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Dementia Careblazers

Dr. Natali Edmonds

We prepare dementia caregivers for success. Say goodbye to the overwhelm & struggle and learn the real tips, strategies, and solutions that help make dementia caregiving easier. With board certified geropsychologist, Dr. Natali Edmonds

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#205
Thursday · 10 min
What Dementia Caregivers Are Afraid To Say Out Loud
Have you ever had a thought about dementia caregiving that made you feel guilty or ashamed? Something you'd never feel comfortable saying out loud because you're afraid of what other people might think? You're not the only one. In this episode, I'm talking about some of the difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences that dementia caregivers rarely discuss openly. From intimacy and exhaustion after placement to resentment and feeling disgusted by the care, these are real experiences that deserve to be talked about without judgment. Having a difficult thought doesn't make you a bad person or a bad caregiver. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. 📖 Order The Dementia Care Toolkit: https://careblazers.com/toolkit Get free resources that go with the book, including a companion workbook: https://careblazers.com/book ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 1:40 - Sex and physical intimacy 3:02 - Exhaustion after placement 4:40 - Not wanting them to suffer longer 5:56 - Wanting another partner 7:31 - Feeling disgusted by the care 8:24 - Resentment toward family and friends 9:17 - What would you add to the list? #Dementia #DementiaCaregiver #CaregiverSupport Get free weekly tools and tips in my free newsletter, The Dementia Dose: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-podcast --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#204
October 29 · 11 min
3 Things to Avoid Doing With Someone Who Has Dementia (And What to Do Instead)
If you've ever found yourself correcting, arguing with, or trying to reason with someone who has dementia, you're doing what comes naturally. But with dementia, those responses can sometimes make things harder for both of you. Back in 2017, I made a video about three things to never do with someone who has dementia, but I didn't do a very good job of telling you what to do instead. In this episode, I'm sharing all three, what I've changed my mind about since then, and practical strategies you can start using today. That includes the one way reasoning with your loved one can actually work. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. My new book, The Dementia Care Toolkit, goes deeper into these strategies with real caregiver stories, questions, and exercises to help you apply them to your own situation. There's also a free PDF workbook to go with it. ➡️ Get The Dementia Care Toolkit here: https://careblazers.com/toolkit Get free weekly tools and tips in my free newsletter, The Dementia Dose: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-podcast ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Introduction 1:20 - 1. Don't correct them 3:26 - When correcting is the right call 4:06 - 2. Don't argue 4:26 - "That's not him": Do less to de-escalate 6:19 - Why arguing can make things worse 7:23 - 3. Don't reason (and what I've changed since 2017) 8:24 - Reason from their reality 10:15 - Free workbook for these strategies #dementia #dementiacaregiver #dementiacare #caregivertips --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#203
October 22 · 8 min
The One Thing I Wish Every Dementia Caregiver Would Do
Most dementia caregivers already know the one thing that could make a difference. They've heard it over and over again. But knowing what to do and actually doing it are two very different things. In this episode, I share a story from a recent talk where a caregiver told me she'd tried everything to get her husband to stop driving. What happened once we started talking it through is something I want every caregiver to hear, especially when you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed. I'll also explain how the thought "I've tried everything" can keep us from seeing other possibilities, and share a few small ways you can start making room for yourself, even when your time and energy are limited. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. My new book, The Dementia Care Toolkit, shares my essential strategies for challenging dementia behaviors and caregiving overwhelm, including how to adapt those strategies to your own situation when generic advice doesn't work. When you preorder, you'll also get a free 200+ page workbook to help you track what works and become your own best resource. ➡️ Preorder The Dementia Care Toolkit: https://careblazers.com/toolkit → Learn about the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - The advice caregivers already know 0:42 - When the usual dementia driving advice doesn't work 2:31 - Why "I've tried everything" can keep you stuck 3:38 - The one thing caregivers keep putting off 5:41 - Why generic dementia advice doesn't always work #dementia #dementiacaregiver #caregiverselfcare #dementiacare --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
October 19 · 26 min
Why Some Dementia Activities Don't Work (And What Helps)
