An Amazing Healthcare Recovery, a Real-Life Story

Join us for us for a follow up discussion with Ginger Smith (scroll down for the first discussion in 2023), a 86 year old retired Speech Language Pathologist who spent two years bedridden in a nursing home. Ginger showed a variety of symptoms including (aphasia, hallucinating, Lewy Body Dementia, and more). She was placed on hospice where all of her medications were withdrawn when she slowly started to recover. Ginger is now living independently at home and eager to share her experience with caregiving both as a care partner and person with lived experiences who has survived.

Steve Gurney interviews Ginger Smith, a woman who has experienced dementia and made a remarkable recovery. Ginger shares her story of being diagnosed with dementia, living in a nursing home, and being on hospice before eventually recovering and living independently. She discusses the challenges she faced, including medication sensitivity and behavioral symptoms, as well as the support she received from caregivers, church groups, and community organizations. Ginger also talks about her use of lucid dreaming to manage her hallucinations and the importance of accepting help and support. She emphasizes the need for caregivers to understand and adapt to the world of individuals with dementia and shares her mission to help others through her story.  

Chat Transcript

12:15:43     From Tracee Garner  to  Hosts and panelists : 0

12:20:53     From purushottam sharma : Congratulations Ginger! Wish you continued health. I have a question who do you want to credit this recovery most the almighty including doctors, family, self determination the most?

12:24:17     From Katya De Luisa : Loss of executive function happens very early and the person begins making very bad decisions.

12:24:39     From Katya De Luisa : Ginger is an amazing story.

12:24:41     From karen brutsche  to  Hosts and panelists : It would be interesting to have her doctor’s on with her to explain why the medications affecting her that way and why their removal turned into Ginger’s success story.

12:26:10     From Katya De Luisa : I agree

12:27:09     From Katya De Luisa : Ginger could you mention the times you were conscious of the fact you were mistreating caregivers, and aware of it but couldn't stop.

12:27:33     From Tracee Garner  to  Hosts and panelists : Can you talk about some of the support that you have around you that helped you, and it maybe even some that hindered you a little bit as far as making progress or encouraging you to keep fighting or to give up?

12:38:39     From Elisabeth Green : which church assisted you?

12:40:38     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Dementia Action Alliance https://daanow.org/

12:41:05     From Katya De Luisa : I'd like that copy also

12:41:20     From Darlene Christy : This is such an amazing story, Ginger. Thank you for sharing this!

12:42:26     From Darlene Christy : Yes, I was just thinking of pharmacist Delon Canterbury.

12:44:06     From Dana Ferri  to  Hosts and panelists : As Ginger’s friend, I can attest to her amazing spirit and energy.  She is sharp as a tack and so funny!  I’m so glad she shared her story here.

12:44:25     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : What is learned helplessness? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325355

12:44:41     From Katya De Luisa : Sounds like early on she was medication sensitive. I'm also medication sensitive and doctors refused to acknowlege this exists.

12:46:24     From Katya De Luisa : Can Ginger discuss a little about her feelings with dementia especially at the end. So often caregivers believe they are gone when they can no longer communicate.

12:48:01     From Dana Ferri  to  Hosts and panelists : Love you too, Ginger!

12:48:33     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : http://www.standrews.org/

12:49:59     From Dana Ferri  to  Hosts and panelists : Thank you!

12:52:29     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : You (Yes, You) Can Learn To Lucid Dream With These Techniques and Tricks From Dream Analysts

https://www.wellandgood.com/lucid-dream-techniques/

12:52:43     From Mona Hamoui  to  Hosts and panelists : Hey Steve -just for your info, no need to use my name Martin Seligman is a psychologist He co-authored the book Learned Helplessness

12:52:52     From Katya De Luisa : Does Ginger believe that if lucid dreaming was taught early in symptoms it would help those with dementia manage their symptoms.

12:53:58     From Katya De Luisa : So agree with you on life without filters can be creative and beautiful.

12:54:50     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Martin Seligman is a psychologist He co-authored the book Learned Helplessness https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/people/martin-ep-seligman

12:55:05     From Katya De Luisa : Love your honesty. Don't be embarrassed at all.

12:56:51     From Kris O’Keefe : I know and live Teepa Snow!

12:56:59     From Vienna Peterson : Ginger, you're very blessed to have the ability to have changed your path. I recently was involved in a hospice situation with a friend who got well. She went against the medical plan & returned to aging in place against her children's wishes.

12:57:04     From Mona Hamoui : I'm wondering how common Ginger's case is?

12:57:48     From anne rush : is this just starting

12:58:42     From anne rush : im eastern standard time

12:59:02     From Dana Ferri  to  Hosts and panelists : No, it started at 9.

12:59:12     From Darlene Christy : No, Anne... this started at noon EST

12:59:16     From Coya Steele Silverlake : Much appreciation to Steve and Ginger, my friend!  Hoping to watch the video of this - gotta go now -

12:59:36     From anne rush : ugh missed it, is it going to be recorded

12:59:38     From Mona Hamoui : Getting a second and even third opinion is always a good idea

12:59:52     From Darlene Christy : Yes, Anne It will be recorded

13:00:07     From anne rush : will I get a link for the reording

13:00:20     From Katya De Luisa : In Costa Rica there is a common slogan, "No hay mal por bien no venga" There is no bad that good can't come out of it. Ginger's advocacy has come out of the challenges and she is helping so many to understand how important what she's sharing is.

13:00:40     From Darlene Christy : Steve just said... on the site on-demand recordings

13:00:49     From anne rush : thank u

13:00:59     From Darlene Christy : You are welcome

13:02:03     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Link to recordings where this will be https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos?q=proaging

13:03:41     From Vienna Peterson : Thank you Ginger and Steve. Ginger's outcome is very inspiring!

13:04:08     From Mona Hamoui : You read my mind Steve ☺️

13:04:37     From Katya De Luisa : I agree so much on the NDE

13:06:15     From Katya De Luisa : I had a near death experience and when I came back I circumstances led me to  working as a dementia educator. Before never had any experience with elderly. I worked with at risk kids.

13:07:55     From Elisabeth Green : senolytic mechanism

13:07:57     From Katya De Luisa : Fasting is known to have many health benefits

13:09:32     From Katya De Luisa : It is important to begin thinking outside the box as far as dementia is concerned. There's so little really understood about the mind and consciousness.

13:09:44     From Kris O’Keefe : Ginger, you are awesome!

13:09:49     From Dana Ferri  to  Hosts and panelists : Thank you, Steve & Ginger!

13:09:55     From Elisabeth Green : thank you Ginger for illuminating the experience our loved ones might one day experience

13:09:55     From Darlene Christy : Thank you both!

13:09:56     From Mona Hamoui : Great discussion

Watch the first discussion with Ginger from May 19, 2023