Dementia Caregiver Support for Christians: Conversations for Christian Caregivers Seeking Clarity and Faithful Dementia & Alzheimer’s Care Decisions

304. Can a Christian Caregiver Move a Parent With Dementia Who Refuses? — Understanding Capacity and Competency

Have you ever wondered what happens when doing what is safe for your parent doesn’t feel secure in your heart? That is exactly the question we are wrestling with today.

In this episode, I’m talking with Jodi, a repeat guest who is facing a heartbreaking dilemma. Her mom has lived in New York her whole life and refuses to move to Florida where Jodi and her brother live, even though her safety is at risk. She’s missing medications, she has fallen, and the strain on the sister living nearby is becoming too much.

We are stepping right into the hard questions today:

Capacity vs. Competency: 
Just because your parent hasn’t been declared legally incompetent doesn’t mean they have the capacity to understand the consequences of staying home alone. Are you "letting" them make a decision they no longer understand?

The "Safe Discharge" Window: 
We discuss the critical opportunity Jodi’s family missed when her mom was in a nursing home—and how you can use a "safe discharge" plan to prevent an unsafe return home.

Preempting the Crisis: 
Instead of waiting for the next fall or emergency to force a move, we talk about how to have the hard family meeting now. You need to decide: are we going to fight the battle now to ensure safety, or wait for a crisis where we have no choice?.

If you are feeling guilty because you are setting boundaries, remember: your God-given roles (like being a wife or mother) must come first. You do not have to figure this out alone. Let’s find a way to honor your parent and keep them safe, without losing your peace.

 

Don’t walk alone. The Christian DigniCare Society (lifetime, under $100) gives you community, coaching, prayer, and practical tools. 
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/cds

 

💬 What Do I Say When Dementia Makes Words Hard?
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.
📥 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.
🎤 Register here: 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
🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

 

🧭 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

 

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

303. How Christian Caregivers Can Prepare Wisely When Dementia Begins — Medicaid Planning Basics

“Everything looked right on paper… but it wasn’t the best plan for our family.” If you’ve ever felt that, Episode 303 is your compass. I sit down with Greenville attorney Chase Campbell to unpack Medicaid basics so you can prepare wisely when dementia begins—without fear, and with biblical stewardship.

1) Start sooner than feels necessary.
The best time to plan was yesterday; the second best is today. Early action widens options, especially around the five-year look-back (gifts and transfers are reviewed). Longer runway = more flexibility and protection.

2) Lock in essential documents—for them and for you.
Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care POA, and a Will (consider trusts where appropriate). Revisit about every three years—people move, die, or become unable to serve. God is not a God of confusion; order brings peace.

3) Don’t mix up Medicaid and Medicare.
They’re different programs that sometimes overlap. Apply to the right Medicaid program or you’ll be denied (yes, it happens!). Learn your state’s options, including Community Long-Term Care (CLTC) that can help you keep loved ones at home.

4) Know your planning lane: crisis vs. pre-planning.
Crisis = already in/entering care. Pre-planning = earlier, steadier moves (e.g., trusts, transfers). Strategy varies by asset type (home ≠ bank ≠ retirement); think “squeezing a balloon”—push here, it bulges there. Balance matters.

5) Choose the right attorney.
Look for fit and clear explanations—the “big-picture” guide who connects legal steps to family dynamics, caregiver health, and practical realities. Ask them to map the whole mosaic, not just one tile.

Bottom line: begin, document, distinguish programs, pick your lane, and get a guide. If you want help walking it out, our Christian caregiver community is ready with prayer, practical tools, and real next steps—because stewardship is part of our sanctification.

 

Don’t walk alone. The Christian DigniCare Society (lifetime, under $100) gives you community, coaching, prayer, and practical tools. 
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/cds

 

💬 What Do I Say When Dementia Makes Words Hard?
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.
📥 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.
🎤 Register here: 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
🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

 

🧭 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

 

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

302. How to Stop Fearing the Future Dementia Decline — Christian Caregivers and Anticipatory Grief

Are you lying awake imagining worst-case scenarios? 
In Episode 302, I talk with Linda — a Christian caregiver whose mind is constantly racing with all the “what ifs.” Maybe you know that feeling too.

What do you do when anticipating the decline steals your peace?

This week’s episode tackles that dread head-on. We talk through something called anticipatory grief — the emotional weight caregivers carry before anything “bad” even happens. Linda admitted, “I read too much and now I just expect it to all go badly.” That’s honest. And it’s more common than you think.

But God doesn’t call us to carry imaginary futures. He calls us to steward today.

Here’s what we cover:
The problem with “pre-grieving” — and how it steals your ability to see what’s still good.
Why reading every doom-filled article on dementia won’t make you more prepared — just more panicked.
A new metaphor: What if caregiving is like learning to fly an airplane?

You’ll walk away from this episode with a clearer head and a calmer heart — knowing you’re not failing, you’re just human.

