The Caregiver's Journey

“There’s no perfect option out there, and there’s no community that’s going to check every single box.” — Kelly Graffius Are you facing the moment you hoped would never come, trying to choose the right memory care community for your loved one? If you are not sure where to start, you are not alone. We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we know how emotional and complicated this decision can feel. We’re sharing six practical tips from Kelly Graffius, certified senior advisor and president of OASIS Senior Advisors in Roswell, Georgia, who has guided countless families through this exact process. If you are early in your dementia journey, you may start out evaluating independent or assisted living. No matter where you begin, this often leads to evaluating memory care as well, so this is our focus here.  Full Show Notes https://thecaregiversjourney.org/70-choosing-the-right-memory-care-community-six-essential-tips-alzheimers-and-other-dementias/ Additional Resources Mentioned Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourneyhttps://www.oasissenioradvisors.com/locations/roswell-ga/community-guide/Kelly Graffius phone +1 678-753-8155.Checklist https://thecaregiversjourney.org/guides/#guidesThe Caregiver’s Journey Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap: https://roadmap.thecaregiversjourney.org/ Available as an interactive page on our website that walks you through the three stages of your dementia family caregiver journey. Includes the option to download the guide for free. Takeaways Tip 1: Know your goals. Tip 2: Decide on your preferred geographic location. Tip 3: Decide on your all in budget. Tip 4: Understand the care component. Tip 5: Go on a tour. Tip 6: Consider using an expert Read More in This Blog https://thecaregiversjourney.org/70-choosing-the-right-memory-care-community-six-essential-tips/

"Two words have been the foundation of every decision I made across all of my caregiving roles — safe and happy. Before every choice, I would ask, does this help my loved one be safe? And does this support them being happy?" — Sue Ryan There was a moment in a doctor's office when five neurologists agreed on one word: dementia. In that moment, Sue looked at her husband Jack, squeezed his hand, and said, "I love you. We're on this journey together." What she couldn't have known at that moment was how many roles she'd be asked to take on — and how, through every single one of them, their love wouldn't disappear. It would just change shape. We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we understand how caregiving can feel all-consuming — so much so that love can get buried under the weight of daily responsibilities. In this post, we're drawing from Sue's chapter in the Caregivers Advocate Book, Volume Three: "When Caregiving Roles Change, Love Remains," to explore five distinct roles caregiving calls us into and how to show up in each one so love doesn't get lost. Underneath all five roles, two practices held everything together for Sue: acceptance — honoring everything exactly the way it is, without having to like it or understand it — and presence, staying fully in the moment rather than wishing for the past or worrying about the future. Let's explore the five roles and how to be intentional in each of them. Connect with us and share your tips: Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourneyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/Email: [email protected], [email protected] Full Show Notes https://thecaregiversjourney.org/69-five-changing-caregiving-roles-alzheimers-and-other-dementias/ Additional Resources Mentioned Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourneyThe Caregiver’s Advocate Volume 3: https://amzn.to/4vS5Cy8The Caregiver’s Journey Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap: https://roadmap.thecaregiversjourney.org/ Available as an interactive page on our website that walks you through the three stages of your dementia family caregiver journey. Includes the option to download the guide for free. Takeaways We discussed five roles: Role 1: Protector — Recognizing it’s up to you to keep your loved one safeRole 2: Loved One — expressing your love intentionally, every timeRole 3: Primary Caregiver — meeting your care receiver in the moment, not where they used to be or where you wish they wereRole 4: Care Partner — supporting and expressing gratitude to the care team on your loved one's behalfRole 5: Friend — finding the friendship that's still possible Read More in This Blog https://thecaregiversjourney.org/69-five-roles-that-transform-caregiving-and-how-love-survives-each-one/

