Hey there, Careblazers! Today, I want to share a personal experience highlighting a critical issue in the healthcare system. As someone who has worked in the healthcare field for over 13 years, I recently found myself on the other side as a caregiver for my parents. The experiences I had during this challenging time have prompted me to address an important aspect that healthcare professionals need to keep in mind, and it can also help you, the Careblazer, in your caregiving journey.

Let me set the stage for you. My dad had a severe fall, which landed him in the hospital for a month, including some time in the ICU. From there, he was transferred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation. It was during this transition that I encountered a series of disheartening experiences that shed light on the state of care facilities today.

Upon arriving at the skilled nursing facility, nobody greeted me. The worker at the front desk was busy with her phone, failed to acknowledge my...

Welcome back, Careblazers! I want to talk about a lesser-known but valuable living facility option for older adults, especially those with or without dementia, who require assistance with their daily activities. While many seniors prefer aging at home and receiving care there, it may not always be feasible for everyone. Traditional options like assisted living facilities, memory care facilities, and nursing homes are well-known, but another alternative, called "group homes," deserves attention. Let's discuss the pros and cons of group homes to help you make an informed decision for your loved one's care.

Group homes are residential facilities that resemble ordinary homes and are licensed by the state to provide specialized care for their residents. You may find them nestled within residential neighborhoods, blending in with regular houses. These homes cater to older adults who need support with their daily activities but want a more home-like environment.

*The Benefits of Group...

Introduction:

Hey there, Careblazers! Welcome back, today, let's talk about an all to common issue dementia caregivers face. What issue you may ask? Dealing with repeating questions in dementia care. It can be tough, but don't worry—I've got your back! Together, we'll tackle this challenge and make your caregiving journey a little easier.

Understanding Memory in Dementia:

Imagine this: your loved one asks you the same question over and over again, even after you've already answered. It can be frustrating and make you wonder if you're doing something wrong. But here's the key: in dementia, memory loss is a big factor that causes this repetition.

When Memory Plays Tricks:

When your loved one keeps asking the same question, it doesn't mean that what you said didn't work or that you need to come up with something new every time. Their memory is tricking them, making them forget what you just told them. It's important to remember this and not be too hard on yourself.

The Power of...

Hey there, Careblazers! Today, I want to share a valuable tip that can make a big difference in how your loved one with dementia feels. You might think you already know it, but let me ask you this: Are you actually doing it?

If you're new here, welcome! I'm Dr. Natali, and on this channel, we talk about all things related to dementia caregiving. Before we dive into today's tip, let me quickly ask for your support. If these blog posts have helped you on your caregiving journey, please let other caregivers know about them. By spreading the word, we can reach more caregivers who need information and support.

Alright, let's get to the good stuff! So, what's the one thing you can do to avoid upsetting your loved one? It's pretty simple, really—just avoid saying "no." No one likes hearing or saying that word, right? But here's the thing: when we say "no" to our loved ones with dementia, it often makes them frustrated and angry. And when they're not doing well, it makes our lives...

Introduction:

Being a caregiver can be challenging, especially when it comes to making tough decisions for our loved ones. One common mistake we make is thinking that if something bad happens, it means we made the wrong choice. In this blog post, we will explore why this kind of thinking is incorrect and how we can change our perspective to feel more empowered on our caregiving journey.

The Problem with Negative Outcomes:

Recently, during a live Q&A session in my Care Course, a caregiver shared her experience of placing her mom in a care facility, even though she didn't want to. Unfortunately, her mom had a serious fall while at the facility, which made the caregiver doubt her decision. It's natural to question ourselves in such situations, but we need to understand why this kind of thinking is flawed.

Why We Can't Predict the Future:

When something bad happens because of a decision we made, we often believe that a different choice would have led to a better outcome. However,...

Welcome back, Careblazers! Today, let's talk about how you can get more help in caregiving. Most dementia caregivers want more support, and in this post, I'll share four simple steps from the section in the Careblazer Care Course, Help That Actually Helps, to increase your chances of getting the help you need. These steps can be used when asking family, friends, neighbors, caregiving agencies, or healthcare providers for assistance. Let's break it down and see how you can start implementing them in your life.

Step 1: Choose a Task You Need Help With

First, think about a task that you do as a caregiver but could be done by someone else. It could be helping your loved one with bathing, feeding, or getting dressed. It could also be non-caregiving tasks like grocery shopping or mowing the lawn. Write down everything you do in a day that could be done by someone else.

Step 2: Find Someone or a Place to Ask for Help

Next, think about who could help you with that task. It could...