Life After Loss: Sue Fagalde Lick's Journey After Caregiving

Welcome back to the podcast where we share the powerful stories of those who have been impacted by Alzheimer's and dementia. In this episode, Christy and Marianne sit down with Sue Fagalde Lick, a remarkable poet, author, musician, and dog lover from the Oregon coast. Sue shares her deeply moving story of caring for her husband, Fred, throughout their Alzheimer’s journey until his passing. We dive into Sue's earlier work, Childless by Marriage, and explore her latest writings on widowhood and life after dementia, including her poetry anthologies and newly published memoir,  No Way Out of This: Loving a Partner with Alzheimer’s, which beautifully intertwines the romance and challenges of life with Fred. Sue opens up about the support she unexpectedly received from friends, the therapeutic value of writing, and the importance of maintaining agency and preparedness as a caregiver. Sue's candor about the hardships of caregiving in a rural area, the emotional impact of rehoming pets, and the solace she finds in music and community will resonate deeply with listeners.  We also discuss the creation of our new anthology, Poetry for the Dementia Journey, for which Sue volunteered to serve as editor and formatter.  Join us for a heartfelt conversation that highlights resilience, love, and the importance of support systems in the caregiving journey. Key Takeaways Living Through Dementia TwiceCoping with a Spouse’s Alzheimer'sEmbracing the Caregiver RoleThe Difficulties of Relocating for Medical CareThe Healing Power of Writing The Role of Pets in Caregiving and Therapy Learn more about Sue at AlzAuthors.com Connect with Sue Website Blog Facebook author page Twitter Can I do It Alone? on Substack Purchase Sue’s books No Way Out of This Gravel Road Ahead Childless by Marriage Blue Chip Stamp Guitar Dining Alfresco with My Dog About the Hosts Marianne Sciucco Christy Byrne Yates About the Podcast AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please donate here. Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here. Thanks for listening. We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network Find us on The World Podcast Network and babyboomer.org Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know We've got merch! Shop our Store Purchase our new anthology, Poetry for the Dementia Journey