Fifteen years ago, there were plenty of medical books about Alzheimer’s and dementia, but few guides from a caregiver’s perspective. 

Author and Speaker Charlotte Canion decided to write a book called You Have to Laugh to Keep from Crying: How to Parent Your Parents with this in mind. She knew a conversational how-to guide would’ve helped others like herself who had to care for loved ones in their older age.

This week Charlotte shares her experiences caring for her parents and her father-in-law with Senior Services Expert Lori Williams. She’ll also explain helpful tips for caring for parents or spouses with dementia, as well as her “4 golden rules” to bear in mind to make the experience easier and even joyful for everyone involved.

Topics discussed:

- Caregiving tips for your loved ones
- Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s
- Finding purpose as you age
- Discovering joy in caregiving
- Making memories with senior parents
- Trying new things at any age

Takeaways from this episode:
- Even if you’re “parenting your parents,” it’s helpful and healing to make memories with each other. Find something to connect on.
- If your parents or loved ones had a passion, find an avenue to help them do it again. This helps them find purpose and contribute - and may even help their overall well-being.
- Love your parents unconditionally, and don’t give them grief for their condition.
-  In a sense you become the parent and they become the child, but don’t lose your respect for their perspective. It will make your life so much easier if you agree when they say the sky is purple! Have patience for them when they’re struggling. They’ll do and say things that you don’t understand, but try to roll with the punches.
- Your loved ones may say something uncharacteristic of themselves. That’s the disease talking, not them. Find forgiveness to set yourself free and cast off the weight of your grief.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

You Have to Laugh to Keep from Crying: How to Parent Your Parents 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XK5D7J4/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1
Sparks!: Ignite Your Way to Success:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08D2DY68Q/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0
Dementia from a daughter's perspective:
https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/77cb0bff/008-dementia-journey-from-a-daughters-perspective

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