In this deeply moving episode of Dementia Discussions, I sit down with Mary, a beloved member of my Dementia with Lewy Body support group through the UCLA Mary S. Easton Center. Mary shares the remarkable story of her husband, Dan, and their 15-year journey through dementia—a path marked by uncertainty, resilience, heartbreak, and ultimately, peace.

From the earliest signs that something was changing to navigating multiple diagnoses, difficult behaviors, hallucinations, caregiving challenges, and end-of-life care, Mary offers an honest and powerful look at what it means to love and care for someone living with dementia. Her story is one of unwavering devotion, family support, and faith in the face of unimaginable challenges. If you are a caregiver, this conversation will touch your heart and remind you that you are not alone.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] - Mary reflects on Dan’s final days and the profound peace that surrounded his passing.

[0:46] - I welcome listeners to Season 4 and introduce Mary, a longtime member of my Lewy Body Dementia support group.

[2:18] - Mary shares how she and Dan built a beautiful blended family through marriage, adoption, and foster care.

[5:39] - The first signs of cognitive and behavioral changes begin appearing years before any official diagnosis.

[10:38] - Mary discusses anosognosia and the challenges of caring for someone who does not believe anything is wrong.

[15:13] - A devastating fall leads to further medical evaluation and a diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia.

[18:15] - Hallucinations, delusions, and the heartbreaking reality of Dan no longer recognizing home.

[21:00] - Mary explains how she managed safety concerns, monitoring, and episodes of elopement.

[23:08] - A 911 call and hospital visit highlight the growing difficulties of keeping Dan safe at home.

[25:42] - Mary explores memory care options and shares why none felt right for Dan’s unique situation.

[27:20] - The family navigates alcohol use, medication concerns, and finding practical ways to maintain peace.

[33:56] - Despite interventions, Dan’s symptoms continue to progress and his personality changes become more pronounced.

[35:22] - New behaviors emerge as frontotemporal dementia symptoms begin appearing.

[37:36] - Hospice care enters the picture as Dan stops eating and drinking.

[38:46] - Mary describes the family's final week together and the gift of meaningful goodbyes.

[40:30] - Dan’s peaceful passing at home surrounded by love and family.

[43:12] - Mary reflects on the blessing of honoring Dan’s wishes and keeping him at home until the end.

[44:30] - Mary shares her powerful reflections on “The Long Goodbye” and the three losses experienced through dementia.

[46:30] - Faith, family, and community become the foundation that carried Mary through caregiving and grief.

[47:54] - Life after caregiving: finding peace, healing, and moving forward after loss.

[48:26] - Closing reflections on resilience, caregiving, and the strength it takes to walk this journey.

Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.

Caregiving for a parent with dementia can bring moments of profound love, grief, humor, and connection — and my conversation with Laura Kanofsky captures all of it. Laura shares the story of her mother’s journey from successful entrepreneur and fiercely independent businesswoman to living with dementia, while reflecting on the emotional realities of becoming both daughter and caregiver.

We also explore the extraordinary impact of music therapy in dementia care and hospice. Laura explains how music can unlock memories, create emotional connection, reduce anxiety, and offer comfort even in advanced stages of dementia. From difficult decisions about caregiving and placement to meaningful moments created through music, this conversation offers insight, compassion, and support for caregivers navigating the dementia journey.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] - Laura shares the emotional challenge of explaining her father’s death to her mother after dementia changed her memory and understanding.

[1:00] - I introduce my longtime friend and colleague, Laura Kanofsky.

[3:13] - Laura reflects on her mother’s successful career and fiercely independent spirit before dementia.

[7:45] - We discuss early cognitive decline, vascular dementia, and the transition from home care to assisted living and board-and-care.

[10:21] - Laura shares how dementia changed parts of her mother’s personality and behavior.

[12:10] - Laura explains why a smaller board-and-care setting became the right fit for her mother.

[14:59] - We talk about grief, “therapeutic truth-telling,” and her mother’s confusion surrounding her late husband.