 

🔗 Don’t walk alone. The Christian DigniCare Society (lifetime, under $100) gives you community, coaching, prayer, and practical tools. 
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/cds

 

💬 What Do I Say When Dementia Makes Words Hard?
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.
📥 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.
🎤 Register here: 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
🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

 

🧭 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

 

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

301. How to Advocate When Doctors Don’t Listen: Speak Healthcare, Protect Dignity

“Have you ever walked into an appointment knowing exactly what your loved one needs—then left feeling invisible?” That’s where Mary was when a therapist pushed beyond her husband’s limits and a dentist proposed a plan that ignored his stage of life.

As always, I began with my focusing prompt: “Six months from now, what would have to change for caregiving to feel easier—while stewarding your health and relationships?” Mary’s answer? Clarity, and care that actually fits her husband.

1) Speak healthcare—brief, specific, functional.
Don’t just give a diagnosis; describe what happens after the provider leaves. Try: “When you used the cane in therapy, he believed he could use it all day. That raised fall risk. Please train strength/balance without introducing a cane; he must remain on the walker.” This protects the other 23 hours.

2) Ask the right therapist, for the right work.
PT = strength, balance, gait; OT = safe transfers, environment, task setup; Speech = thinking/communication/swallow. For Mary’s husband: stagger visits (e.g., Tue PT, Fri OT), not back-to-back. You’re allowed to set the rhythm: “No double sessions; schedule Mon/Thu or Tue/Fri.”

3) Request the “why.”
If a plan feels wrong, say: “Explain why this is safest for him given dementia.” Make them connect method to your reality (e.g., forward lean during sit-to-stand can be protective; the danger is when he’s upright and leans back).

4) Advocate as a calling.
You know your person best. Be the “squeaky wheel” with grace: affirm what helps, name what harms, and ask for a different way. That’s Therapeutic Truth-Telling™—truth + compassion.

For steady help, join our Christian DigniCare Society—prayer, coaching, and practical tools so you’re never advocating alone. Early joiners get a short welcome call to start strong.

 

Don’t walk alone. The Christian DigniCare Society (lifetime, under $100) gives you community, coaching, prayer, and practical tools. 
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/cds

 

💬 What Do I Say When Dementia Makes Words Hard?
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.
📥 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.
🎤 Register here: 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
🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

 

🧭 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

 

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

300. Stop “Therapeutic Lying”: How to Answer “I Want to Go Home” with Truth and Grace

“What do you say when your loved one keeps asking to go home—but you know they can’t?” That’s the ache David brought about his 96-year-old mom in assisted living. He’s gentle and calm, but still wonders, What actually helps?

I began with the same clarifying prompt I use in coaching: “So let’s imagine it is six months from now and your caregiving journey feels easier. What would that look like for you?” David’s answer: clarity on what to say—and peace about when to answer the phone.

Why we don’t use “therapeutic lying.”
Lies can soothe for a moment but erode trust. We practice Therapeutic Truth-Telling™—meeting the emotion and telling the truth in gentle words. For recurring “I want to go home,” find a calm, consistent phrase you can repeat cheerfully: “Mom, I hear you want to go back to [street name]. I’m sorry—that isn’t possible anymore. This is where you’ll be living now. I love you, and I’ll make sure you’re cared for.” Use it like it’s the first time—every time.

Understand what the brain is doing.
After a mild stroke, mom’s time sense changed and she began confabulating—filling memory gaps with believable stories (e.g., “they keep moving me to different towns”). Naming this helps you respond with empathy instead of arguments.

Rehab can still help.
Even at 96, ask for speech and occupational therapy to target executive function and time concepts under the “recent stroke” umbrella—no formal dementia diagnosis required. You’re looking for practical strategies, not labels.

Next faithful step.
Try one phrase for two months, meet the emotion first, and pursue a short rehab trial. If you want steady, faith-anchored help, join the Christian DigniCare Society (lifetime access; first 100 get a 15-minute welcome call), or come to the free workshop on November 8 at 3 p.m. ET—links in the show notes. You don’t have to do this alone.

 

Don’t walk alone. The Christian DigniCare Society (lifetime, under $100) gives you community, coaching, prayer, and practical tools. 
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/cds

 

💬 What Do I Say When Dementia Makes Words Hard?
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.
📥 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.
🎤 Register here: 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
🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

 

🧭 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

 

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

299. Talking to Your Brother About Mom’s Dementia — How to Share Concerns Without Causing Conflict

“Have you ever kept quiet—not because you don’t care, but because you’re afraid of conflict?” That’s where Anita is with her brother, the primary caregiver for their mom. She sees the strain—his health sliding, the house slipping—and fears saying the hard thing will make it worse. If that’s you, Episode 299 is a gentle roadmap.

I begin, as always, with the clarifying prompt I use in every session:
“If in six months from today, what needs to have happened for you to say, by God’s grace, I am stewarding my caregiving, my health, and my relationships well… What would make it easier for you?” Anita’s answer: find the courage to talk to her brother.

1) Name what’s really in the way.
Often the blocker is fear of the outcome—and we procrastinate when the outcome feels uncertain. Try a quick “worst-case” check. If he resists, what then? You can still frame help around shared goals without forcing change.

