Category: CAREGIVING TIPS
CAREGIVING TIPS
The Gift of Validation
October 10, 2025 | 19 Minute Read
After years of caring for his wife, Peggy, with dementia, Graham Bousfield now mentors other caregivers through Duet. In this reflective piece, he shares how learning to validate another person’s reality, rather than correct it, can deepen empathy, strengthen relationships, and transform grief into wisdom.
CAREGIVING TIPS
Denial is not a strategy: Coming to terms with a challenging diagnosis
September 15, 2025 | 24 Minute Read
When a loved one begins showing signs of dementia, Parkinson’s, or another neurological condition, it can feel overwhelming, especially if they resist a diagnosis or deny anything is wrong. In this heartfelt piece from Jewish News of Greater Phoenix, Bob Roth explores why denial is a natural but difficult response, and how families can respond with empathy, gentle conversation, and proactive planning. With the right support, resources, and early intervention, families can help their loved ones maintain dignity, independence, and connection through the challenges of memory and movement disorders.
CAREGIVING TIPS
Looking at Our Mental Health with Intention
August 12, 2025 | 15 Minute Read
While May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, aging and dementia care expert Elaine Poker-Yount reminds us that our mental well-being deserves attention year-round.
CAREGIVING TIPS
Navigating Travel with Dementia
June 12, 2025 | 16 Minute Read
Thinking about taking a trip with a loved one who has dementia? Travel can offer joy, connection, and stimulation but can also bring a lot of stress. Jan Dougherty, dementia care expert, author of Travel Well with Dementia, and founder of TravALZ, shares her top travel tips for caregivers. From choosing the right hotel room to navigating airports with TSA Cares, Jan’s advice helps families travel safely and with confidence. Read this blog to learn how you can plan dementia-friendly travel experiences that preserve dignity and joy.
CAREGIVING TIPS
Dementia Caregiving: The Voice We Don’t Hear
May 24, 2025 | 14 Minute Read
What if your loved one with dementia could tell you exactly how they feel? Aging and dementia care expert Elaine Poker-Yount shares a powerful anonymous letter that offers a rare window into the emotional world of someone living with dementia—reminding us that even when words are lost, the person is still there.
CAREGIVING TIPS
Let’s Talk Alzheimer’s with Elaine Scholly
April 29, 2025 | 3 Minute Read
Elaine Scholly, a family caregiver, author, and dementia educator, shares her personal journey through Alzheimer's in her book Alzheimer’s: Be Aware and Prepared, Caregiving at Any Age. A longtime volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association, Elaine is dedicated to supporting dementia family caregivers with education, encouragement, and practical advice. Her new video series, Let’s Talk Alzheimer’s, offers helpful guidance for those navigating caregiving at any age.
CAREGIVING TIPS
To Dementia Care Partners – Stop Arguing: Focus on Winning the War not Fighting the Battles
April 16, 2025 | 11 Minute Read
Are you finding yourself stuck in the same arguments with your loved one, feeling exhausted and unheard? You’re not alone. Dementia and other age-related changes can impact how someone sees the world and responds to it. Aging and dementia care educator Elaine Poker-Yount encourages care partners to step back, reassess, and shift their mindset from controlling outcomes to fostering understanding. When you change the way you approach conversations, you reduce frustration and create a deeper emotional connection for both of you.
CAREGIVING TIPS
Care Partners vs. Care Givers – Why It Matters
March 5, 2025 | 13 Minute Read
Elaine Poker-Yount, Aging and Dementia Care Educator at Successful Aging AZ, challenges us to rethink our role in supporting a loved one with dementia. Are we care givers, focused on tasks, or care partners, fostering connection and autonomy? Shifting from doing things for someone to doing things with them preserves dignity, encourages engagement, and strengthens relationships. Who do you want to be in your loved one’s journey? This simple mindset shift can make all the difference.