Unlocking Your Best Caregiver Self: 3 Steps

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.

As a seasoned geropsychologist, I understand the challenges that come with being a dementia caregiver. It's normal to feel frustrated, lose patience, and grapple with difficult emotions. In this video, we dive into the transformative journey of caregiving and how imperfections can be a natural part of the process. If you've ever felt dissatisfied with the person you're becoming while caring for a loved one with dementia, this video is for you. 🌟

👍 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. 💖

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#CaregiverTips #EmbracingImperfection #CaringForLovedOnes #DementiaSupport #SelfImprovement #CaregivingJourney

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We have lot's of free resources and trainings.

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:

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:

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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:

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

[maypalmer]

This is incredibly timely, Dr. Natalie! This is simply of God since I do not like the way I am showing up "on the daily" taking care of my husband (vascular dementia). I have changed and have become depressed and angry taking on so much and loathing the daily "grind" of caring for my husband. Thank you for sharing this information on your channel. You are a Blessing to so many of us out here struggling.

[sandrapride]

At the encouragement of my daughters who said I’d changed, I moved my mother to long term care. It took a long time for me to not feel guilty, but we are both happier and she is safer. I have set up a visitation schedule and am able to travel. I know the mother I grew up with would want this for me.

[debby]

I can so relate to this. I don’t like who I’m becoming either. I have three siblings who refuse to help because “they want to live their lives” while I’ve been doing it 7 days a week for 5+ years. I have become bitter, angry and resentful that not only do I not get to live my life, I don’t even get one day off for a break to breathe. I have tried everything, talking, begging, pleading and tears with no response. As the progression of the disease has become much worse it is even more frustrating. I remind myself that at this point though an adult I need to accept that I’m an only child and that if my mom has to go through this heartbreaking journey then I need to pray for strength to go on this journey with her. I pray a million prayers and cry a million tears.

[russelllew]

Watching yourself in a movie really changes my perspective, not just for caregiving but every thing in dealing with other people. Love your animals. Good video, thank you

[janicetiernan]

Hi I have so many lovely cloths in the wardrobe that never get worn coz we don’t go out for meals etc so decided enough enough I take out two blouses hold them up in front of my hubby and wear the one he points to . He loves to tell me what to wear! Even thou he has no speech now and it’s so hard to understand what he’s trying to tell me, it’s like a first conversation in the morning xx

[djsxkjj]

Thank you so much. The night before we left for a trip to see family I had a melt down. Needing to repeat over and over what was already to pack, then getting blamed for missed items my husband had removed. I just couldn’t do it anymore. I took my favorite hairbrush outside and hit a tree. I looked at the brush and realized how stupid that was. With a new attitude we agreed we were both tired. To go to bed and in the morning check our packing list we had created and all was well again. Thank you for all your help!

[geospg]

My fav ever from you. I am an 85, nearly 86 year old ex Silicon Valley CEO of a public company and internation sports coach, but this whole area has made me feel like a total idiot. 55 years married. Without seeking fame or publicity but a sincere desire to help, if you feel interacting with me video, phone whatever will help you, just let me know. I did my best to not focus on your pets.

[anncurtis]

Good info and timely for me. Please slow down a little however as im old and have trouble following you sometimes.

[reenimelgoza]

Perfect timing. I retired 3 weeks ago so I'm home full time with my mom. I do not like me at all. I will implement this today! Thank you so much.

[pattilowery]

I like seeing the animals, very calming 😻

[rebeccalandersbrown]

Choose again, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Absolutely, I am only human. The Lord is showing me that He can show up when I am too depleted and weary. Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
God bless you Natalie! You bless your trailblazers with every video! Thank you so much!!!

[jennspoint]

Thank you. I really needed this, and this is going to be very helpful for me and my family. ❤

[michhall]

This is Happening to me Right now. I'm getting Depressed as My Husband Gets Worse 😢😢

[elizabethsawyer]

I'm also frustrated with how I show to the people I work for as a caregiver for their mom. Basically they want me spending my time doing deep house cleaning rather than bring with their mom. My point was that if I find her a bit frustrated she needs someone with as she doesn't like to be alone I would stop housework and sit with watching tv listening to music

[larryschoonover]

Great suggestion Natalie! You're Beautiful! I will do these steps. They will be helpful. I will succeed.

[susan]

Such good advice. Keep it simple stupid. Don’t add more drama to the situation. Just start over. Thank you! ❤

[soraydaleal]

Thank you so much Dr Natalie for sharing with us all the you know, praying for you too

[billoliver]

Dearest Natalie,

Before you were born there were high end shops on the west side of Madison Avenue between forty-third and forty fifth. Abercrombie & Fitch for sporting goods; Brooks Brothers for higher end men’s ware; and F.R. Trippler for very high end men’s ware.

Trippler’s was four stories, and my grandfather would stop there when he was in town. When he walked in, the clerks would greet him, and he would walk to the back of the store where he would tell the small elevator operator, “four, please.”

When he stepped off, the clerks were smiling, called him by name, and had a tailor and a couple of suits they thought he might like ready to try on. They knew why he was there.

As I watch your “CareBlazers” videos I smile thinking there is a ladies’ shop somewhere with clerks at the window hoping you will stop in. Have you ever worn the same outfit twice? Congratulations on your good taste. You look mahvahlous, as Father Guido Sarducci might say.

Bill

[tealeh]

I have busted one of my knee pushing my dad on his wheelchair in the streets...i don't have a car and have to use public transportation in our city to get around..i am very tired...i may even lose my job because of all the emergency situations that i get involved...