Helping someone with dementia stay engaged and independent can be challenging, especially when the activities you've tried don't seem to work. But sometimes, small changes in how we set up activities or organize the home can make a meaningful difference. In this episode, I'm joined by Ju Tu, founder of Aegeliss, who turned her family's dementia caregiving experience into thoughtfully designed products that help people with cognitive impairment continue doing more for themselves. ➡️ Shop Aegeliss: https://www.aegeliss.com/nataliedmonds Use code Lovecareblazers for 10% off your first three orders. We talk about why familiar activities like puzzles or folding towels don't always work the way they're usually set up, how visual cues and labels can make everyday tasks easier, and how Montessori-inspired approaches can help people with dementia maintain a sense of independence and purpose. You'll also learn simple things you can try at home, even without buying anything, to make activities more accessible and give your loved one more opportunities to participate on their own terms. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. 📙 Preorder The Dementia Care Toolkit: https://careblazers.com/toolkit → Learn about the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 0:58 - Ju's story of caring for her grandparents 1:56 - What Montessori means in dementia care 3:29 - How losing independence can show up as behaviors 7:01 - Room signs and labels that make home easier 10:14 - Why traditional puzzles can be frustrating in dementia 14:44 - Simple Montessori activities you can try at home 18:12 - Where to place signs so they get noticed 25:20 - The email that keeps Ju going --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#202
October 15 · 9 min
When Your Loved One With Dementia Seems Fine to Everyone Else
When your loved one with dementia seems fine to everyone else, it can leave you feeling like no one believes what you're living with. A sibling says, "Dad seemed great today." A doctor says, "They're doing so well." And you're left wondering if they think you're exaggerating. In this episode, I'm sharing what I told a caregiver who came up to me after a talk with this exact frustration, and what helped me when my own siblings said these things about my dad. I'll walk you through two ways to handle these comments so they don't upset you as much, and explain why someone with dementia can seem perfectly fine during short visits and appointments. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. 📘 My new book, The Dementia Care Toolkit, is available for preorder. It includes an entire section devoted to you, the caregiver, and how to handle the frustration, emotions, and grief that can come with dementia care. ➡️ Preorder The Dementia Care Toolkit: https://careblazers.com/toolkit ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 0:28 - When family says "Dad seems fine" 2:00 - Option 1: Sharing how their comments affect you 3:45 - Option 2: Changing how you think about their comments 6:40 - Why dementia can look so different to others → Learn about the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#201
October 8 · 9 min
3 Things in Dementia That Look Like Lying (But Aren't)
When someone with dementia insists they're still safe to drive, describes a visit that never happened, or swears someone is stealing from them, it can look a lot like lying. Or like they're refusing to see what's right in front of them. But a lie means knowing the truth and choosing to say something different, and that's not what's happening here. In this episode, I'm walking through three common dementia symptoms that can look like lying from the outside: anosognosia, confabulation, and delusions. I'll explain what's going on in the brain with each one, how to tell them apart, and the one response that tends to make all three harder. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. If you're left thinking, "Okay, but what do I actually do when this is happening?", my book, The Dementia Care Toolkit, is filled with strategies you can try in situations just like this. It's available for preorder here: ➡️ https://careblazers.com/toolkit → Learn about the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 1:21 - Anosognosia: when they don't know anything is wrong 3:12 - Confabulation: when the brain fills in a memory gap 4:59 - Delusions: false beliefs that keep coming back 6:01 - What to ask yourself instead of "why are they lying?" --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#200
October 2 · 22 min
5 MORE Strange Dementia Behaviors and Why They Happen
Sometimes the strangest dementia behaviors have a pattern or explanation that isn't obvious at first. Maybe your loved one seems fine earlier in the day but becomes restless every evening. Maybe they follow you everywhere, hide or collect unusual things, believe they're living in a different time of their life, or suddenly seem perfectly fine when the doctor walks into the room. After the first strange behaviors episode, so many of you told me your loved one does these things too, or that the explanation finally helped it make sense. So in this episode, I'm breaking down 5 MORE: sundowning, shadowing, hiding and hoarding, time shifting, and show timing. For each one, I explain what may be happening underneath the behavior and what you can try when it happens. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. Because once you see what the brain may be trying to do, a lot of these behaviors start to make sense. And if you want more ideas for what to do when these moments happen, I have two resources that can help: → Preorder the Dementia Care Toolkit Here: https://careblazers.com/toolkit → Learn about the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 1:39 - #1 Sundowning 6:22 - #2 Shadowing 9:01 - #3 Hiding, hoarding and collecting 13:06 - #4 Time shifting 15:11 - #5 Show timing 18:42 - How all 5 behaviors connect 20:03 - Where to get help with what to try --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
September 28 · 18 min
This Dementia Tool Helps When You're Not There
➡️ Learn more about Memory Board: https://www.memoryboard.com/DEMENTIA24702 When you visit through this link, look for the pop-up with a Careblazers promo code. Paid link: Dementia Careblazers may earn a referral fee from purchases made through this link and promo code. Helping someone with dementia keep track of what's happening throughout the day can mean a lot of reminders, phone calls, notes, and repeated updates. In this episode, I'm talking with Tyler Zannini, founder of Memory Board, about a simple tool families are using to share schedules, reminders, messages, photos, and other updates with a loved one with dementia. We talk about how Memory Board came to be, how families are using it in real life, who it may be helpful for, how it works as dementia progresses, and some practical ways caregivers can use it from a distance. Questions for Tyler's team: hello@memoryboard.com ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Why Memory Board caught my attention 1:25 - How Tyler's grandmother inspired Memory Board 3:02 - What Memory Board is and how it works 4:48 - How families are using it 7:41 - Photos, visitors, and staying connected 12:04 - Can it help in later stages of dementia? 15:25 - Scheduling messages in advance 17:05 - Is there an ongoing subscription cost? --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#199
