When Anne Kenny, a self-proclaimed workaholic physician, is forced to confront her mother's dementia and her own depression, she must learn how to balance her needs with her mother's care while navigating a difficult family dynamic.

"If you're doing the work, it's not going to get worse; it's going to get better. It may not feel great all the time, but it gets better." - Anne Kenny

Anne Kenny is a practicing physician for over 35 years and is the author of Making Tough Decisions about End-of-Life Care and Dementia. She is also a founder of Together in Dementia, which offers courses and consultation, and is a host of a blog about caregiving.

Anne Kenny juggled her work as a doctor, being a mother, and caring for her mother, who was starting to show signs of dementia. The time finally came when she and her sister had to take steps to ensure her mother’s safety. Anne found herself taking on too much, trying to see her mom daily, and her emotional range was very narrow. With the help of therapy and journaling, Anne was able to find balance, mend her relationship with her sister, and learn to ask for help. Anne ultimately learned to appreciate her time with her mom, even when it was difficult, and to take care of herself. In the end, Anne was grateful for all her mom's lessons.

In this episode, you will learn the following:

1. How a Nebraska winter led to an unexpected caregiving journey.

2. How Anne uses her own prescription pad to encourage self-care among caregivers.

3. How can one balance caregiving with filling their own soul.

4. How Anne’s mother’s dementia taught her how to receive care.

5. How caregiving allowed Anne to re-establish relationships and open her emotional range!

Learn More About Anne Kenny

Anne Kenny, MD  is the author of Making Tough Decisions about End-of-Life Care in Dementia, published by Johns Hopkins University Press in September 2018 outlines care, emotions,  and communication issues at end-of-life in dementia.  In addition, she is Founder of Together in Dementia, that offers courses, consultation and hosts a blog focusing on issues common to Alzheimer’s and related dementias and caregiving.  She is a Professor Emerita of Medicine with specialty training and board certification in Geriatric Medicine, and Palliative and Hospice care.  She has been a practicing physician for 35 years

Connect with Anne:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.togetherindementia.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TogetherInDementia

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Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

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Website: www.confessionsofareluctantcaregiver.com

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