There was one word that completely changed the way I cared for my mom. Actually, that's not quite true. Learning the word changed my caregiving in two phases. The first phase was simply learning that the word existed. The second—and much more important—phase was finally understanding what it actually meant. For a long time, I couldn't understand how my mom could forget something she'd done her entire life, like how to open the refrigerator, and then immediately insist there w

Most people associate grief with death. But for many families affected by dementia, grief begins long before a loved one is gone. In fact, some caregivers begin grieving before a diagnosis is ever made. They grieve changes in personality. They grieve changes in communication. They grieve shared dreams, traditions, and expectations for the future. By the time a dementia diagnosis arrives, many caregivers have already been carrying grief for months or even years without realizi

Caring for someone with dementia can feel like riding a roller coaster of emotions. The ups, downs, and unexpected twists make this journey particularly challenging. As caregivers, we do more than fulfill daily needs; we navigate our own grief as we witness the gradual changes in our loved ones. This post offers insights on how acceptance, self-awareness, and patience can help us handle these complex feelings while providing care. Understanding the Grief of Caregiving Grief i