September 24 · 15 min
4 Common Phrases That Make Dementia Behaviors Worse
There are a few phrases dementia caregivers say all the time that sound completely normal but can actually make dementia behaviors worse. Things like "I already told you," "Don't you remember?" or "You just asked me that" usually come from frustration or from genuinely trying to help. But dementia changes what the brain is able to remember, process, and explain. In this episode, I break down 4 common communication traps, why they can backfire, and what you can do instead. I also get into why the best response for your loved one might be completely different from the best response for someone else, and that is okay. Dementia caregiving isn't about finding one perfect response. It's about learning what works for your loved one with dementia and adjusting as their brain changes. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. 📘 Looking for more practical strategies? My book, The Dementia Care Toolkit: Real Help for Challenging Behaviors and Caregiving Overwhelm, is available for preorder here: https://careblazers.com/toolkit → Learn about the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - The repeated question that wears you down 2:14 - "I already told you" and the reminding trap 3:57 - "Don't you remember?" and highlighting their deficits 5:38 - "You just asked me that" and the repetition awareness trap 6:49 - "Why did you do that?" and the explanation trap 9:40 - Becoming a dementia detective when a behavior makes no sense --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for
#198
September 18 · 22 min
6 Normal Habits That Make Dementia Behaviors Worse
Some of the habits that make dementia behaviors worse come from loving, kind caregivers doing exactly what works with everyone else in their lives. Correcting a mistake, explaining why the medication matters, or asking "do you remember who this is?" can quietly lead to more agitation, resistance, and mistrust. In this episode, I'm walking through six of these everyday habits, why they backfire when someone has dementia, and what you can try instead. You can be completely right and still end up losing the moment. These habits take time to break, and noticing them is where it starts. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. 📘 My book, The Dementia Care Toolkit: Real Help for Challenging Behaviors and Caregiving Overwhelm, is available for preorder now: https://careblazers.com/toolkit Inside, you'll find practical strategies for difficult dementia behaviors, communication, caregiver overwhelm, guilt, grief, frustration, and more. → Learn about the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Why everyday habits can backfire with dementia 2:05 - Habit 1: Correcting 3:55 - Habit 2: Reasoning 8:45 - Habit 3: Arguing 11:40 - Habit 4: Testing their memory 13:00 - Habit 5: Talking as if they aren't there 14:55 - Habit 6: Reminding them what they can't do 17:40 - One question to ask before you respond --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#197
September 10 · 15 min
5 Strange Dementia Behaviors and Why They Happen
Some dementia behaviors can make absolutely no sense from the outside. It can look like your loved one is being lazy, stubborn, rude, in denial, or even lying to you. But there's often a brain-based reason for what you're seeing. In this episode, I break down 5 strange dementia behaviors, apathy, anosognosia, apraxia, disinhibition, and confabulation — and explain what may actually be happening in the brain when they occur. Because when you understand why a behavior is happening, it can completely change the way you see it. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. And if your next question is, "Okay, but what do I DO when this happens?" I have two resources that can help: → Learn about the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc → My new book, The Dementia Care Toolkit is officially available for pre-order. ➡️ Preorder your copy here: https://careblazers.com/toolkit ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Why these behaviors are almost never a choice 1:31 - Apathy and the broken motivation switch 3:51 - Anosognosia and why they do not believe they have dementia 6:12 - Apraxia and why simple tasks stop working 8:26 - Disinhibition and what the frontal lobes control 10:11 - Confabulation and why it is not lying --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#196
September 3 · 8 min
How to Help When Someone With Dementia Knows They're Struggling
When someone with dementia knows they're struggling, they may start doing less and less. They might get frustrated, say things like "I can't do anything right," or stop doing things they used to enjoy. In this episode, I'm talking about why this can happen and, more importantly, how you can help. I'll share some simple ways to support their confidence and adapt activities as their abilities change. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. → Learn about the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - A Careblazer's question: is he losing motivation, or does he know he's struggling 1:23 - What anosognosia actually is, and why this is something different 3:10 - Practical ways to support someone who's aware they're struggling 3:42 - A real story: adapting a beloved hobby instead of giving it up 6:01 - What to watch for, and when to loop in the doctor → My new book, The Dementia Care Toolkit is officially available for pre-order. ➡️ Preorder your copy here: https://careblazers.com/toolkit → Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-podcast --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#195