[18:20] - A conversation about friendship, community, and staying socially connected during the dementia journey.

[19:20] - Laura shares how she became a music therapist and why music is so powerful for people living with dementia.

[23:24] - We explore how music therapy supports memory, emotional connection, and engagement.

[25:18] - Laura discusses balancing her personal role as a daughter with her professional work in hospice and music therapy.

[27:35] - We talk about how music created meaningful moments of joy and connection between Laura and her mother.

[30:11] - Laura explains how music therapy can encourage storytelling, reminiscence, and emotional expression.

[31:56] - Laura shares experiences from her work in mental health, hospice, and autism care.

[36:07] - We discuss Laura’s work with Dynamic Hospice and Palliative Care and the role of music therapy at end of life.

[38:57] - Laura shares how she helps families create legacy playlists and personalized memorial music.

[42:38] - We reflect on empathy, compassion, and understanding the whole person in caregiving.

[45:08] - Laura and I close by reflecting on the supportive community serving older adults and caregivers in Los Angeles.

Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Donald Wiss, a retired orthopedic trauma surgeon and devoted husband, whose caregiving journey is as profound as it is heartbreaking. I first met Dr. Wiss at a small board and care here in Los Angeles, and I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand the love and dedication he brings to caring for his wife, Deborah, who was diagnosed with mixed vascular Alzheimer’s dementia. In our conversation, he takes us back through their incredible 50-year love story and shares how subtle memory changes slowly revealed something much more serious.

We talk about what happens when life doesn’t go according to plan—when retirement dreams shift into full-time caregiving, and when love means showing up in entirely new ways. Dr. Wiss opens up about the realities of dementia, from navigating denial and diagnosis to making difficult care decisions and finding moments of connection in the midst of loss. This episode is filled with honesty, resilience, and powerful insights for anyone walking the caregiving path. 

Episode Highlights

[00:00] - Dr. Wiss shares his daily ritual of expressing love and gratitude to Deborah

[01:31] - I introduce Dr. Wiss and how we first met through caregiver support

[02:23] - The beautiful backstory of Dr. Wiss and Deborah’s 50-year love story

[05:11] - Early warning signs of memory loss and the gradual realization something was wrong

[07:10] - A pivotal trip reveals the severity of Deborah’s cognitive decline

[10:29] - Understanding anosognosia and the challenges of lack of self-awareness

[12:42] - Dr. Wiss makes the life-changing decision to retire and become a full-time caregiver

[16:59] - Life during COVID and the emotional intensity of caregiving at home

[21:49] - Navigating daily routines, music, and finding ways to connect

[22:59] - The transition to adult day care and initial resistance

[25:29] - Making the difficult decision to move Deborah into memory care

[28:04] - Finding the right fit: from large facilities to small residential care

[31:42] - Letting go of the “fixer” mindset and accepting dementia’s reality

[33:53] - The emotional toll of watching a loved one change before your eyes

[37:05] - The power of resilience, acceptance, and redefining purpose

[38:49] - Why saying “I love you” never stops mattering

[41:59] - How relationships and support systems evolve over time

[44:41] - Practical communication tips: how to speak with someone with dementia

[45:15] - The heartbreak of goodbye—and how that changes over time

[46:41] - Medication decisions and navigating treatment thoughtfully

[49:06] - Reflections on the future of dementia care and hope for breakthroughs

Links and Resources

Dr. Donald Wiss’ Book:
One Life, No Rehearsal: A Surgeon’s Memoir of Healing, Heartbreak, and Legacy https://www.amazon.com/ONE-LIFE-NO-REHEARSAL-Heartbreak/dp/B0FG1HL971

Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.

In this episode of Dementia Discussions, I’m joined by Jefferson, a member of one of my caregiver support groups, who shares the powerful story of caring for his mother as she navigates dementia. Once a vibrant entrepreneur and theater producer, his mom was always the person bringing people together—making the changes in her memory and behavior especially difficult to witness.

