The Podcast

We don’t outgrow ADHD, we simply change with it. Join hosts Jami and Justin as we explore the intersection of ADHD and seniors.

Episode 94 – ADHD, Aging & Dementia

In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with Certified Senior Advisor and dementia care specialist Sydney Kennedy for a conversation that bridges two often misunderstood topics: ADHD and aging.

Sydney shares how reading Jami’s book, This Explains So Much, helped her recognize many ADHD traits in herself later in life, including being labeled a daydreamer, struggling to stay engaged in school, and hearing the familiar phrase, “She needs to apply herself.”

The conversation then turns to Sydney’s decades of experience helping older adults and their families navigate senior living and dementia care. Together, she and Jami discuss why it’s important not to confuse normal aging, ADHD, and dementia, and how compassion, education, and the right support can make all the difference.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why many older women don’t recognize ADHD until later in life
  • The childhood signs of ADHD that often go unnoticed
  • Why “She needs to apply herself” was a common message for many girls
  • How coping strategies can mask ADHD for decades
  • The differences between ADHD, normal aging, and dementia
  • Common misconceptions about memory loss and dementia
  • How to support a loved one living with dementia with dignity and compassion
  • What placement professionals do and how they help families navigate senior care
  • Why understanding comes before assumptions

Why This Matters

As we age, it’s easy to mistake ADHD symptoms for normal aging or even dementia.

This episode encourages listeners to approach both conditions with curiosity instead of judgment, reminding us that understanding someone’s brain can transform not only how we see ourselves, but how we care for the people we love.

The ADHD Button Question

Jami asks every guest: If there were a button that could remove your ADHD forever, would you press it?

While Sydney has never been formally diagnosed, she shares that she wouldn’t press the button. Over the years, she’s learned to embrace the strategies that have helped her succeed and believes those experiences have shaped who she is today.

About the Guest

Sydney Kennedy is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), Certified Placement & Referral Specialist (CPRS), and founder of Time to Move Care Placement. For more than 20 years, she has helped older adults and their families navigate senior living options, with a special focus on dementia care, education, and caregiver support.

About the Host

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, author, and founder of Silver Linings Transitions. Through Grandma Has ADHD, she helps adults, especially women diagnosed later in life, better understand their brains and navigate life with greater clarity and compassion.

Resources

  • This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro
  • Time to Move Care Placement
  • Teepa Snow – Dementia Care Education
  • National Placement & Referral Alliance (NPRA)
  • National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers (NASMM)

Links & Support

Listen Now!