July 08, 2025

Ep. 508 Navigating Life as a Dementia Caregiver with Beverly Thorn PhD

59 minutes

Learn about a helpful book with resources for dementia caregivers.

My guest Dr. Beverly Thorn is dual trained in the neurosciences and clinical psychology. She is the author of hundreds of articles, two books, and four workbooks on coping with chronic illness. She has also been trained as an end-of-life doula and served as her husband’s caregiver through his dementia illness and at the end of his life. She is the author of the newly published book Before I Lose My Own Mind: Navigating Life as a Dementia Caregiver. Learn more at her website:

drbeverlythorn.com

Get the book here

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This episode includes:

How her husband recognized that something was wrong long before his diagnosis

Patients and loved ones need to be empowered to change physicians if they don’t like the care they are receiving

The important contributions of end-of-life doulas and advocates

The stages of dementia Beverly observed in caring for Walt

Why others may not recognize significant changes that the caregiver can see

The constant loss and grief of dementia caregiving

Why an advance directive tailored for dementia is essential

There is a window of time where life values conversations need to be held with patients and loved ones

The experience of caregiver grief and guilt

Links mentioned in this episode:

Related episode: Advance Care Planning for Dementia

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