Jefferson opens up about recognizing the early signs of cognitive decline, navigating a diagnosis, and facing one of the hardest realities caregivers encounter: realizing that bringing a loved one home isn’t always the safest option. We also talk about advocacy, memory care, and how finding the right environment ultimately brought peace of mind for both Jefferson and his mom. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re making the right decisions as a caregiver, this conversation will resonate deeply.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] – Jefferson reflects on the moment he realized bringing his mom back home wasn’t a safe plan.

[1:07] – I welcome listeners back to Dementia Discussions and invite caregivers to share their stories.

[2:00] – Jefferson joins the show and shares the vibrant story of his mother’s life in theater, entrepreneurship, and community building.

[4:48] – The first subtle signs of memory changes begin to appear—and a powerful moment during one of Jefferson’s presentations raises concern.

[7:59] – After Jefferson’s father passes away, his mother’s cognitive decline accelerates while living alone.

[9:45] – Jefferson describes the growing caregiving responsibilities, including managing finances and noticing changes in behavior and mood.

[13:05] – Resistance to in-home help and the challenge many families face when trying to introduce outside care.

[14:14] – Seeking a formal diagnosis through his mother’s primary care physician and preparing for future care needs.

[18:10] – A frightening health crisis leads Jefferson to rush to Palm Desert and call emergency services.

[20:09] – Transitioning from hospital care to assisted living—and learning the limitations of what assisted living can provide.

[22:30] – Jefferson’s plan to temporarily move his mother back home in order to manage mounting care costs.

[25:10] – Within minutes of bringing her home, Jefferson realizes the situation is not safe and that professional care is necessary.

[27:22] – I share how many caregivers experience the same hope of bringing a loved one home—and why it often doesn’t work.

[28:22] – Jefferson goes into full advocate mode at the hospital, pushing for a new discharge plan and appropriate care.

[32:12] – The turning point: hospice and palliative support open the door to a new memory care placement.

[34:45] – Jefferson describes the smaller memory care community where his mom now lives safely and happily.

[36:56] – Weekly updates from staff and the relief of knowing his mother is well cared for.

[38:07] – Understanding hospice and palliative services as supportive care—not only end-of-life care.

[41:10] – Visiting his mom regularly and navigating the emotional reality that she’s still there—but not the same.

[42:19] – The importance of caregiver support groups, friends, and family during the caregiving journey.

Caregiving can feel incredibly isolating, but conversations like this remind us that none of us are alone in the journey. 

Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.

In this episode of Dementia Discussions, I am joined by Elizabeth Fluck and Meredith Eden of The Hummingbird Project, and what a meaningful conversation this turned out to be. If you’ve ever wondered how to truly enhance quality of life for someone living with dementia—not just manage symptoms, but spark joy—this episode is for you.

We talk about the power of social connection, therapeutic engagement, and why isolation can be so detrimental, especially for seniors and those who cannot easily advocate for themselves. Elizabeth and Meredith share how their strength-based, individualized approach is transforming dementia care through creative arts, purposeful activities, and even virtual programming. You’ll walk away with practical insight and, I hope, a renewed sense of possibility.

Episode Timeline

[0:48] – I kick off Season 4 and reflect on the importance of community and connection for caregivers.

[2:12] – Elizabeth shares how volunteering in a nursing home as a teenager led her to a lifelong passion for working with seniors.

[3:55] – Meredith talks about her background in drama therapy and how she found her true calling on a memory care floor.

[7:49] – We discuss why socialization is more than brain games—and why isolation is especially harmful for seniors with dementia.

[10:30] – The origin of The Hummingbird Project and the need for a true “quality of life” model in elder care.

[12:09] – What one-on-one therapeutic engagement actually looks like—and how specialists tailor activities to each individual.

[15:41] – Beautiful examples of rediscovering talents, including harmonizing with a violinist and reconnecting with professional identity.

[16:52] – “They’re going to forget anyway”—we address this common concern and explain why the moment still matters.

[17:57] – How engagement impacts stress levels, body chemistry, and overall wellness—even if the memory fades.

[20:09] – The flexibility of meeting clients wherever they are: at home, in facilities, or even in the hospital.