Did your loved one recently receive a diagnosis of dementia? Are you at a loss for what to do next? Maybe you’re overwhelmed because you can’t find the information you need — or maybe it’s the opposite, and you’re drowning in so many conflicting resources that you don’t know where to start. We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we know how disorienting those first weeks after a diagnosis can be. That’s why we created the Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap — 20 steps to guide you through your caregiving journey, organized into the three stages of dementia caregiving: in the beginning, the messy middle, and later on. (If you want to hear more about all three stages, check out Podcast and Blog 66.) In this episode, we’re walking through the first six steps of the roadmap — the steps we recommend you take right after diagnosis, while you’re in the “in the beginning” stage. You can find the full, interactive roadmap, along with a free downloadable guide, at thecaregiversjourney.org. Connect with us and share your tips: Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourneyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/Email: [email protected], [email protected] Full Show Notes https://thecaregiversjourney.org/68-dementia-caregiving-roadmap-v4-steps-1-6-alzheimers-and-other-dementias/ Additional Resources Mentioned Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourneyThe Caregiver’s Journey Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap: https://roadmap.thecaregiversjourney.org/ Available as an interactive page on our website that walks you through the three stages of your dementia family caregiver journey. Includes the option to download the guide for free. Takeaways We discussed the first 6 steps: Step 1: Reach out for guidance Step 2: Update legal documents, end of life planning and other long term care plansStep 3: Understand the financial situation Step 4: Find support groupsStep 5: Educate yourself on early caregiving journey topicsStep 6: Investigate the US Medicare GUIDE program Read More in This Blog https://thecaregiversjourney.org/68-the-first-six-steps-to-take-after-a-dementia-diagnosis/

“When I look back on my caregiving experience, I found a purpose and a true sense of self that I didn’t know I had. Yes, there was a lot of drama and a lot of trauma, but I look back and think - this was a great experience and something I feel good about doing for the people I love.” - Nancy Treaster There’s a moment in dementia caregiving where you realize your relationship has fundamentally changed. Your loved one may no longer recognize your name, your face, or the decades you’ve shared together. How do you keep loving someone through that? How do you stay present when the person in front of you is both familiar and a stranger? We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we’ve navigated these moments personally - and we’re sharing what we’ve learned about showing up, staying present, and working to keep finding ways to connect with your loved one as their memory fades. Nancy’s chapter, “Love Beyond Memory,” is featured in the Caregivers Advocate, Volume 3. Let’s explore four tips for loving beyond memory - even when the person you love doesn’t remember who you are. Connect with us and share your tips: Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourneyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/Email: [email protected], [email protected] Full Show Notes https://thecaregiversjourney.org/67-show-up-stay-present-keep-finding-ways-to-connect-four-tips-alzheimers-and-other-dementias/ Additional Resources Mentioned Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourneyThe Caregiver’s Advocate Volume 3: https://amzn.to/4vS5Cy8The Caregiver’s Journey Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap: https://roadmap.thecaregiversjourney.org/ Available as an interactive page on our website that walks you through the three stages of your dementia family caregiver journey. Includes the option to download the guide for free. Takeaways We shared 4 tips: Don't flip the switch Let go of who they were, and fall in love with who they are nowRedefine what connection meansGive yourself permission to get help — before you are drowning Read More in This Blog https://thecaregiversjourney.org/67-love-beyond-memory-four-tips-for-showing-up-staying-present-and-staying-connected/

Have you ever felt overwhelmed searching for the right information at the right time, or found yourself drowning in conflicting resources that leave you more confused than when you started? You’re not alone. Dementia family caregiving is a long journey, and it looks very different depending on where you are in it. We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we built the Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap to help you find the right resources at the right time. As with all our resources, it’s a free, 20-step roadmap available on our website thecaregiversjourney.org. The roadmap page also includes a self-assessment tool to help you identify which caregiving stage you’re in right now. Revisit this assessment tool throughout your caregiving journey to help you know the caregiving stage you’re currently in. Let’s walk through the three distinct stages of dementia family caregiving so you know what to expect and where to focus your energy. Connect with us and share your tips: Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourneyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/Email: [email protected], [email protected] Full Show Notes https://thecaregiversjourney.org/66-what-stage-of-dementia-caregiving-are-you-in-alzheimers-and-other-dementias/ Additional Resources Mentioned Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourneyThe Caregiver’s Journey Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap: https://roadmap.thecaregiversjourney.org/ Available as an interactive page on our website that walks you through the three stages of your dementia family caregiver journey. Includes the option to download the guide for free. Takeaways The three stages of dementia family caregiving and the self-assessment tool on the caregiving roadmap page of our website, thecaregiversjourney.org. The first stage is “In the Beginning.”The second stage is “The Messy Middle.”The third stage is “Later On.” If our self-assessment tool shows you are further along in your journey, start there. Once you feel confident in where you are, we encourage you to go back and explore the earlier steps. You may find helpful tips that apply to where you are today, even if those steps were designed for an earlier part of the journey. Read More in This Blog https://thecaregiversjourney.org/66-what-stage-of-dementia-caregiving-are-you-in/