MEDIA
Dementia Caregiving and Coping
In this podcast Dr. Thorn speaks from the perspective of the clinician and the caregiver, offering sound advice to both. This conversation focuses on practical clinical skills for health care providers in practice and training, including how to address anticipatory grief, emotional burden, role transitions, and resilience in caregivers of people with dementia. Whether you work in primary care, behavioral health, geriatrics, or integrated care, you’ll gain tools to better support caregivers navigating one of the most challenging experiences in healthcare.
Best Life Best Death Podcast
Beverly Thorn knows dementia firsthand, and her book Before I Lose My Own Mind: Navigating Life as a Dementia Caregiver is an empowering, realistic guide for caregivers, friends, spouses, and anyone who will be touched by dementia. And guess what, folks? That’s pretty much all of us. Estimates that focus specifically on Alzheimer’s dementia (the most prevalent form of dementia) put the number at about 7.2 million Americans age 65+ in 2025 – meaning that around 1 in 9 seniors has Alzheimer’s dementia. Beverly shares with us her experience and her hard-won wisdom. I highly recommend this discussion and this book!
Interview with WALA News
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Caring for a loved one with dementia can come with many challenges, and now a professor with the University of Alabama has information for caregivers.
“Before I Lose My Mind” by Dr. Beverly Thorn provides an honest vision of caregiving that is tender, openhearted, and genuinely useful.
Dr. Thorn sits down with Lenise Ligon to talk more about her new book.
APR – Don Noble Book Review
Now a retired English professor at The University of Alabama, Dr. Don Noble’s specialties are Southern and American literature. He also hosts Bookmark on Alabama Public Television and reviewed Before I Lose My Own Mind.
Dr. Beverly Thorn’s Guide to Resilience & Healing
- The hidden emotional toll of dementia caregiving and why so many feel alone.
- Why caregivers must care for themselves — not just for their loved ones, but because they matter too.
- Practical tools like journaling, meditation, and support groups to reduce stress.
- Why it’s vital to plan for end-of-life care and set clear boundaries as a caregiver.
- The surprising role of music, movement, and memory in dementia care.
APA Division 38 Newsletter
The Society For Health Psychology (Division 38 of the American Psychological Association) included Dr. Thorn’s recent community activities related to dementia and health psychology in their newsletter.
Fading Memories Podcast
Dr Thorn discusses a topic that is often the hardest for caregivers: how to actually get the help you need. It’s so important to move past the feeling of being overwhelmed and learn to build a support system. This episode is packed with personal stories and practical strategies for anyone navigating the challenges of advanced caregiving. Listen in to hear the full conversation and find the support you deserve.
Hemlock Society of San Diego
The Hemlock Society believes that people should be able to die consistent with their own beliefs and values and with proper, current information. Their mission is to provide the most recent, factual education about all end of life choices. This education empowers informed decisions in planning the final chapter of life.
Dr. Thorn discusses the challenges faced when discussing and making these choices when dementia is present.
Positive Aging Podcast
Dr. Thorn emphasizes the importance of caregiver self-care, the role of end-of-life doulas, and the need for a supportive community. She also addresses common issues such as survivor guilt and the emotional challenges faced by caregivers. Dr. Thorn continues to support caregivers through speaking engagements and her online resource directory, aiming to provide guidance and support for those navigating similar journeys.
End of Life University Podcast
Dr. Beverly Thorn discusses her book with End of Life University host Karen M. Wyatt, MD Hospice Physician, Podcast Host, Spiritual Teacher, Speaker, Author of Award-Winning Book: 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying.
Dementia is a Health Psychology-Relevant Matter
Dementia is a chronic degenerative neurologic syndrome characterized by gradually worsening cognitive impairment, loss of ability to perform independent activities of daily living, eventual total dependence and, ultimately, death. Sixty to eighty percent of dementia cases involve Alzheimer’s disease, but numerous other pathologies can cause dementia.
Dr. Thorn in Final Exit Network Newsletter
Dr. Thorn shares her reflections on the choices faced during her husband Walt’s end-of-life care. Gain insight into the complexities of this emotional process and find inspiration in Dr. Thorn’s honesty and wisdom.
This article has been added to an anthology of stories: Jim Van Buskirk (ed.) There at the End: Voices from Final Exit Network, Final Exit Network, 2024., pg. 71-74.
Why Therapy When my Pain is Real?
If you have chronic pain, have you ever felt like others didn’t think that your pain was real, or was “all in your head?” You’re not alone! Because chronic pain is mostly invisible to others, you may feel that family or friends think you are exaggerating the pain or making it up.
This article was invited by Upward Behavioral Health, an organization providing mental and behavioral health to residents of Alabama. It explains how therapy can improve pain management skills and reduce suffering.
The Healing Pain Podcast
On this episode, you will learn why the cognitive model is important in the treatment of chronic pain care, what should be included in cognitive treatment for chronic pain and how many sessions are required to see meaningful change. The importance of motivational enhancement and assertiveness, why treatments designed for those with pain should be simple and accessible. As well as some of the mechanisms, the similarities and the differences between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness approach for chronic pain. This is a great podcast whether you are a practitioner or a patient interested in learning more about psychologically informed care.
Dr. Thorn on “One Thing” 2022
Dr. Thorn is a keynote speaker at the 2022 Australian Pain Society, where she shares her empowering messages of hope with those who are battling chronic pain.
Dr. Thorn: How psychologists can treat chronic pain
Dr. Thorn explains the reluctance of people to consider alterative methods of of chronic pain management. She explains how socio-economic factors limit the availability of these chronic pain management tools. She also describes the study to provide these tools and the results obtained.
Vimeo: Pain Study on Disadvantaged
Dr. Thorn explains how the University of Alabama Psychology department brought behavioral therapy for chronic pain to the disadvantaged. The study brought surprising results even though many in the medical community made assumptions about people with low health literacy and their health choices.
Dr. Thorn is now retired from University of Alabama.
Copyright 2025. all rights reserved
Beverly E. Thorn, Phd.
Email: bthorn@ua.edu