July 22, 2025

270. How to Trust Others (and Still Protect Your Loved One) as a Dementia Caregiver

16 minutes

Need more help but flinch at the word “trust”? Anne gets it. In Episode 270 of Dementia Caregiver Support for Christians she admits, “**One word would make caregiving easier—**trust.” Doctors who push life-at-any-cost, aides who overstep, relatives who second-guess… no wonder she’d rather shoulder everything herself.

Lizette begins with her signature prompt:

“Let’s say it’s six months from today and caregiving is easier. What would it take to get there?”

Anne’s first need: reliable respite hours through the VA—without forfeiting quality of life for her husband, Mike.

1. Identify the Real Trust Gap

Anne doesn’t actually distrust people; she distrusts the system. Lizette reframes: “Doctors can only recommend. You, as health-care power of attorney, direct the care.” That shift turns passive frustration into active stewardship.

2. Put Biblical Authority in Writing

Lizette urges Anne to draft clear end-of-life preferences now—feeding tube? CPR? hospital vs. home?—and share them with her nephew (the designated implementer). Proverbs 16 3: “Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

3. Vet Helpers with Therapeutic Truth-Telling™

Before hiring, explain Mike’s routines and your non-negotiables: respect, exercise time, no argumentative “fixing.” Truth upfront prevents boundary breaches later.

4. Build a Vent-Partner List

When caregiving frays nerves, you need a safe ears-open friend. Anne finds hers in a respite worker and Lizette’s community calls. Ecclesiastes 4 10: two are better than one.

Want a deeper dive? Register for Lizette’s free workshop “Three Unusual Mistakes That Keep Christian Dementia Caregivers Overwhelmed”—Aug 9 at noon ET. Seats vanish fast: thinkdifferentdementia.com/WSL

💬 What Do I Say When Dementia Makes Words Hard?

✝️ Speak Calm, Not Just Words

Get “What Do I Say? How to Connect with Your Loved One with Dementia” — a free guide for Christian caregivers navigating confusion, repetition, and emotional moments.

✅ 10 ready-to-use scripts

✅ Rooted in Scripture

✅ Built on the Therapeutic Truth-Telling™ model

📥 Download the guide now: https://www.dementiacaregivingmadeeasy.com/script

🤝 You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Join other Christian caregivers who are walking this road too — and learning how to care with compassion, clarity, and faith.

👥 Join the free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementiacaregiversupportforchristians

🗣️ Ask Your Question Live — and Be Heard

Bring your real-life caregiving questions to Ask the Dementia Coach — our free monthly Q&A session. You’ll get support, clarity, and maybe even be featured on the podcast.

🗓️ Brought to you every month!

🎤 Register here: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/ask

🎓 Want to Reduce Overwhelm Right Now?

Join our free workshop:

How to Immediately Reduce Dementia Caregiver Overwhelm and Stress — in 3 Simple Steps

✅ Practical tools

✅ Faith-informed strategies

✅ Same-day results

🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

🧭 Still Feeling Stuck?

If you’re wondering what’s underneath your stress, the Caregiver Stress Assessment can help clarify what’s really weighing you down — so you can take your next step with peace.

📊 Take the free assessment: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/dca

❤️ Enjoy This Podcast?

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By Lizette Cloete, Christian Dementia Coach

4.9

7777 ratings