[22:35] – The virtual engagement program and how even clients who seem “non-engageable” can thrive online.

[29:19] – How the program supports caregivers by filling in afternoon downtime and reducing agitation.

[33:46] – Navigating resistance to care and how Hummingbird can be the first supportive presence in the door.

[35:26] – How services are structured, billed, and customized to meet each client’s needs.

[42:46] – The partnership with Family Caregiver Alliance and the “Let’s Get Away Together” virtual group experience.

[45:17] – Travel themes, shared stories, and creating meaningful community for caregivers and their loved ones.

[50:47] – The flexibility of scheduling and why there is no rigid commitment structure.

Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.

In this episode of Dementia Discussions, I sit down with Lisa Jo, a longtime member of the support group I co-lead at the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research at UCLA. Lisa has been navigating the complex, emotional, and often overwhelming role of long-distance caregiving, and today she opens up about her mother’s dementia journey, her father’s decline, and what it was like to step into full-time caregiving during one of the most difficult times in her family’s life.

Lisa shares so honestly about the unexpected challenges she faced—sun-downing behaviors, shifting family dynamics, medication management, caregiver burnout, and the heartbreaking realities that arise when a parent no longer recognizes you. She also gives a heartfelt look at the meaningful moments she was able to create with both of her parents during their final years together. Her story is raw, authentic, and full of wisdom for any caregiver walking a similar path.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] – Lisa describes early signs of her mom’s sun-downing and the moment her mother no longer recognized her.
 [00:37] – I welcome listeners to Season 3 and share my gratitude for the community.
 [01:31] – Introducing Lisa Jo and her connection to our UCLA support group.
 [02:02] – Lisa paints a picture of who her mom was before dementia—independent, outgoing, and full of life.
 [03:23] – The beginning of her mother’s cognitive decline and early safety concerns.
 [04:40] – The emotional toll on her dad as her mom’s personality and memory shifted.
 [05:50] – Life in independent living and when Lisa decided to seek out caregiver support.
 [07:02] – Lisa realizes her dad is overwhelmed and begins exploring outside help.
 [08:40] – Moving in with her parents for 15 months during her dad’s illness and recognizing the true extent of her mom’s impairment.
 [10:38] – Her dad relinquishes caregiving responsibilities as his own health declines.
 [12:01] – Balancing full-time remote work while caregiving for both parents.
 [14:40] – Challenges in communication, accusations, and emotional upheaval caused by dementia.
 [15:50] – A bittersweet moment when her mom mistakes her for “someone familiar.”
 [16:50] – Rebuilding an adult relationship with both parents and finding unexpected closeness.
 [18:52] – How fortunate timing, flexibility, and family planning made care possible.
 [20:00] – Her father’s passing and preparing her mother for the transition to memory care.
 [21:37] – Moving her mom into memory care and the thoughtful steps she took to ease the adjustment.
 [23:46] – Personalizing the new space with colors, familiar furniture, and meaningful artwork.
 [26:07] – Navigating her mom’s grief and repeated questions after her dad’s death.
 [28:21] – Using fiblets and reassurance to support her mom emotionally.
 [30:58] – Long-distance caregiving today—video calls, late-night reassurance, and new complications with care-facility rules.
 [33:18] – Adjusting to limited access and advocating for communication options.
 [34:31] – Traveling back East periodically and managing a new diagnosis: multiple myeloma.
 [36:06] – How the support group has helped Lisa through education, connection, and emotional release.
 [37:30] – Navigating guilt as a long-distance caregiver and honoring her parents’ wishes.
 [39:45] – The biggest silver lining—deepening her relationship with both of her parents.
 [42:16] – Closing the conversation with gratitude and reflection.

Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate,

In this episode, I sit down with dementia counselor, educator, and author Tami Anastasia for a deeply meaningful conversation about what really drives behavior in dementia care. We go beyond surface-level symptoms and talk about the powerful role personal history, emotional patterns, and past trauma play once the brain can no longer filter or suppress them. This is one of those conversations that can completely change how you see dementia caregiving.

