Dementia Caregiver Support for Christians: Tips for Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregivers to Manage Stress, Prevent Burnout & Handle Difficult Behaviors

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Are You a Christian Family Caregiver Feeling Worn Thin by Dementia or Alzheimer’s? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure this out by yourself. Welcome to Dementia Caregiver Support for Christians, the podcast that helps you stop reacting in crisis and start stewarding this season with clarity, calm, and Christ-centered care. Whether you’re a spouse, adult child, or family member trying to walk this journey faithfully, this show meets you at the intersection of practical dementia guidance and biblical encouragement—so you can care for your loved one without losing yourself, your marriage, or your mind. Here, we answer the questions Christian caregivers are actually asking: ✅ What are the stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and how can I prepare for each stage as a caregiver? ✅ How do I survive dementia caregiving without burnout? ✅ How do I handle aggressive or challenging dementia behaviors – like hitting, yelling, or refusing care? ✅ What is sundowning and how can I manage it? ✅ When is it time to move my loved one to a memory care facility or nursing home? ✅ Why does my loved one with dementia keep asking the same questions repeatedly, and how should I respond? ✅ How can I get my loved one with dementia to bathe or maintain hygiene when they resist? ✅ How do I prevent my loved one from wandering or getting lost? ✅ How do I balance caring for my loved one and other responsibilities (kids, job, spouse) without feeling guilty? ✅ What does dementia caregiving look like from a Christian perspective? ✅ How can I maintain my faith and trust in God while caring for someone with dementia? ✅ Why would God allow my loved one to suffer from Alzheimer’s? ✅ How can I cope with caregiver guilt as a Christian? ✅ What does the Bible say about honoring and caring for elderly parents with dementia? ✅ How do I care for my parent with dementia without losing my marriage? This podcast isn’t just about surviving—it’s about stewarding. Because caregiving isn’t a detour from your life. It’s part of your calling. Each episode offers: ✔️ Biblical clarity in the middle of emotional fog ✔️ Practical, research-informed strategies you can actually use ✔️ Guidance that honors your loved one and protects your most important relationships ✔️ Peace of mind that you’re not walking this road alone You won’t find sugarcoating here. You’ll find real help, thoughtful reflection, and truth rooted in Scripture—spoken plainly, practically, and with care. 🎧 Subscribe now to Dementia Caregiver Support for Christians and take the next faithful step forward—with peace, purpose, and a voice you can trust. 📍 Find free resources and tools at: ThinkDifferentDementia.com 📧 Email: lizette@thinkdifferentdementia.com 🙏 May the Lord bless and keep you—and I’ll see you in the next episode.

Episodes

Tuesday Jun 03, 2025

256. How To Get Help When No One Else Really Understands Your Loved One With Dementia

Tuesday Jun 03, 2025

If you've ever felt like the sole interpreter of your loved one’s life—translating their stories, guarding their dignity, and trying to explain behaviors that confuse others—you’re not alone.

In Episode 256, we meet Marty, a Filipina caregiver caring for her British husband in the Philippines. Her story is rich with love... and layered with cultural complexity.

Marty isn’t just a wife. She’s become the memory keeper, the translator, the full-time caregiver, and the only person who understands where her husband’s mind wanders when dementia takes hold.

You may feel like the only one who understands. But you don’t have to walk this journey alone. There is help. There is wisdom. And there is grace for every misunderstanding.

Let God use your love—and your story—as a bridge. Because He sees. He knows. And He’s with you both.

💬 What Do I Say When Dementia Makes Words Hard?
Get the “What Do I Say? How to Connect with Your Loved One with Dementia” — a free guide for Christian caregivers navigating confusion, repetition, and emotional moments.

