Your friends stop visiting after your dementia diagnosis. They forget to call. You get dropped from the golf list after making a few scoring mistakes. The diagnosis didn't take away who you are. Dementia stigma makes you invisible while you're still here, still living, still deserving connection and respect.

Mario Gregorio uses cheat sheets with buzzwords during conversations. When his train of thought disappears mid-sentence, he says "I forget, it will pass" without distress or anxiety. He posts phrases in front of his monitor as reminders. The duplicate strategy solves searching anxiety: five nail clippers scattered everywhere, reading glasses in the living room, bedroom, kitchen. Friends disappear not from malice. They don't know how to react to the diagnosis.

Learn why remembering the person instead of the diagnosis prevents invisibility. Understand the tools that reduce anxiety: writing appointments on your hand when you forget you own a tracking book, laughing when thoughts go blank. Discover how Mario's grounded approach teaches life lessons applicable before dementia: humble mistakes, grounded forgetting, unconditional connection.

GUEST: Mario Gregorio | http://alzheimer.ca

Topics: dementia stigma, social isolation, friendship loss, adaptive memory tools, living with cognitive change

Originally aired on 2026-01-20

Your friends stop visiting after your dementia diagnosis. They forget to call. You get dropped from the golf list after making a few scoring mistakes. The diagnosis didn't take away who you are. Dementia stigma makes you invisible while you're still here, still living, still deserving connection and respect.
Mario Gregorio uses cheat sheets with buzzwords during conversations. When his train of thought disappears mid-sentence, he says "I forget, it will pass" without distress or anxiety. He posts phrases in front of his monitor as reminders. The duplicate strategy solves searching anxiety: five nail clippers scattered everywhere, reading glasses in the living room, bedroom, kitchen. Friends disappear not from malice. They don't know how to react to the diagnosis.
Learn why remembering the person instead of the diagnosis prevents invisibility. Understand the tools that reduce anxiety: writing appointments on your hand when you forget you own a tracking book, laughing when thoughts go blank. Discover how Mario's grounded approach teaches life lessons applicable before dementia: humble mistakes, grounded forgetting, unconditional connection.
GUEST: Mario Gregorio |<a href="http://alzheimer.ca"> http://alzheimer.ca</a>
Topics: dementia stigma, social isolation, friendship loss, adaptive memory tools, living with cognitive change
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-20

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.