Do you leave your loved one’s doctor’s appointments feeling intimidated or confused instead of empowered? Do you wish you had a clearer role in shaping their care? Many caregivers feel this way, and there is a better way to approach these visits. We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we know how much rides on every doctor

Did your loved one recently receive a diagnosis of dementia? Have you already worked through the first six steps of the Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap? If so, you’ve built a solid foundation, and it’s time to keep going. We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we created the Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap to

“There’s no perfect option out there, and there’s no community that’s going to check every single box.” — Kelly Graffius Are you facing the moment you hoped would never come, trying to choose the right memory care community for your loved one? If you are not sure where to start, you are not alone. We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types

"Two words have been the foundation of every decision I made across all of my caregiving roles — safe and happy. Before every choice, I would ask, does this help my loved one be safe? And does this support them being happy?" — Sue Ryan There was a moment in a doctor's office when five neurologists agreed on one word: dementia. In that moment, Sue looked at her husband Jack, squeezed his hand, and

Did your loved one recently receive a diagnosis of dementia? Are you at a loss for what to do next? Maybe you’re overwhelmed because you can’t find the information you need — or maybe it’s the opposite, and you’re drowning in so many conflicting resources that you don’t know where to start. We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dem

“When I look back on my caregiving experience, I found a purpose and a true sense of self that I didn’t know I had. Yes, there was a lot of drama and a lot of trauma, but I look back and think - this was a great experience and something I feel good about doing for the people I love.” - Nancy Treaster There’s a moment in dementia caregiving where you realize your relationship has fundamentally chan

Have you ever felt overwhelmed searching for the right information at the right time, or found yourself drowning in conflicting resources that leave you more confused than when you started? You’re not alone. Dementia family caregiving is a long journey, and it looks very different depending on where you are in it. We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’

Do you feel completely alone in your caregiving journey? No family backup, friends have faded away, and you can’t afford professional help? You are not alone — and there is real help available, often at little or no cost. We are Elizabeth Miller of Happy Healthy Caregiver and Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster of The Caregiver's Journey. In this podcast we’ve joined forces with - together we’ve lived it,

“When families are prepared — physically, emotionally, logistically — they are able to handle these moments a lot differently. There’s less panic, less guilt, and a little bit more empowerment.” — Dr. Taylor Rush One minute, everything’s fine. The next minute, your loved one is on the floor. If fall prevention isn’t on your radar yet — or if you’re waiting until after the first fall happens — you’

"Once caregivers get it, they're like, 'My gosh.' You just have to train yourself to walk around the brick wall to the moment, the now, and the imagination." — Anne Basting Do you struggle to create meaningful connections with your loved one living with dementia? Almost all of us do. You're not alone — and there are concrete tools you can learn right now to change that. We are Sue Ryan and Nancy T

“I don’t think any of us should be trying to assist a person with dementia without first walking in their shoes.” — PK Beville, Ph.D. Have you ever wondered what it actually feels like to live with dementia? Do you find yourself struggling to understand why your loved one behaves the way they do, wishing you could see the world through their eyes- even for a moment? There’s a powerful tool that ca

WOOP is a very practical technique for anything from emotions to something on your to-do list — it can be used for many different kinds of wishes." — Donna Fedus How many times have you been told that taking care of yourself is really important — and felt overwhelmed just thinking about it? You are not alone in this struggle, and there is a simple, evidence-based process that can help. We are Sue

"While we can't reverse aging, regular mental activity — these exercises, regular cognitive engagement — helps keep cognitive skills stronger for longer. It's like exercising your body." — Dr. Daniel Fenton What if you could make small changes and have more intentional conversations with your loved one that actively stimulate their brain? You're not doing one more thing — you're simply being more

As a family caregiver, you spend so much time worrying about your loved one's brain health. But what about your own? The good news is that there are real, evidence-backed steps you can take to improve your brain health and reduce your risk of cognitive decline — even in the midst of a demanding caregiving journey. We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer'

Have you ever heard of a certified senior advisor? Would you even know what you needed or how to find one? You're not alone if the answer is no — and there are clear steps you can take to get the right help at the right time. We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we understand how overwhelming it can be to recognize when

“Support groups are like lifelines — we’re around other people who are going through the same thing we are, and we know we’re not alone.” Kim Franklin Do you wonder if support groups are right for you? Do you know how to find one that fits your needs? Are you feeling overwhelmed and isolated in your caregiving role? We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheime

"One of the hardest parts in spousal caregiving is accepting that we're no longer just partners. We're now caregiver and care receiver. The loss of our emotional and physical partner and the emotional responsibilities we're taking on can really take an enormous toll." Are you struggling to find balance between being a spouse and being a caregiver? Do you find yourself wondering when the shift happ

“What really helps is grounding yourself in three things: what change you’re noticing, how different it is from who this person has always been, and whether it’s getting worse over time.” — Dr. Anna Chodos Are you concerned that your loved one is showing early signs of dementia? Do you find yourself noticing changes but unsure whether they’re significant? You’re not alone in this uncertainty, and

“An accurate early dementia diagnosis is essential. It can make a significant difference in how families navigate the diagnosis.” Esther Kane, MSN, RN Your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia… but do you ever wonder if they’ve been diagnosed with the correct type? Do you find yourself thinking: “This diagnosis doesn’t quite fit what I’m seeing.” You’re not alone. Getting the correct diagnos

"Dementia is not just a medical journey, but it's a financial and emotional one." – Devon Banning, CFP Are you avoiding the financial conversation with your loved one because it feels uncomfortable or overwhelming? Do you find yourself wondering how you'll afford care as your loved one's needs increase? Are you concerned about making the right financial decisions during this challenging time? We a