✅ 10 ready-to-use scripts
✅ Rooted in Scripture
✅ Built on the Therapeutic Truth-Telling™ model
📥 Download it here: https://www.dementiacaregivingmadeeasy.com/script

🤝 You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Join other Christian caregivers who are walking this road too — and learn how to care with compassion, clarity, and faith.
👥 Join the free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementiacaregiversupportforchristians

🗣️ Ask Your Question Live — and Be Heard
Bring your real-life caregiving questions to Ask the Dementia Coach — our free monthly Q&A session.
🗓️ Brought to you every month!
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/ask

🎓 Want to Reduce Overwhelm Right Now?
Join our free workshop:
How to Immediately Reduce Dementia Caregiver Overwhelm and Stress — in 3 Simple Steps
✅ Practical tools
✅ Faith-informed strategies
✅ Same-day results
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

❤️ Enjoy This Podcast?
Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify — it helps other Christian caregivers find encouragement and real help.

Friday May 30, 2025

255. How to Step Into Dementia Caregiving When You Didn’t Choose Caregiving

Friday May 30, 2025

“I didn’t choose this—but I keep showing up. What now?”

If you've ever felt like the reluctant caregiver—the one who didn’t raise their hand but just… showed up—today's episode of Dementia Caregiver Support for Christians is your invitation to stop surviving and start stewarding.

Lizette shares why so many overwhelmed spouses, adult children, and even grandkids stay emotionally stuck: not because they aren’t doing the work, but because they haven’t made the spiritual shift to owning the role God has already assigned.

You may not feel equipped. But that doesn’t disqualify you. God equips those He calls—often in the walking, not just the waiting.

Caregiving doesn’t have to mean confusion. When you anchor your role in biblical truth, you stop reacting and start leading. That’s what the Think Different Dementia Method™ is all about.

What Do I Say When Dementia Makes Words Hard?
✝️ Speak Calm, Not Just Words
Get “What Do I Say? How to Connect with Your Loved One with Dementia” — a free guide for Christian caregivers navigating confusion, repetition, and emotional moments.
✅ 10 ready-to-use scripts
✅ Rooted in Scripture
✅ Built on the Therapeutic Truth-Telling™ model
📥 Download the guide now: https://www.dementiacaregivingmadeeasy.com/script

🤝 You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Join other Christian caregivers who are walking this road too — and learning how to care with compassion, clarity, and faith.
👥 Join the free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementiacaregiversupportforchristians

🗣️ Ask Your Question Live — and Be Heard
Bring your real-life caregiving questions to Ask the Dementia Coach — our free monthly Q&A session. You’ll get support, clarity, and maybe even be featured on the podcast.
🗓️ Brought to you every month!
🎤 Register here: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/ask

🧭 Still Feeling Stuck?
If you’re wondering what’s underneath your stress, the Caregiver Stress Assessment can help clarify what’s really weighing you down — so you can take your next step with peace.
📊 Take the free assessment: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/dca

Tuesday May 27, 2025

254. How to Make Hard Medical Decisions in Dementia Care

Tuesday May 27, 2025

What happens when your medical knowledge says one thing… but your heart, your husband, and your faith point in a different direction?

In this episode, Lizette sits down with Anne, a physical therapist, wife, and Christian caregiver. Anne is navigating the heartbreaking changes in her husband Joel, who has a shunt, possible dementia, and a growing resistance to further medical testing.

Anne knows what tests might give more clarity. But Joel says he’s done.
She wants answers. But she also wants to respect his wishes.
And somewhere in the middle, guilt keeps whispering:
“Are you doing enough?”

This honest episode is for every Christian spouse caught between advocacy and submission, action and acceptance, love and guilt.

Guilt thrives in uncertainty. But clarity creates peace.

When you ask the hard questions early…
When you honor the answers…
When you trust God with what you can’t fix…

You release the weight that was never yours to carry.

🎧 Tune in to Episode 254 and hear Anne’s powerful story of love, faith, and letting go of guilt—while still being the caregiver her husband needs most.