August 27 · 13 min
Is It Jealousy or Dementia? Why They Act Worse When You're Busy
Have you ever noticed your loved one with dementia is calm, nothing seems to be wrong, and then the moment you shift your attention to someone else they completely change? They get demanding, upset, anxious, or jealous that you are not there giving them attention. It can feel like they cannot stand not being the center of your attention, and understandably that leaves you feeling frustrated, resentful, and confused. It is not jealousy. It is not manipulation. In this episode I share two real life examples of this, explain what is happening in the brain that causes it, and walk you through what actually helps when your attention has to go somewhere else. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. → Learn about the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - When your attention shifts and everything changes 1:16 - Two real life examples from Careblazers 2:52 - Why this is attachment distress, not jealousy 5:07 - Why it feels so personal, and a reframe that helps 5:54 - What actually helps when you have to step away → My new book, The Dementia Care Toolkit is officially available for pre-order. ➡️ Preorder your copy here: https://careblazers.com/toolkit → Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-podcast --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#194
August 20 · 5 min
4 Places Dementia Caregivers Can Turn for Help
Caring for someone with dementia can feel overwhelming, especially when you're not sure where to turn for help. In this episode, I'm sharing several places dementia caregivers can go for support, guidance, and resources, plus one important step families often wait too long to think about. You do not have to wait until there's a crisis to start getting help. The Dementia Care Toolkit is officially available for pre-order. This book was written for the real-life moments of dementia caregiving, the moments when you're overwhelmed, unsure what to do, and need something practical to reach for. ➡️ Preorder Your Copy Here: https://careblazers.com/toolkit ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Two questions from a recent podcast interview 0:38 - Why you don't need to wait until you need help to ask for it 1:01 - Four places to turn for help after a dementia diagnosis 3:37 - What to do the very next day if your loved one was just diagnosed #dementia #dementiacaregiver #caregiverburnout #dementiacare --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#193
August 13 · 10 min
Stop Trying to Make Someone With Dementia Happy All the Time
If you have taken the car keys, stepped in on the checkbook, or said no to something your loved one with dementia badly wanted, you already know what comes next. They are hurt. They are angry. And they are angry at you. I want you to hear this first. Their unhappiness is not a report card on your caregiving. This is one of the hardest parts of dementia caregiving, because it does not just feel hard. It feels like proof you are getting it wrong. And that is exactly what it is not. In this episode I explain why trying to keep your loved one happy all the time puts their safety at risk, what it costs you on the days you have nothing left to give, and the one response almost every Careblazer skips, because we are so busy looking for the dementia response when what we really need is the human response. The Dementia Care Toolkit is officially available for pre-order. This book was written for the real-life moments of dementia caregiving, the moments when you're overwhelmed, unsure what to do, and need something practical to reach for. ➡️ Preorder the Dementia Care Toolkit Here: https://careblazers.com/toolkit → Join the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc → Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-podcast ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Why them being upset with you does not mean you failed 1:27 - Reason one: the things you take away to keep them safe 3:36 - Reason two: what saying yes every time costs you 5:23 - Reason three: the human response we skip 8:03 - What it means when they are sad and you cannot fix it #dementia #dementiacaregiver #caregiverburnout #dementiacare --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#192
August 7 · 8 min
3 Things Dementia Care Gets Completely Backwards
If you've ever felt like every appointment, every follow-up, and every ounce of attention goes to your loved one with dementia while nobody ever asks how you're doing, you're not imagining it. Dementia care as a system was built around the person with the diagnosis, not the person keeping them alive day after day. And it's not just that you get overlooked. Most of what we call dementia care is reactive, waiting for a crisis before it teaches you anything, and even the best behavior advice skips right over the grief you're carrying underneath it. In this episode I break down the three ways dementia care gets it completely backwards, and what actually changes the moment we stop waiting for things to get worse. The Dementia Care Toolkit is officially available for pre-order. ➡️ Preorder the Dementia Care Toolkit Here: https://careblazers.com/toolkit This book was written for the real-life moments of dementia caregiving, the moments when you're overwhelmed, unsure what to do, and need something practical to reach for. ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - The 3 ways dementia care gets it backwards 1:00 - Backwards #1: all the focus goes to your loved one, not you 2:20 - Backwards #2: the system waits for a crisis instead of preventing one 4:44 - Backwards #3: behavior advice skips the grief underneath it 7:13 - What changes when we stop waiting → Join the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc → Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-podcast --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#191
