You & Me Aging and Dementia Coaching

12/09/2024

Are you feeling the strain of caregiving this holiday season? 💜

👉 Download the Holiday Guide here: https://www.youandmeaging.com/pl/2148601722

Our Holiday Guide answers the most common questions caregivers have about navigating the holidays with someone living with dementia. From managing traditions to creating meaningful moments, this guide will help you approach the season with confidence.

Plus, don’t miss our January webinar for more tips and strategies to lighten your caregiving journey.

👉 Download the guide and learn more about our caregiver webinar here: https://www.youandmeaging.com/pl/2148601722

12/05/2024

Most of us learn early on that truth and honesty are highly valued virtues.

However, truth and honesty are not quite the same thing.

Being truthful means sharing factual information, while being honest involves expressing your feelings and opinions accurately.

Truth is factual—often subjective— and can sometimes lead to conflict.
Honesty is relational and emotional— and has the power to heal.

When dementia is involved, confronting your loved one with every fact may not always be in their best interest.

Stress and changes in cognition can affect their ability to process information logically, so facts might not be interpreted as you expect.

In these situations, emotions play a more prominent role, giving you an opportunity to offer meaningful support.

For example:

Truth: “It’s not safe for you to live alone; you need to move to a place where people can help you.”

Honesty: “I’m excited you’ll be living closer to me.”

Consider what you would want to hear if you were in their position.

Here’s another example:

“I want to help with your finances because I love spending time with you” is received better than...

“I’m taking over your finances because you keep giving your money away to scammers.”

When you think about it—their heart is in your hands.

So, when the truth might hurt, honesty is the best policy.

You can become your greatest masterpiece! Let us be your guide.

🔗 Share this post to support others on their caregiving journey.
✨ Visit youandmeaging.com for practical insights and expert guidance.

12/05/2024

Most of us learn early on that truth and honesty are highly valued virtues.

However, truth and honesty are not quite the same thing.

Being truthful means sharing factual information, while being honest involves expressing your feelings and opinions accurately.

Truth is factual—often subjective— and can sometimes lead to conflict.

Honesty is relational and emotional— and has the power to heal.

When dementia is involved, confronting your loved one with every fact may not always be in their best interest.

Stress and changes in cognition can affect their ability to process information logically, so facts might not be interpreted as you expect.

In these situations, emotions play a more prominent role, giving you an opportunity to offer meaningful support.

For example:

Truth: “It’s not safe for you to live alone; you need to move to a place where people can help you.”

Honesty: “I’m excited you’ll be living closer to me.”

Consider what you would want to hear if you were in their position.

Here's another example:

"I want to help with your finances because I love spending time with you" is received better than...

"I'm taking over your finances because you keep giving your money away to scammers."

When you think about it—their heart is in your hands.

So, when the truth might hurt, honesty is the best policy.

12/02/2024

🔗 Share this post to support others on their caregiving journey.
✨ Follow You and Me Aging and Dementia Coaching for practical insights and expert guidance.

11/26/2024

When all is said and done, how do you want to look back on this journey?

Hi! We're Robin Andrews Smith and Lee Mohler.

With over 30 years of combined experience in senior living and dementia care, we recognize the challenges families face when considering assisted living, particularly in the context of dementia. These challenges often include managing feelings of guilt, fear of emotional responses, waiting for agreement, and navigating complex family dynamics, among others.

The emotional weight of the transition can lead you to respond in ways that don't serve you or your loved one. That's where our coaching comes in. We focus on the emotional and relational aspects, like how you communicate, the words you choose, and your overall approach. We'll help you take a heart-centered approach, ensuring the journey is a smoother one.

Trust in our expertise during this life-changing journey and let us be your guide!

Transitioning a loved one into assisted living or memory care is more than a physical move; it's an emotional journey that deserves thoughtful attention. Our coaching will prepare you to adapt your communication, support your loved one's emotions, and make decisions with confidence.

11/22/2024

Caregiving Truth: It’s Okay to Feel This Way

Have you ever thought, "I don’t want to do this anymore"? It’s a tough thought to have, but it’s also completely normal. Caregiving is one of the hardest roles you can take on, and feeling overwhelmed or frustrated doesn’t make you a bad person—it makes you human.

Instead of pushing those feelings aside, try acknowledging them. Tell yourself, "This is hard, and it’s okay to feel this way." A little self-compassion can go a long way.

You don’t have to do this alone. Contact us today to learn how to ease the strain and support the person in your care in meaningful ways.

11/19/2024

Reminder: Family Caregiver Webinar is Today - Nov 19 - at 3 PM!

Do you feel a loss of control? Is your loved one challenging you?
Are you feeling overwhelmed?

Join us this afternoon for Feeling the Caregiver Strain and learn the #1 skill to help you navigate these challenges.

It’s practical, actionable, and something you can start using right away.

Register Now: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sXPmhSMRTw-P1GG_rixcPw

11/14/2024

Stress affects us all—and it’s amplified for family caregivers.

It often grows in the midst of three key conditions:
* Loss of control
* The feeling that things are getting worse
* Not being able to predict what comes next

While these conditions can strain anyone, family caregivers are particularly impacted.

Faced with the daily demands of caregiving, they often lose control over their time and priorities.

Watching a loved one’s decline can heighten feelings of helplessness, while the unpredictability of each day adds to their stress.

Many caregivers shoulder these burdens and emotional weight alone, intensifying their sense of isolation.

If you know someone caring for a family member, don’t hesitate to reach out—sometimes, the smallest gestures can lift the heaviest burdens.

Invite them to lunch, spend time with their loved one to give them a break, or simply check in. Your support might be the lifeline they didn’t know they needed.

And, if you’re the one carrying this weight…give your friends and family the opportunity to help; they just might not know how. Let them in—you don’t have to do this alone.

Share with someone who needs to hear this.

11/11/2024

This Veterans Day, we honor and thank all who have served. Your courage and sacrifice mean more than words can say. Today and every day, we’re grateful for you.