Ever Wonder How To Know What Is Causing Your Caregiver Stress?
Take Our FREE Caregiver Stress Assessment Today!
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/dca

Join our monthly free workshop "How To Immediately Reduce Dementia Caregiver Overwhelm and Stress In 3 Easy Steps"
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

Join the FREE Dementia Caregiver Support Facebook Group today for more support:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementiacaregiversupportforchristians

Are You A Christian Dementia Caregiver Struggling To Cope With Caregiving?
Join the FREE "Ask the Dementia Coach" Monthly Meet Up! And be on the podcast, get support and your questions answered.
https://dementiacaregivingmadeeasy.com/ask

Enjoy our podcast? Please take a moment to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify —it really supports our show!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dementia-caregiver-support-for-christians-conversations/id1716187550

Friday May 23, 2025

253. How To Not Feel Ashamed After A Dementia Diagnosis

Friday May 23, 2025

Have you ever said, “Let’s just keep this between us”?
Or felt the urge to protect your loved one’s dignity by staying quiet about their dementia diagnosis?

In Episode 253, we uncover the quiet danger of shame-fueled silence—and how it grows into stigma, isolation, and spiritual disconnection. This episode speaks directly to Christian caregivers who are walking the tension between honoring a loved one and hiding a hard truth.

Here’s the message: Stigma thrives in silence—but healing begins in truth.

You are not just caregiving.
You are being sanctified through the process.
And you don’t need to do it alone.

🎧 Tune in to Episode 253 and learn how to break the silence, invite your community in, and walk this road with grace, truth, and the body of Christ beside you.

Ever Wonder How To Know What Is Causing Your Caregiver Stress?
Take Our FREE Caregiver Stress Assessment Today!
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/dca

Join our monthly free workshop "How To Immediately Reduce Dementia Caregiver Overwhelm and Stress In 3 Easy Steps"
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

Join the FREE Dementia Caregiver Support Facebook Group today for more support:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementiacaregiversupportforchristians

Tuesday May 20, 2025

252. Therapeutic Truth-Telling: A Better Way to Respond to Delusions in Dementia

Tuesday May 20, 2025

Dementia doesn’t just steal memory—it can distort perception. Paulette’s mom forgets short-term details, grows paranoid, and even plans to have neighbors take her to the bank to “check” if she’s being stolen from—all while Paulette is the one managing her finances, her care, and her household.

The hardest part?
She’s doing everything out of love… and still being doubted.

But this episode reminds us: not every moment is about dementia behavior. There’s always something deeper going on—and that’s why we need a biblical lens to see it clearly.

When accusations arise and trust breaks down, it’s easy to feel like you’ve failed. But caregiving with dementia isn’t just practical—it’s spiritual. You’re navigating heartbreak, identity loss, and deep relational wounds all at once.

🎧 Tune in to Episode 252 to hear Paulette’s story and discover the tools, grace, and truth that will carry you through the hardest parts of dementia caregiving—with God’s help.

Ever Wonder How To Know What Is Causing Your Caregiver Stress?
Take Our FREE Caregiver Stress Assessment Today!
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/dca

Join our monthly free workshop "How To Immediately Reduce Dementia Caregiver Overwhelm and Stress In 3 Easy Steps"
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

Join the FREE Dementia Caregiver Support Facebook Group today for more support:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementiacaregiversupportforchristians

Saturday May 17, 2025

251. How To Biblically Reframe Dying with Dementia With Hope

Saturday May 17, 2025

When someone you love is dying with dementia, it can feel like the world is unraveling—emotionally, spiritually, and physically. You're not only saying goodbye slowly, but also wrestling with deep questions of purpose, loss, and eternity.

In Episode 251, recorded just days before her mother’s memorial, Liz shares an incredibly personal message about how Christians can reframe the dying process in dementia caregiving with hope, clarity, and faith.

Using a brand-new framework called the Caregiver Belief Dyad, she walks us through the spiritual dynamics at play in caregiving relationships—and what Scripture reveals about death, dying, and dignity.

