Help! Now I'm a caregiver

We're all trying to adapt to this "stay at home" way of life right now, fearful of the invisible Coronavirus and how it could affect us and possibly take the life of the ones we love most. As a caregiver, your daily existence is likely more stressful than ever as you isolate and protect your elderly loved one from this deadly disease. This podcast with Dr. Lucille Carriere, of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, will bring you some peace of mind and ways to take care of yourself, as we all navigate this pandemic.

Keeping your elderly relative safe during this COVID-19 pandemic can be challenging; I know you're worried. Maybe you're one of the few still going to work and need a safe, healthy environment for your loved one with Alzheimer's/dementia to spend their time, but is senior daycare a good option right now? What if they're home-bound and it's not safe for someone to go in and check on them for fear of carrying in the Coronavirus? Or maybe you are uncertain about the boundaries to keep for caregiving at home? I'm speaking with Jeffrey Klein of Nevada Senior Services who shares his years of expertise caring for the elderly. You can read more about their organization at www.nevadaseniorservices.org

Are you new to this? Feeling overwhelmed and wondering how to navigate your new journey? Sherry shares her experience--what her road looked like before and after her mom's diagnosis. She understands that the one thing you are likely lacking right now is time and support. Please take a moment and find out how Sherry's experiences might compare with yours.

Jessica Kubzansky directs "The Father" in production at the Pasadena Playhouse. Listen to how this award-winning director used her first-hand experiences to direct this important play about the reality facing caregivers of our loved ones living with Dementia. https://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/event/the-father/

One of the many challenges as a caregiver is trying to understand what your loved one is feeling or thinking as you both navigate the unknown territory of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Some days you’re so busy, you can barely come up for air, but if you can cross that chasm of communication it will help increase your compassion for their daily frustrations and in turn, may be ease yours. Nancy Nelson, at age 76, lives with declining cognitive impairment, and her tenacious resolve to stay in control of her mind and spirit has made her a powerful activist for finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. But it doesn’t come easy. Nancy shares her daily struggles and implores caregivers to take the time to feel the disease through your loved one’s heart and mind.

One of the many challenges as a caregiver is trying to understand what your loved one is feeling or thinking as you both navigate the unknown territory of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Some days you’re so busy, you can barely come up for air, but if you can cross that chasm of communication it will help increase your compassion for their daily frustrations and in turn, may be ease yours. Nancy Nelson, at age 76, lives with declining cognitive impairment, and her tenacious resolve to stay in control of her mind and spirit has made her a powerful activist for finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. But it doesn’t come easy. Nancy shares her daily struggles and implores caregivers to take the time to feel the disease through your loved one’s heart and mind.

Come on, caregiver, you gotta find the joy and keep up the family traditions for the holidays. Or do you? Your role in life has changed and now everything has to give a little, too! In part two of Sherry's conversation with Ruth Almein from the Cleveland Clinic, Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, it may be time to break from holiday tradition for you and your family in order to keep your sanity. Sherry would love to hear from you. Contact her via email at helpthecaregiver@gmail.com

The holidays are full of cheer and stress for everyone. But for a caregiver, your stress can be off the charts and something’s gotta give. Sherry’s guest, Ruth Almein from the Cleveland Clinic, Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, has some great advice for you, the caregiver, on creating new joy and traditions for your loved one living with Alzheimer's or another dementia. Sherry would love to hear from you. Contact her via email at helpthecaregiver@gmail.com