This week's episode showcases the incredible journey of Betsy Wurzel, a lifelong caregiver who began caring for others at the tender age of 4. Betsy's unwavering dedication is evident as she recounts her experiences caring for her mother-in-law, father, and her husband Matthew, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's at the age of 56.

Throughout her caregiving journey, Betsy emerged as a fierce advocate, championing the cause of Alzheimer's awareness and support. She pioneered the "Kick Alzheimer's" movement, igniting a spark of hope and rallying others in the face of dementia. Balancing the demands of a career and being a full-time caregiver, Betsy found solace and strength with the invaluable support of her son Josh.

In the face of countless challenges spanning many years, Betsy's resilience and unwavering compassion shine through. Her story serves as an inspiration, reminding us of the power of resilience and compassion during life's most trying moments.

What you will learn from this episode:

1. Education is important for caregivers to understand a loved one's diagnosis better and how to manage behaviors.
2. The need to advocate for yourself and your loved ones, especially regarding care needs and services.
3. That caregiving is a marathon, not a sprint, and taking care of your mental health along the way is important.
4. Celebrate your loved one's life daily and on special occasions, even after passing. Don't forget to honor their memory.
5. Early-onset Alzheimer's and other dementias are more common than people realize and can impact people of any age.

About Betsy:

Betsy Wurzel has been a caregiver her whole life. At age 4, she decided to become a nurse when her mother battled pneumonia. She worked as an LPN for many years while also holding retail and preschool education roles. In 1980, she married Matthew Sloan, and they had a son named Josh in 1984. Betsy became an advocate due to Josh's cognitive disability, and later extended her advocacy to her mother-in-law with Alzheimer's and her husband with memory issues. 

To raise awareness about Early Onset Alzheimer's and caregiving, Betsy recorded and shared her experiences in car videos. In June 2018, she was recognized by Jeanne White, Station Manager of PWTRN, who invited her to speak on her Connect Show. By September 2019, Betsy had her own show, "Chatting with Betsy," where she discusses various topics with guests. In February 2019, Betsy founded the "# Kick Alzheimer's Ass Movement Group" on Facebook, creating a supportive community for caregivers with help from her friend Lorri Lorraine Lepore. Her tireless efforts were acknowledged in November 2021 when she received the Caregiving Visionary Advocate Award from Caregiving.com.

Support the show

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Sisterhood of Care, LLC

Website: www.confessionsofareluctantcaregiver.com

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