Wherever you find yourself—whether in a spiritually alive dyad, a silent struggle, or caring for someone who doesn’t believe—this journey isn’t random. It’s designed. And God is not done with you.

Ever Wonder How To Know What Is Causing Your Caregiver Stress?
Take Our FREE Caregiver Stress Assessment Today!
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/dca

Join our monthly free workshop "How To Immediately Reduce Dementia Caregiver Overwhelm and Stress In 3 Easy Steps"
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

Join the FREE Dementia Caregiver Support Facebook Group today for more support:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementiacaregiversupportforchristians

Tuesday May 13, 2025

250. How To Really Help A Loved One With Dementia Sleep Better Without Fixing The Wrong Problem

Tuesday May 13, 2025

In the middle of the night, your loved one is walking the hallway again. They’re confused. They won’t sleep. And when you try to comfort them, they can’t understand your words—or they respond with fear, not calm.

Sound familiar?

In Episode 250, we return to Dr. Beth’s powerful story of caregiving—not from a distance, but from inside the home. A trained pediatrician, Beth shares what she’s learning as she cares for her mother-in-law, who has dementia, aphasia, and unpredictable emotional responses.
This isn’t theory—it’s faith, trial, error, and grace in action.

If your loved one has stopped understanding you, don’t give up. They may not remember what you say, but they’ll remember how you show up. God designed us for relationship—and that includes emotional presence, not just spoken language.

🎧 Tune in to Episode 250 to hear more of Dr. Beth’s honest, faith-filled journey—and walk away with practical tools and hope for your own caregiving story.

Ever Wonder How To Know What Is Causing Your Caregiver Stress?
Take Our FREE Caregiver Stress Assessment Today!
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/dca

Join our monthly free workshop "How To Immediately Reduce Dementia Caregiver Overwhelm and Stress In 3 Easy Steps"
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

Join the FREE Dementia Caregiver Support Facebook Group today for more support:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementiacaregiversupportforchristians

Friday May 09, 2025

249. How To View The World’s Lies About Dementia Biblically (Part 2)

Friday May 09, 2025

In Episode 247, we uncovered five common lies that trap caregivers early in their dementia journey—about identity, dignity, and purpose. But the enemy doesn’t stop there. Once you’re deep into caregiving, the lies get sneakier.

In Episode 249, we expose five more dangerous lies Christian dementia caregivers often believe—lies that lead to guilt, fear, and exhaustion—and we counter them with God’s truth.

Think Differently. Live Purposefully. Care Biblically.

These 10 lies (from Episodes 247 & 249) are heavy—but they’re not the end of the story.
God has equipped you for this. He’s walking with you. And He’s inviting you to think and care differently.

🎧 Tune in to Episode 249 to hear how each lie is dismantled by Scripture—and how to take the next step forward with truth and grace.

Ever Wonder How To Know What Is Causing Your Caregiver Stress?
Take Our FREE Caregiver Stress Assessment Today!
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/dca

Join our monthly free workshop "How To Immediately Reduce Dementia Caregiver Overwhelm and Stress In 3 Easy Steps"
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

Join the FREE Dementia Caregiver Support Facebook Group today for more support:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementiacaregiversupportforchristians

Tuesday May 06, 2025

248. How One Physician Juggles Full Time Dementia Caregiving and Family (Part 1)

Tuesday May 06, 2025

What happens when a trained pediatrician suddenly becomes a full-time dementia caregiver? You might think that a medical background would make things easier.
But for Dr. Beth, it was the start of a deeply emotional, confusing, and surprisingly human journey.

In this episode, we hear her honest story—how her mother-in-law’s sudden decline and unexpected recovery turned their family’s world upside down. If you’ve ever felt like you were thrown into caregiving with no clear plan, this episode will resonate deeply.

This episode reminds us that no matter your background, dementia caregiving will stretch you in ways nothing else can. And that’s okay. You’re not failing—you’re learning.

