Move Forward with The Caregiver’s Journey

Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio

Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster with The Caregiver’s Journey join host Carol Morgan on this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast episode, Ryan and Treaster discuss transitioning into a caregiver role for a family member with dementia. How does The Caregiver’s Journey support dementia patient caregivers? “I wanted other people to learn faster and more easily than I did because I was so frustrated and overwhelmed and sometimes frightened,” said Ryan. “I prefer to feel confident, balanced and supported, and I wanted to give that to others.” Before starting The Caregiver’s Journey, Ryan and Treaster realized there was a need for easy answers to daily caregiver challenges related to dementia. Ryan points out that there are 100+ types of dementia, each with unique characteristics. Dementia affects everything from cognitive function and mood to depth perception and movement. The nonprofit podcast and online course offer niche advice for caregivers, simplifying the process and promoting the well-being of dementia patients. What are some best practices for caregivers? “The hardest thing for anyone to realize when they walk in the door if they're a first-time caregiver is that when your loved one gets a diagnosis of dementia, you just got a diagnosis of caregiver, and you're not just a caregiver for the person with dementia,” said Treaster. “You are responsible for your care.” Ryan highlights a few tips to keep yourself and your loved one happy and healthy. Give yourself permission not to be okay: She recommends caregivers acknowledge that while your loved one’s life is changing, so is yours. You must accept the change and the feelings that come with it. Find support in others: There are dozens of support groups and resources available to caregivers; you just have to look for them! Talking to others about the challenges, successes and everything in between is essential. Seek an accountability partner: While supporting your loved one, ensure someone is looking out for you. Ryan emphasizes that caregivers can easily neglect their own needs to prioritize the diagnoses of loved ones, but accountability is crucial not to burn out. “It's so easy for us to lose ourselves in our caregiving, and if we don't have someone who holds us accountable for caring for ourselves, we can lose that,” said Ryan. “So, we want to prioritize learning about the diagnosis, but not feeling we need to do it alone.” Stay curious: One of the best ways to care for loved ones is to continue looking for new methods and helpful tips. Don’t compare yourself to others but be willing to learn more. What are some dementia warning signs to look out for? Treaster says that dementia patients are often skilled at hiding cognitive decline. You might brush off the signs the first couple of times, but it may be time to visit the doctor if the same issues keep recurring. Other short-term medical diagnoses can also present as cognitive decline, including vitamin deficiencies and minor infections. “It's easy to brush off the excuses because nobody really wants to answer to be dementia, right?” said Treaster. “But don't let it go because the sooner you could find out it might be something else, or the sooner you can start treating their dementia, the better as well.” How are continuing care communities transitioning to accommodate residents with dementia? There are over 7 million individuals over the age of 65 in the United States with various dementia diagnoses. That statistic is expected to double by 2060. Continuing care communities are implementing day programs that allow dementia residents and outside participants to mingle during the day and special wings that allow residents with similar diagnoses to live near each other. Treaster recommends testing out various programs. Maybe the first program isn’t a great fit; try another one! Day programs offer caregivers a break to care for themselves while loved ones enjoy exciti...