July 30 · 13 min
Memory Care Doesn't Make Dementia Caregiving Easier
You made the hardest decision of your life and moved your loved one with dementia into memory care. Then you waited for the relief you were promised. It never fully came. You still feel completely wiped out after visits, even good ones, and no one has explained why. Placement changes the physical work of caregiving, but it does not turn off your nervous system, your grief, or the recovery your body still needs. In this episode I break down the three real reasons your exhaustion continues after a memory care placement, and what to actually do about it. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. The Dementia Care Toolkit is officially available for pre-order. This book was written for the real-life moments of dementia caregiving, the moments when you're overwhelmed, unsure what to do, and need something practical to reach for. ➡️ Preorder the Dementia Care Toolkit Here: https://careblazers.com/toolkit ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Why the exhaustion hits even after a good visit 1:32 - The misconception that memory care makes things easier 2:34 - Why your nervous system stays on high alert 5:05 - The grief of losing someone who is still alive 8:59 - Three ways to support your own recovery → Join the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc → Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-podcast --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#190
July 23 · 10 min
Could Ozempic Help Prevent Dementia?
You've probably seen the headlines about Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs and Alzheimer's disease. One week it sounds like a breakthrough. The next, not so much. A large study found a much lower rate of Alzheimer's diagnoses in people taking these medications. Then a major clinical trial published this year found something very different. Neither one is wrong. And understanding why matters, especially if you're the one trying to make sense of it for your family. In this video I walk you through what the research on Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs actually found, the meaningful difference between preventing this disease and treating it once it's already there, and what this means whether your loved one already has Alzheimer's or you're a caregiver thinking about your own brain health. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. → Join the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc → Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-podcast ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - The Ozempic and Alzheimer's headlines everyone's seen 0:51 - The study that found a 40 to 70% lower Alzheimer's risk 2:09 - Why a diabetes drug could protect the brain 4:16 - The 2026 clinical trial that changed the picture 5:26 - Prevention vs. treatment: what the research actually means #dementia #dementiacaregiver #ozempic #alzheimers #dementiaresearch --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#189
July 16 · 11 min
Why Dementia Caregivers Stop Feeling Like Themselves
If you're a dementia caregiver who barely recognizes yourself anymore, I want you to hear this before anything else: you are not broken, and you have not become a different person. Years of pouring everything into someone else can quietly erase the parts of you that existed before caregiving ever started. This isn't a personality change. It's what sustained, nonstop caregiving does to a nervous system. There is an actual name for what's happening to you, and once you understand it, it becomes something you can work with instead of something to fear. In this episode I explain what's really going on in your brain after years of dementia caregiving, and I share four specific ways to start feeling like yourself again. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. → Join the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc → Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-podcast ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Why dementia caregivers stop feeling like themselves 1:44 - The psychological term for losing your sense of self 2:47 - How suppressing your emotions changes your brain 4:40 - Four ways to start feeling like yourself again #dementia #dementiacaregiver #dementiacaregiving #caregiverburnout #selfcare --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
#188
July 9 · 11 min
5 Dementia Caregiving Truths I Wish Every Caregiver Knew
Dementia caregiving asks you to carry things nobody prepares you for, and some of the hardest parts are never said out loud. This video isn't based on research. It's based on what I've learned from working with thousands of caregivers over the past 17 years as a geropsychologist. If caregiving still hurts even though you're doing everything right, if people question your decisions, if you can't stop replaying every hard moment in your head, I want you to hear this first: none of that means you're failing. In this episode I walk you through five truths about dementia caregiving I wish every caregiver knew, the ones that can make this whole journey feel a little more possible to live. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. → Join the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc → Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-podcast ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Why this caregiving journey always involves pain 2:40 - Why you can't control how others feel about your caregiving decisions 5:00 - Why you can't take away your loved one's emotional pain 6:50 - Catching the harsh things you say to yourself 7:49 - Why no caregiver has all the answers, and why that's okay #dementia #dementiacaregiver #dementiacaregiving #caregiversupport #alzheimers --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.

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