Natalie Kotler

27/03/2026

Dementia Chronicles…
What a day… one I won’t soon forget.
It started simple enough… lunch with a great friend. A moment of normalcy. A breath.
All the while knowing what the afternoon would bring … a visit from a chaplain, a social worker, and ultimately a hospice nurse for my mom.
And you know what…
It was all surprisingly good.
-There was peace in it.
-There was compassion in it.
-There was dignity in it.
Tomorrow, a medical bed and additional support arrive … all designed for one purpose… to make her as comfortable as possible. And that matters more than anything right now.
But I have to say this…
The speed, the coordination, the level of care hospice has provided, compared to the struggle of trying to navigate care years ago, it’s been nothing short of impressive. Truly.
Still… there are moments that hit you in the chest.
Today, they reminded me to have her DNR printed and ready, on the yellow paper provided, for possible first responders. When actually there are no further directives. The DNR is full and final. I’ve accepted this.
That doesn’t get easier to hear.
It doesn’t sit light.
But I understand it.
And in the middle of all of it… they kept saying the same thing:
“Your mom seems happy.”
That gave me something to hold onto.
I won’t lie, I broke down a few times today. And in one of those moments, I told a friend it felt like I was planning and facilitating death.
She stopped me.
And she was right.
This isn’t about ending anything…
This is about honoring everything.
It’s about making sure that whether my mom has days, months, or even years… she is surrounded by comfort, care, dignity, and love.
That’s the mission now.
And for that… I am incredibly grateful.
To her hospice team, thank you. You’ve been nothing short of amazing.
❤️


30/01/2026

A 15-second protocol is challenging everything we thought we knew about Alzheimer’s.
Watch it while it’s still up.

30/01/2026

A groundbreaking medical device in Switzerland is offering new hope for Alzheimer’s patients. The country’s advanced b nanofilter can remove proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease in just a few hours. Remarkably, some patients have even shown signs of cognitive improvement after treatment, sparking excitement among researchers and families affected by the disease.
Alzheimer’s is primarily driven by the accumulation of harmful proteins like beta-amyloid in the brain, which impair memory and cognitive function. This nanofiltration system works by filtering these proteins directly from the bloodstream, potentially slowing or even reversing cognitive decline. Early reports suggest that repeated treatments may improve memory, focus, and overall brain function in certain patients.
Despite these promising results, many insurers still label the procedure as “experimental,” limiting access for patients who could benefit. Experts argue that broader recognition and coverage are needed to advance research and provide life-changing treatment options to more individuals.

30/01/2026

Half a million bed days are being spent keeping people living with dementia in hospital unnecessarily - and it’s costing the NHS £328 million.
Today we've published data revealing the true extent of delays to discharge from hospital for people living with dementia, and the knock-on effect for NHS winter pressures.
In one year, around 29,000 people with dementia who were fit to be discharged were kept in hospital for at least a week longer than necessary. While our insights released today don’t include the reasons for delays, these can include poor planning and lack of available dementia-appropriate follow-on support.
Delayed discharge reduces the numbers of beds available, creating bottlenecks that affect other parts of the NHS especially in winter when more people need urgent care.
It can also have a negative impact on the people being kept in hospital.
Staying in hospital unnecessarily increases a person’s risk of complications. Delays can be especially damaging for people living with dementia, who are more likely to struggle with the unfamiliar and often distressing hospital ward environment.
Risks include infections, falls, worsening cognitive function, poor mental health, malnutrition and dehydration.
Tackling dementia care and support would make a huge difference to the NHS’s ability to cope with winter pressures. Early diagnosis and access to appropriate services can help to prevent hospital visits in the first place, while better care and support would also mean those in hospital could leave when they're well enough.
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer and the greatest challenge facing health and social care services. The government must rise to the magnitude of the challenge, improving care to keep people healthier for longer and reduce the devastation caused by dementia.
[Image description: A news headline reads: Exclusive: 'Dementia discharge delays costing NHS £328million and wasted 500,000 bed days last year. Daily Mail.' The headline is overlaid on a blurred image of a person in a hospital bed. Headline via The Daily Mail.]

30/01/2026

In a breakthrough that could shift Alzheimer’s research, scientists have identified a brain protein capable of restoring memory function even when amyloid plaques remain. For decades, treatments focused on removing these plaques, believed to be the main cause of cognitive decline.
This discovery highlights the critical role of synapses the connections between neurons that form and recall memories. By repairing these pathways, researchers were able to restore memory performance in early animal studies to levels seen in healthy brains, despite the persistent plaques.
If replicated in humans, this approach could lead to therapies that preserve cognitive function and independence, offering hope to millions of patients and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: Alzheimer’s neuroscience research studies.

14/12/2025

Arialief reviews are mixed, showing it's a supplement containing PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) for nerve/sciatica pain, with some users finding significant relief for leg numbness and nerve pain, while others find it ineffective and a "waste of money," highlighting that PEA needs weeks to months to work and results vary, with ~50% benefiting, so it's a personal trial.
What it is:
Arialief is a dietary supplement marketed for nerve discomfort, sciatica, and general well-being, featuring Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) as a key ingredient.
User Experiences (Mixed):
Positive: Some users report success, finding relief from leg numbness and nerve pain after using it.
Negative: Other users feel it's a waste of money and doesn't help their neuropathy or pain.
Key Consideration (PEA):
PEA (the main ingredient) can take time to show effects, often weeks to months.
About 50% of people experience some benefit, with some seeing significant improvement, but it's not guaranteed for everyone.
In Summary:
Arialief's effectiveness depends on individual response, as with many PEA supplements; some find relief for nerve pain, while others see no change, requiring a personal trial to determine if it works for your specific condition.

14/12/2025

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/neuropathy

11/12/2025

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral_neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy, often shortened to neuropathy, refers to damage or disease affecting the nerves.[1] Damage to nerves may impair sensation, movement, gland function, and/or organ function depending on which nerve fibers are affected. Neuropathies affecting motor, sensory, or autonomic nerve fi...

11/12/2025

https://www.foundationforpn.org/what-is-peripheral-neuropathy/

The peripheral nervous system is composed of the nerves running from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.

11/12/2025

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/laser-treatment-for-neuropathy

Laser treatment can be beneficial for treating pain associated with neuropathy. Learn more here.