Dementia Careblazers

In this episode, we are talking about caregiver guilt. I get messages every day from amazing Careblazers who feel so guilty for something they said or something they've done. They might tell me they snapped back at their loved one. They may have lost thier patience with them. They might tell me they had to place their loved one in a care facility. They tell me they have so much guilt. In this episode, I want to talk about what to do when that guilt creeps up. We will talk specifically about where

The holidays can be difficult for many people, especially dementia caregivers. The current holiday season looks nothing like the family holidays you may have had in the past. But comparing your current situation to those past celebrations can create feelings of sadness that will make your current situation seem even more difficult.  You don’t have to just suffer through the holiday season and wish it was over. So, how can you face the holidays head-on, with fewer negative emotions, and maybe even

Neuropsychological testing is a series of tests designed to determine how somebody's brain functions across the different regions of the brain.  Different types of dementia present differently. Determining how a person responds to different questions can help family members care for and interact with their loved ones more effectively and offer insight for future planning. But not everyone is offered this type of testing, and it is not advised for every patient. Listen in as Dr. Natali discusses the

Did you know there are 3 things you should never do with your loved one with dementia? One of the reasons this journey can be so complex and challenging is that the person with dementia, especially in the early stages, looks so much like their normal, usual self. They don't seem to look like much is wrong with them. It's not apparent that their brain is struggling. So, when they want to do something, they no longer can, and you tell them no, and they argue with you, well, it's tempting to argue

One of the biggest blocks to changing challenging dementia behaviors that don't make sense to us is labeling them.  For example, say your mom won't bathe, sometimes for weeks. This behavior doesn't make sense to you, but no matter how much you beg and plead and ask, 'why won't you let me help you take care of your hygiene' the answer is a big no.  Add to that mom's inability to communicate what she wants or needs to make her comfortable getting into the tub, and this scenario becomes the catalyst

If you needed surgery, would you want it done by a surgeon who lives on coffee, hasn't slept for a week, and has an overflowing waiting room?  Probably not.  The same is true for caregivers who provide dementia care. If they are over-taxed, burned out, and running on fumes, they are probably unable to provide the highest level of care. "Great dementia care can't ignore the caregiver." So how can you start your journey toward brighter days in your caregiving journey?  Today on the show, our host,