In this raw and honest episode, dementia coach and host Dawn Platt tackles the most explosive family conflict she encounters: adult stepchildren battling their parent's spouse over care decisions. Through the story of Robert, his second wife Karen, and his protective daughter Lisa, Dawn reveals why these fights really happen (hint: it's not just about dad's wellbeing), and shares four game-changing strategies to stop the family warfare before it destroys everyone involved. If you're caught in this emotional tug-of-war or watching it tear your family apart, this episode offers the roadmap to peace you've been desperately searching for.

We've all encountered them: the family member who offers little help with daily caregiving but has plenty to say about how you're handling mom's dementia care. In this week's continuation of our Family Conflicts Series, if you're the primary caregiver dealing with criticism from family members who aren't doing the daily work, this episode is for you. Dawn Platt reveals why this frustrating dynamic happens so often in dementia families and shares practical strategies to set boundaries, protect your mental health, and handle the guilt and second-guessing. Learn when it's okay to limit contact and how to shift the conversation from criticism to actual solutions—because those who do the least often criticize the most.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Disappearing Mind, host Dawn Platt continues our family conflicts series by confronting the question every dementia care family eventually faces: whose decision is it anyway? When spouses and adult children clash over care choices, who truly has the right to decide? Through a compelling real-world scenario of a blended family in crisis, Dawn explores the delicate balance between legal authority and emotional reality. She offers practical wisdom for transforming power struggles into collaborative care, revealing how families can honor both relationships and responsibilities while keeping their loved one's needs at the center. An essential listen for anyone navigating the complex intersection of dementia, family dynamics, and decision-making.