Tami joins me to discuss her newest book, Dementia Caregiving & Personal History: How to Help Cope, Connect, and Heal, and why this journey—painful as it is—can also be an opportunity for healing for both caregivers and those living with dementia. We explore how connection replaces correction, why the soul does not get dementia, and how caregivers can respond with empathy, reassurance, and boundaries instead of guilt

Episode Highlights:

 [0:00] – When words fail, how caregivers can still connect by speaking to the soul
 [1:26] – Introducing Tami Anastasia and her work in dementia counseling and education
 [3:27] – Why dementia behaviors often connect to unresolved personal history
 [6:45] – How past trauma resurfaces when coping mechanisms disappear
 [9:01] – Caring for someone who didn’t take care of you—and setting boundaries
 [12:11] – Using personalized language to reduce agitation and fear
 [16:16] – Honoring identity and work history in dementia care
 [19:02] – Caregiver guilt, grief, and the emotional weight of placement decisions
 [24:23] – Fear-based family histories and nighttime paranoia
 [29:16] – Personality traits intensifying as dementia progresses
 [31:56] – Listening to emotional themes, not just words
 [34:56] – The power of non-verbal connection when language breaks down
 [38:01] – Giving caregivers permission to acknowledge their limits
 [40:05] – How to find Tami’s books and upcoming audiobook release 

Links & Resources:

 Tami Anastasia's Book Dementia, Caregiving, and Personal History: How to Help, Cope, Connect, and Heal: https://a.co/d/4qoXZ2d 

Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.

In this heartfelt episode of Dementia Discussions, I sit down with Christine, a member of my Alzheimer's Los Angeles caregiver support group and a wife navigating the difficult journey of her husband Steve's early-onset dementia. Christine and I talk about their 46-year marriage, how his brilliant legal career slowly unraveled, and the emotional toll that comes with losing the person you love in pieces.

Christine shares her personal reflections with honesty, humor, and wisdom. From the early warning signs she didn't recognize, to the agonizing process of telling their adult children and his law firm, to letting go of the life they once knew—Christine brings us into the deeply personal and complex world of caregiving. If you're a spouse, partner, or family caregiver, this episode is full of truths you’ll likely recognize and encouragement you didn’t know you needed.

Episode Highlights: 

[0:40] - Meet Christine and hear how she and Steve met at debate camp as teenagers 

[2:20] - A young love story and a 46-year marriage built on intellect and conversation 

[5:13] - Early signs of cognitive decline during COVID and the initial diagnosis 

[10:15] - The emotional toll of hiding the diagnosis from family and Steve's law firm 

[13:55] - Steve's resignation and the loss of identity that came with it 

[16:55] - Language loss, isolation, and grief within the marriage 

[22:31] - Comparing dementia caregiving to a marathon and facing unpredictable hurdles 

[25:14] - The driving dilemma and setting boundaries for safety 

[29:47] - How caregiving affects patience, control, and old communication habits 

[34:01] - Traveling with someone with dementia and adapting routines 

[39:26] - Christine's coping tools: painting, music, exercise, and alone time 

[42:02] - Recommended reads: Travelers to Unimaginable Lands and Loving Someone Who Has Dementia 

[44:34] - Ambiguous loss and grieving someone who is still here 

[45:52] - Financial challenges and the burden of full responsibility 

[48:49] - Drawing lines for when to seek help or facility care 

[52:15] - Silver linings: finding support in adult children and reclaiming time for herself 

[56:18] - Learning to ask for help and connect with others in vulnerable moments

Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.

This week on Dementia Discussions, I sit down with someone very close to my heart—my childhood best friend, Madeline Jaye. We reconnected after many years, and I was deeply moved to learn that she’s been navigating her own journey as a caregiver to her mother, Bonnie, who now lives with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Madeline doesn’t just share her caregiving story—she’s also transformed her experience into a one-woman play that’s as hilarious as it is heartbreaking.

