group and course

29:45 – Choosing memory care and building relationships with staff

40:00 – What it’s like now having Sonya back at home

49:20 – Humor as a survival tool

56:00 – Male caregivers, mindset, and emotional regulation

1:04:30 – Rick’s advice for caregivers and the importance of community

• Caregiver stress is often more about your reaction than your loved one’s behavior
• Acceptance of the disease is key to finding peace
• Humor can be a powerful tool in difficult moments
• Taking care of yourself is essential to being a good caregiver
• Male caregivers need community and emotional support too
• You don’t have to believe every thought—mindset can be changed

• Rick’s Facebook group: For Family Caregivers: Eliminate Stress, Anger, and Guilt
• Rick’s course: caregivermasterycourse.com
• Journal of the American Medical Association caregiver risk study
• Quote by Maya Angelou: “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
• Quote by Wayne Dyer: “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

• 🌐 Website: caregivermasterycourse.com
• 📧 Email: rick@forfamilycaregivers.com
• 💬 Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/forfamilycaregivers

• 🎙 Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
• 📸 Instagram: @lifeonrepeatpodcast
• 📘 Facebook: Life on Repeat...

In this powerful new episode, Laura speaks with Dr. Lama Sibai and Alice Allen-Redfern, co-founders of Magnolia, about the GUIDE Program — a revolutionary new Medicare pilot project that provides comprehensive, wraparound support to people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Dr. Sibai and Alice break down how the program works, who qualifies, and why this signals a major shift in how our healthcare system acknowledges and supports caregivers. Whether you're a family caregiver, healthcare professional, or someone navigating a new dementia diagnosis, this episode is full of crucial information and real hope.

Dr. Lama Sibai is a clinical neuropsychologist based in Seattle, WA. She specializes in the diagnosis and care of individuals with dementia and movement disorders. Dr. Sibai is a co-founder of Magnolia and a fierce advocate for caregiver education, equity in dementia care, and systems-level change.

Alice Allen-Redfern is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in older adults, caregiving, and palliative care. She co-founded Magnolia to address the urgent need for better caregiver support. Alice is a national expert on the new GUIDE Program and is helping families across Washington access these life-changing services.

• What the GUIDE Program is and why it's a game-changer
• Why caregiver support is essential and often overlooked
• Who qualifies for the program and how to apply
• The 9 pillars of the GUIDE Program and what families receive
• How Magnolia is building bridges between healthcare and community support
• Why dementia care must include emotional, logistical, and medical support
• The ripple effects of a dementia diagnosis on families
• The importance of flexibility, education, and advocacy in care planning
• How the GUIDE Program empowers families to remain at home longer
• The emotional toll of caregiving and the urgent need for burnout prevention

00:00 – Introduction to the episode

01:10 – Meet Dr. Lama Sibai and Alice Allen-Redfern

03:15 – The mission behind Magnolia

06:20 – What is the GUIDE Program?

12:55 – Who qualifies and how the program works

19:40 – Breaking down the 9 pillars of GUIDE

27:18 – Why caregiver support is essential

32:10 – How families can find participating GUIDE providers

37:22 – Emotional support, planning, and caregiver identity

45:50 – What makes Magnolia’s team unique

49:30 – The importance of a collaborative, flexible care model

55:45 – How GUIDE supports in-home and long-term care transitions

1:02:00 – Respite benefits and emotional care

1:07:10 – Final thoughts and gratitude

• GUIDE is an 8-year Medicare pilot program offering wraparound care for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
• The program includes monthly check-ins, care planning, respite benefits, and emotional and medical support — all covered by Medicare.
• Magnolia's care model bridges the gap between clinical care and real-life support, prioritizing the whole family’s wellbeing.
• Caregivers are viewed as experts and essential partners in the care team.
• The GUIDE Program recognizes that aging and dementia care require a coordinated, compassionate approach.
• Even those in assisted living or adult family homes can qualify — this program is designed to meet people where they are.

• Magnolia:

In this inspiring episode, Laura sits down with Marisa Payne, certified brain and cognitive health coach and dementia care consultant, to dive into the powerful Dementia Connection Model. Together, they explore how sensory-based strategies, cognitive behavioral theory, and structured daily engagement can transform life for both caregivers and individuals living with dementia.

Whether you're a family caregiver, a healthcare professional, or simply someone looking to better understand dementia care, this episode is filled with practical tools and hope for deeper connection and better quality of life.

👤 Meet Marisa Payne:

Marisa Payne is a credentialed brain and cognitive health coach, Dementia Connection Specialist Certified Trainer, and dementia care consultant. With over a decade of experience — and a lifetime of personal connection to elder care — she’s passionate about empowering caregivers with evidence-based, compassionate tools that prioritize both caregiver well-being and dignity for those living with dementia.

📌 Topics Discussed:

- Marissa’s journey growing up alongside elders and how it shaped her passion for dementia care

- What the Dementia Connection Model is and how it works

- How cognitive behavioral theory can be applied in dementia caregiving

- The power of sensory-based engagement (sound, scent, touch) to create connection and calm

- Practical examples from the “Perfect Day” framework caregivers can use daily

- Why preserving the dignity, autonomy, and emotional safety of people with dementia matters

- How caregivers can feel less isolated and more empowered

- How evidence-based training supports both family caregivers and professionals

⏱️ Timestamps (Approximate):

00:00 – Welcome and meeting Marisa Payne

02:00 – Marisa’s story: Growing up in a home with elders

07:00 – The link between childhood experiences and dementia care passion

10:00 – Introduction to the Dementia Connection Model

14:30 – How cognitive behavioral theory applies to dementia

19:00 – The role of sensory engagement (music, scent, touch)

25:00 – Examples of building a “Perfect Day” for someone with dementia

30:30 – How this model works in home care vs. facility care

35:00 – How caregivers can lower their own stress with structure

39:00 – Breaking the myth: People living with dementia can still learn

43:30 – How evidence-based tools build real hope for caregivers

50:00 – Resources for getting trained or learning more

💡 Key Takeaways:

- Caregivers can lower stress and improve quality of life using sensory-based routines

- Even with dementia, individuals can still learn — just differently

- Evidence-based tools like the Dementia Connection Model offer hope, not just help

- Small daily changes (like music and scent) can create powerful emotional shifts

- Supporting caregivers' well-being is essential to better dementia care

📚 Resources Mentioned:

The Dementia Connection Institute – Explore training options and resources

The Busy Caregiver’s Guide to Advanced Alzheimer’s Disease by Dr. Jennifer Stelter

In Pursuit of Wellness – Marissa Payne’s consulting and support services

🤝 Connect with Marisa Payne:

Website: InPursuitofWellness.com

🌿 Connect with Laura Vaillancourt & the Life on Repeat Podcast:

Website: https://lifeonrepeatpodcast.com

Instagram: @lifeonrepeatpodcast

Facebook: Life on Repeat Podcast

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeonRepeatPodcast

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