"The difference between TV as comfort and TV as chaos isn't the screen—it's understanding how the changing brain experiences what's on it."

Do you rely on television to help occupy your loved one's time? Does your care receiver seem agitated or anxious when the TV is on? Have you noticed them leaving the room when a show is playing or struggling to follow programs they once enjoyed?

We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we've learned that what soothes us as caregivers can actually cause distress for people living with dementia. In this episode, we spoke with Allyson Schrier, co-founder and president of Zinnia TV and former caregiver for her husband with frontotemporal dementia, about why regular TV can be problematic and what we can do about it.

Let's explore four essential tips for managing TV time effectively.

Connect with us and share your tips:

• Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/
• Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/
• Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.org, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.org

Full Show Notes

Additional Resources Mentioned

• Zinnia TV https://www.zinniatv.com
• Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney

Takeaways

Read More in This Blog here

Are you struggling to pull your family together to create a working support system for someone living with dementia? Do you find family members disagreeing on what needs to be done or how to help? You're not alone, and there's a path forward.

We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we've learned that transforming family dynamics into effective teamwork is one of the most challenging—yet most rewarding—aspects of the caregiving journey.

In this episode, we spoke with Dr. Barry Jacobs, a clinical psychologist and family therapist who brings both professional expertise and personal caregiving experience to this conversation. Barry cared for his mother with vascular dementia and his stepfather with Alzheimer's disease for seven years, and he co-authored the AARP Caregiver Answer Book with his wife, psychologist Julia Mayer.

This content aligns with Step 8 of our Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap: Start Planning for the Next Stage of Care, particularly when building your personal support network of family and friends.

Connect with us and share your tips:

• Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/
• Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/
• Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.org, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.org

Full Show Notes

https://thecaregiversjourney.org/50-family-dynamics-in-caregiving-four-essential-tips-alzheimers-and-other-dementias/

Additional Resources Mentioned

• Barry’s website www.caregiveranswerbook.com
• Buy the Caregiver Answer Book on Amazon https://amzn.to/4i9V9ZL
• Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap guide https://thecaregiversjourney.org/guides/#guides
• Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney

Takeaways

Transforming your family into an effective caregiving team isn’t easy. It’s worth the effort — not just for your loved one with dementia — but for every member of your family.

These four tips provide a framework:

1. Create consensus (everyone on the same page).
2. Define an ongoing format for decision making (regular meetings with clear rhythm).
3. Build a family caregiving plan (who does what and when).
4. Plan to deal with conflict (don’t let disagreements become disrespectful).

Do you know what you need to do immediately after your loved one passes? Many caregivers don't. Are you worried about missing important tasks or feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of administrative, financial, and legal responsibilities?

We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we've navigated the challenging process of handling death-related responsibilities firsthand. Between us, we've experienced the loss of multiple loved ones and learned valuable lessons about what needs to be done and when.

Connect with us and share your tips:

Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/

Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/

Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.org, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.org

Full Show Notes

If you are following along with our 20 step Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap guide this is part of Step 20. This is the first guide listed on our guides page.

There are many things that can be done ahead of time. We covered these in podcast episode 30 - End of life preplanning and blog as well as in the matching worksheet you can find on our website in the guides section called ‘End of Life Service Worksheet’. Click here to get to the Guides page, scroll down to find the sheet.

Tip 1: Prioritize these things immediately after death1.

Tip 2: Move to this list within the first few days and weeks

Tip 3: Over the next few weeks and months - manage their estate

Tip 4: Focus on the things to prioritize once the estate has been closed