In this episode of the Dementia Lifeboat Port of Call podcast, Laura Wayman and Jocelyn Ives sit down with caregiver Joe Dunham to talk about the emotional reality of caring for parents with dementia symptoms, medical complications, grief, and caregiver burnout.

Joe shares the heartbreaking and overwhelming experience of navigating dementia care while trying to advocate for his father through hospitals, specialists, assisted living, and end-of-life care. Even with years of dementia awareness experience, he found himself exhausted, confused, emotionally overwhelmed, and struggling to manage everything at once.

This episode answers important caregiver questions like:

• What does dementia really look like in everyday life?
• What are dementia symptoms beyond memory loss?
• Why do caregivers feel overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted?
• How do you support someone with dementia when doctors aren’t listening?
• What helps caregivers cope with grief, guilt, fear, and burnout?
• How can families become more dementia aware?

You’ll learn:

• Why dementia symptoms often involve loss of executive function, not just memory loss
• How emotional awareness changes dementia caregiving
• Why caregivers need support too
• Practical ways to reduce overwhelm and take things one moment at a time
• The importance of asking for help and building a support system
• How compassion and dementia awareness can improve care for everyone involved

This conversation is for family caregivers, professional caregivers, healthcare workers, assisted living staff, and anyone supporting a loved one with dementia, Alzheimer’s, cognitive decline, or memory care needs.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted, confused, guilty, or alone while caring for someone with dementia, this episode will remind you that your feelings are valid and that you are not alone.

Follow for more dementia caregiver support, dementia education, emotional resilience tools, and real conversations about caregiving.

laurawayman.com/podcast