Punishing Yourself for Your Loved One’s Suffering Won’t Do Anyone Any Good

I felt so guilty living my life while my mom was suffering from Alzheimer’s and my dad was overwhelmed with her care that I just simply stopped living my life. I still feel guilty that I didn’t have to take care of her from the minute I woke up until the minute I went to … Continue reading Punishing Yourself for Your Loved One’s Suffering Won’t Do Anyone Any Good

Changing Your Perspective Won’t Change Your Circumstances, But It Will Change You

When I was in the thick of my mom’s Alzheimer’s, I often felt down, depressed, and hopeless. I mostly focused on all that I had lost and would continue to lose as my mom declined. I would read things about being positive, finding joy, and hunting the good stuff and I would scoff. How could … Continue reading Changing Your Perspective Won’t Change Your Circumstances, But It Will Change You

Sitting on the Sidelines to Care for Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s

The photo below was taken four years ago at my niece’s first birthday party—a party I helped plan, set up for, and desperately wanted to be a part of instead of just taking care of my mom the whole time. We knew this would most likely be the only birthday party that my mom would … Continue reading Sitting on the Sidelines to Care for Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s

Your Decisions As a Caregiver Do Not Cause Your Loved One to Decline. Alzheimer’s Does.

Your decisions as a caregiver do not cause your loved one to decline. The disease causes your loved one to decline. We had a very hard time making certain decisions for my mom’s care. Looking back and reflecting on those decisions has allowed me to see that making those decisions was not the cause of … Continue reading Your Decisions As a Caregiver Do Not Cause Your Loved One to Decline. Alzheimer’s Does.

Interview with Dr. Regina Koepp of the Caring for Aging Parents Show

I had the honor and privilege of being interviewed by Dr. Regina Koepp yesterday for the Caring for Aging Parents Show. In the interview, we talk about the road to my mom’s diagnosis, my struggle as a 25-year-old to accept her diagnosis, the importance of sharing your story, what I’ve learned over the last ten … Continue reading Interview with Dr. Regina Koepp of the Caring for Aging Parents Show