Dr. Beth’s story is a powerful example of how faith, flexibility, and practical support can turn a chaotic season into one of growth and connection.

🎧 Tune in to Episode 248 to hear her journey, and walk away with renewed hope that even in the hard moments, you are not alone.

Ever Wonder How To Know What Is Causing Your Caregiver Stress?
Take Our FREE Caregiver Stress Assessment Today!
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/dca

Join our monthly free workshop "How To Immediately Reduce Dementia Caregiver Overwhelm and Stress In 3 Easy Steps"
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

Join the FREE Dementia Caregiver Support Facebook Group today for more support:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementiacaregiversupportforchristians

Friday May 02, 2025

247. How to Look Biblically At The Lies About Dementia The World Tells (Part 1)

Friday May 02, 2025

What if the biggest struggles you’re facing as a caregiver aren’t just from the outside—but from the lies you’ve unknowingly believed?

In Episode 247, we expose 5 common lies the world tells Christian dementia caregivers—and replace them with biblical truth that brings peace, clarity, and hope.

If you’ve ever felt like your loved one is “losing themselves,” or you’re “alone in this,” this episode will realign your heart with God’s truth and remind you that caregiving is not just a burden—it’s a calling shaped by God’s sovereign design.

You weren’t called to walk this road alone. You were called to walk it with Christ—and with a church that supports you.

Caregiving is not just a response to decline. It’s a response to God’s call to love, serve, and reflect His character in a broken world.

🎧 Tune in to Episode 247 and break free from these lies so you can walk your caregiving journey with truth, peace, and biblical clarity.

Ever Wonder How To Know What Is Causing Your Caregiver Stress?
Take Our FREE Caregiver Stress Assessment Today!
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/dca

Join our monthly free workshop "How To Immediately Reduce Dementia Caregiver Overwhelm and Stress In 3 Easy Steps"
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

Join the FREE Dementia Caregiver Support Facebook Group today for more support:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementiacaregiversupportforchristians

It's time to chose ease...

Are you a family caregiver who is dealing with dementia in your life and you feel overwhelmed with the never-ending challenges you face, and don’t know where to turn for help?

Are you searching for answers to your questions about dementia, joining countless Facebook groups but find them toxic and a waste of your precious time?

Do you want to face your dementia caregiving journey in a proactive way, but feel confused about where to even start?

Are you juggling your marriage, your kids, your work, your faith and your loved one’s life and still feel like you are letting everyone down?

Learning the skills you need to simplify your dementia caregiving may seem hard.

But not learning the skills you need to simplify your dementia caregiving journey will be even harder.

It is time to choose your “hard”.

The choice is 100% yours.

I know what I chose: I chose to have ease in my dementia caregiving journey.

Hey, Dementia Success Seeker!

I’m Lizette Cloete. 30 + year veteran occupational therapist turned into a dementia educator, coach and consultant and I am a daughter of dementia.

In this podcast you will learn the truth that the only way to increase the ease of your dementia caregiving journey rests squarely in YOUR hands.

The way you actively prepare and what you believe about dementia caregiving makes all the difference.

>>>You will gain the practical skills you need to simplify care.

>>>You will be challenged by what it means to be a successful caregiver, teaching you to harness the power of the most powerful caregiving tool that you have: your mindset.

>>>And you will learn exactly what dementia is (and is not), how dementia changes the brain and what you can expect next in your dementia caregiving journey.

You will find a community of like minded family caregivers, helping someone with dementia and you will not be alone anymore.

My mission is to help the unsung heroes who are in the midst of dementia caregiving, with the skills to simplify your dementia care journey so that you don’t feel overwhelmed and burn out.

I help you find clarity and certainty using the latest evidence based research, so you have perseverance for this marathon.

I approach dementia caregiving using faith informed principles that allow you to navigate this journey with peace of mind.

So, warm up your coffee, grab a notebook and pen and be ready to be a Dementia Success Seeker.

It’s time to choose your easy.