If you needed surgery, would you want it done by a surgeon who lives on coffee, hasn't slept for a week, and has an overflowing waiting room?

Probably not.

The same is true for caregivers who provide dementia care. If they are over-taxed, burned out, and running on fumes, they are probably unable to provide the highest level of care. "Great dementia care can't ignore the caregiver."

So how can you start your journey toward brighter days in your caregiving journey?

Today on the show, our host, board certified geropsychologist Dr. Natali Edmonds, walks us through the connection between our thoughts and feelings and providing the highest level of caregiving for those we love who have dementia.

In this Episode:

[00:53] - Most dementia caregivers are stressed, burned out, and barely hanging on.

[01:41] - Why even a person with the best resources and training will never be able to provide optimal dementia care without this one thing.

[02:28] - Assessing how we can provide the caregiver with tools and strategies to enable them to offer dementia care with a higher probability of success.

[03:03] - The most crucial thing in offering the highest level of dementia care.

[03:42] - With so much out of control in the day-to-day caregiving journey, Dr. Edmonds shares the one thing you can change for an easier path.

[04:40] - How cognitive-behavioral therapy can help caregivers change their thinking to change their behavior.

[05:06] - The truth is, it's not the person with dementia refusing to shower for the 5th week in a row causing your stress.

[07:33] - How our thoughts and feelings can impact our attitudes and actions.

[08:43] – The impact of our feelings on our loved one with dementia.

[09:03] - Sourcing the link between the frustration our loved one with dementia is exhibiting and the caregiver's stress load.

[9:35] - Dr. Edmonds shares the most important things to do when you notice an increase in your stress or frustration.

[10:11] - Taking the first step to feeling better on your caregiver journey.

Links and Resources:

Dementia Careblazers

Careblazers TV

Dementia Careblazers Blog

About Careblazers with Dr. Natali

Join the Dementia Care Club

Download the Careblazer Survival Guide

Email the Careblazers