In this episode, Madeline and I reflect on what it means to care for someone who didn’t always care for you, how humor can be a powerful coping mechanism, and the complexity of aging, memory loss, and family dynamics. You’ll hear about the signs she missed, the chaos she uncovered, and the incredibly creative outlet that helped her process it all. Whether you're a caregiver, a theater lover, or simply someone interested in the raw truths of dementia, this conversation will stay with you.

Episode Highlights:

 [1:43] Reconnecting with Madeline and discovering her caregiving story
 [3:15] When the signs started—how Bonnie's independence masked memory loss
 [5:27] Understanding “cognitive reserve” and its role in delaying diagnosis
 [7:50] The pivotal moment when Madeline confronted her mom
 [10:36] Navigating testing, early resistance, and inconclusive results
 [12:53] Bonnie’s home life and hygiene—early warning signs surface
 [17:41] The uphill battle of introducing help and home care
 [20:04] Strategies and resistance to caregiving support
 [23:40] Learning to separate the disease from the person
 [26:17] How Madeline’s play came to life—and the powerful message behind it
 [34:56] Playing every character in a solo performance
 [35:26] Humor in the heartbreak—yes, there’s bacon in the dish cabinet
 [39:27] Managing Bonnie’s bills, hoarding, and household neglect
 [44:36] The overwhelming task of stepping into her mom’s financial chaos
 [47:05] What made it into the play—and what may come next
 [48:17] Why writing became Madeline’s most powerful coping tool
 [50:01] Where and when to catch Dementia and Other Exit Strategies live
[51:22] Reflecting on Bonnie—the dynamic woman we both knew 

Links & Resources:

• Madeline Jaye's Play Info: Dementia and Other Exit Strategies
  September 26 & 27 at IRT Theater, 154 Christopher Street, NYC
• Instagram: @madjmoves

Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.

I’m honored to welcome Steve Lavapies, a devoted son and a thoughtful member of one of our UCLA caregiver support groups. Steve shares the deeply personal journey of caring for his mother, a brilliant and resilient woman who immigrated to the U.S., became a physician, and faced a long and complex decline due to physical illness and dementia.

In this episode, Steve opens up about the realities of caregiving as an only child, the emotional and logistical weight of moving his mom through assisted living, memory care, and ultimately hospice. We talk about guilt, grief, resilience, and the hard but beautiful truth that connection, even in decline, is possible.

Episode Highlights:

[1:20] - Introducing Steve, a fellow UCLA support group member and caregiver for his mom
 [2:31] - A portrait of Steve’s mom before dementia—her bold immigration story and medical career
 [4:33] - Moving to LA to be closer to family and transitioning into assisted living
 [6:27] - Early physical decline and recognizing the signs of needing more care
 [8:39] - The beginning signs of cognitive decline during the pandemic
 [12:10] - A shocking moment during cognitive testing and a mindset shift in caregiving
 [14:15] - Navigating caregiving solo as an only child
 [18:59] - Dealing with facility limitations, caregiver compatibility, and daily oversight
 [20:46] - When her sharp personality began to fade, and what Steve missed about it
 [25:06] - The transition to memory care—logistics, emotion, and adaptation
 [29:46] - Watching physical abilities diminish, and the bittersweetness of presence
 [33:28] - The parallels between dementia care and parenting, and giving yourself permission to rest
 [35:49] - The fall that changed everything and led to hospice care
 [41:46] - Experiencing grief, guilt, and—eventually—relief
 [44:15] - The value of support groups and shared stories in the caregiving journey
 [47:18] - The moment of recognition in community—“We had the same mother!”
 [48:13] - Reflecting on Steve’s strength, his mother’s legacy, and the healing power of story

Links & Resources:

• Visit the podcast website: https://dementiadiscussions.net
• Call Barbara directly at 310-362-8232

If this episode touched you or helped you feel a little less alone, please consider rating, following, sharing, and reviewing the podcast. Your support makes a world of difference, and helps this community of caregivers continue to grow. Thank you so much for listening, and I’ll see you next time on Dementia Discussions. 💙