Caregivers, Self Care Is A Lie

It’s our mission to make dementia caregiving easier for families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, or any other type of dementia. We believe that in order to create a more dementia friendly world, we must first create a caregiver friendly world. That's why we create free educational training videos like this one so that anyone with an internet connection can get access to dementia care information.

Hey there, Careblazers! 👋 Are you tired of the whole "self-care" struggle? I feel you. But what if I told you there's a better way? Say hello to "Life Care" - a game-changer for caregivers like us! 🌟

Share your self-care routines and life-care practices in the comments below. Let's normalize the concept of life care and support one another in this crucial journey of caregiving. Remember, it's about total well-being, not just the self.

👍 If this information helps you, please like, follow, and share to spread awareness.
Leave any questions or suggestions for future videos in the comments below. 💖

🐶 Meet Niko:
Niko gives belly rubs for every subscriber! Click the red subscribe button (it's free) and say hi to Niko. 🐾

🕒 Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction
1:15 The Self Care Myth
2:45 Life Care vs. Self Care
4:10 The Ripple Effect
5:20 Breaking Free from Guilt

#CaregivingJourney #LifeCareOverSelfCare #DementiaSupport #EmbraceWellness #CaregiverEmpowerment

We have lot's of free resources and trainings.

Our Dementia Careblazer Survival Guide has been downloaded over 100,000 times by caregivers around the world.

YouTube Playlists To Learn More:

Dealing with Challenging Behaviors:

__
DISCLAIMER: The content of this video - or any content by Dementia Careblazers - does not replace the need for healthcare professionals. Our content is not healthcare advice and is not a substitute for your own healthcare. It is for general education and demonstration only. Do not use this content to self-diagnose or self-treat any health, medical, or physical condition. By consuming content from Dementia Careblazers, you agree to hold harmless and indemnify Dementia Careblazers LLC for any and all losses, injuries, or damages resulting from any and all claims that arise from your use or misuse of this content. All content or recommendations on the company’s website, social media, blog, or email series. All comments from Dementia Careblazers’ are expressions of opinion only.

In case you haven’t met me, my name is Natali Edmonds and I am a board certified geropsychologist. That means that I am a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with older adults. One day, while hiking a trail, I came up with the idea for Careblazers and I decided to see if posting videos online could provide help to the many other Careblazers in the world who don’t get to have help come directly to them in their homes. I hope that this work helps you in some way on your caregiving journey.
#careblazer #dementia #dementiacare

[DementiaCareblazers]

Interested in diving deeper into caregiving skills and techniques? Check out our free training, How to care for someone with dementia without feeling overwhelmed, confused, and anxious, by clicking the link below:

[aerochicc]

I took care of both of my parents before they passed and simply grabbing a shower was the hardest thing in the world.

[AlpacaRenee]

Women have been guilt-tripped for taking care of themselves for decades. And then, we are judged for ‘letting herself go’ and putting on weight etc. I guess we’re just supposed to give, give, give until we’re used up, without complaint.

You’re right Dr. Natali, it IS life care. We have to fill ourselves up so we can keep giving to others.

[lorettawatkins]

A caregiver I know asked her neighbors to give her their used magazines. She recycles them but leafs through them first, enjoying a cuppa tea and a "free" bit of entertainment each day. Genius!

[amtrue_]

I agree, life care, to me is mine, it's personal, it's free, it's my joy. 10 minutes sitting on my parents patio, looking at the plants. As I water the plants, I am watering my soul.

[Tonyacp]

I run at least a mile everyday. That 10-15 minutes is my me time while doing something good for myself

[kimberlybamford]

Thank you Natalie for reminding me I need care myself too. I’ve actually rescheduled my MRI 3 times now. And If I don’t care for me no one will be here to care for my husband. Love all your great help and support and advice. 😊

[nemesis]

I am taking care 24/7 of my mother ( who obviously suffers from dementia) . Every 2 days I go to our local cafe ( I live in a tiny village somewhere in the north of Greece) That is my time away from mum. Thankfully my son keeps an eye on her while I am there collecting my thoughts with a warm cup of coffee and watching the " old souls" talking about how good life was when the world was still ok .

[alcole]

A year into caregiving my wife, I gained 25 pounds, BP hit 180. Light bulb moment--if I go down, Game Over. Started walking 3 miles a day, dropped 25 pounds. Had I not, I wouldn't have had the strength I would need as things progressed.

[kellialexander]

Thank you for reminding us of this. Sometimes, I do go into the "guilt" of doing things without my husband & the need to get away. Life Care is a must!!!

[elizabethmitchell]

I absolutely using life care instead of self care. I am going to change the narrative in my mind. Thank you for all of your encouragement.

[geraldkoger]

Maybe the most important vid. We must understand that we are the front line, if we go down then our loved one will end up in some type institution.

[HealingHeartIssues]

This is timely as a confirmation, because just yesterday, I was realizing that a deep level that taken care of myself is truly the most unselfish thing I could do for my husband with dementia. My biggest issue is sleep; if I don’t get to sleep by a certain time, it seems like everything goes awry physically for me. So I will get to bed on time even if it means that I haven’t helped my husband with his nightly rituals. Last night he forgot to use his CPAP machine. I refused to feel guilty bc I was taking care of myself.

[franceskeeley]

I appreciate your Careblazers videos. You're an excellent presenter.

[randolphnitz]

I appreciate your CareGiver videos. I follow your videos even though my loved one passed away.

[KAVIANSTREET]

As a massage therapist, I can’t agree with this more.

[saramarshall]

❤Extending more compassion to ourselves can be so powerful. I find when I’m able to acknowledge my pain in the midst of my struggle, space gets created and I feel more freedom. By recognizing that our reality is tough, that the pain that comes along with caregiving is challenging, and that we are only human, can allow us to release some of our feelings of despair and guilt.

[marieapplesgate]

I definitely quit my own care. That didn’t help my Mom at all. After she died-one year ago, I continue doing nothing for my life care. Trying to improve but have neglected lots of things that were listed. Still do. It’s tough.

[jennyrosd]

I prefer "me time". Straight and to the point.

[anitarice]

I think even qualifying our reason for "life care" because that it will "benefit others" still diminishes our right to somehow care for ourselves...just for the sheer joy of doing something pleasurable....without having to use the good of someone else as a pass.