2) Use the 4D Method (Do • Delay • Delegate • Delete).
Some things only the decision-maker can Do. Other tasks you can Delay (they’re not going anywhere). Many can be Delegated (cleaner, handyman). A few, for this season, you can Delete entirely—no guilt. This frees time and lowers pressure on the primary caregiver.

3) Reframe the conversation to protect the relationship.
Lead with love and a shared aim: “I’m worried about you, and I want Mom to stay at home as long as possible. If you and I burn out, that won’t be possible. How can we build a little more help?” This is Therapeutic Truth-Telling™—truth plus compassion.

4) Build a support system.
Longitudinal support changes everything. Practice scripts, share the load, and learn alongside others in a faith-anchored community. The caregivers who benefit most join before crisis hits.

This approach sits inside the Think Different Dementia Method™ and the Contented Caregiver Blueprint™—caregiving clarity anchored in Scripture, with practical steps you can use this week.

 

Don’t walk alone. The Christian DigniCare Society (lifetime, under $100) gives you community, coaching, prayer, and practical tools. 
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/cds

 

💬 What Do I Say When Dementia Makes Words Hard?
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.
📥 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.
🎤 Register here: 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
🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

 

🧭 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

 

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

298. How Younger Spousal Caregivers Can Plan Wisely for the Future — Finding Peace Instead of Guilt

“Have you ever felt guilty for wanting breathing room even though your loved one seems okay?” That’s where Barbara, 59, stands—her 63-year-old husband is early in dementia, mostly independent, yet the quiet dread won’t let her rest. We sat together to name the guilt, rebuild support, and plan without panic.

I began with my focusing prompt: “In six months, what would need to change for caregiving to feel easier—while stewarding your health and relationships?” Barbara said: clarity and calm. That becomes our map.

1) Know your “bucket” and set benchmarks.
Barbara’s husband is in the first bucket (early changes, still managing basics). That means time to plan—not to procrastinate. We backward-plan from the reality that, if he lives long enough, 24-hour care will be needed, then place milestones to know when to bring help in.

2) Rebuild community before crisis.
Isolation dims resilience. I used my charcoal briquettes picture: pull one coal away from the fire and it cools. Re-enter the local church and friendships so people can actually help—don’t white-knuckle alone.

3) Legal stewardship now, not later.
Meet an elder-law attorney for asset protection and to review POA/health-care POA/will (I recommend naming three decision-makers in order). Remember the five-year look-back—waiting shrinks options. Using your spouse’s resources for his care is stewardship, not selfishness.

4) Quick home-alone safety check.
If he can’t scan and find items out of sight (open the fridge → find food; open a drawer → find the phone), he’s no longer safe to be alone—let that guide next steps.

One small step this week: Barbara chose to return to church twice a month and start the elder-law consult. Small, faithful steps create spaciousness for your soul and safety for your home. Join our community if you need companions for the journey—steady prayer, coaching, and tools you can use right away.

 

Don’t walk alone. The Christian DigniCare Society (lifetime, under $100) gives you community, coaching, prayer, and practical tools. 
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/cds

 

💬 What Do I Say When Dementia Makes Words Hard?
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.
📥 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.
🎤 Register here: 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
🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

 

🧭 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

 

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

297. How Christian Daughters Can Prepare Wisely When Dementia Leaves the Paperwork a Mess — Legal Clarity Made Simple

“She had POA, her name on the bank, the house deed… then I asked, ‘Does your mom have a will?’ Silence.” That’s where Jennifer and I began in Episode 297—and where many of us discover the one document holding everything together.

As always, I started with my focusing prompt: “In six months, what needs to have changed for you to be able to say your caregiving journey is easier?” Jennifer’s answer: I need more support. Together, we turned that into a plan.

1) Legal clarity, not guesswork.
POA is important, but a will still matters for peace and protection. If you’re not sure it exists (or where it is), make that your first call this week. Stewardship is part of your obedience; God is not a God of confusion.

2) Ask differently—get real help.
“Let me know if I can help” isn’t help. Make a specific help-list (two meals/week, Saturday outing, lawn care), keep it in your purse, and when someone offers, schedule it on both calendars. People aren’t busy when it’s scheduled.

3) Simple home-safety test.
If your loved one can’t scan for what they can’t see (open fridge → find food; open drawer → find phone), they’re not safe to be home alone. That single test guides next steps—no guilt, just wisdom.

4) Begin with the end in mind.
If your mom lives long enough with dementia, 24-hour care will be needed. Map options now: paid in-home help, adult day, memory care. Using Mom’s money for Mom’s care is stewardship, not selfishness—you’re protecting two lives: hers and yours.

If you’re tired of guessing, I’d love to walk with you. Join the Christian DigniCare Society (lifetime access, monthly live support, prayer, practical tools) or come to our next free workshop—details in the show notes. You don’t have to carry this alone.

 

Don’t walk alone. The Christian DigniCare Society (lifetime, under $100) gives you community, coaching, prayer, and practical tools. 
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/cds

 

💬 What Do I Say When Dementia Makes Words Hard?
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.
📥 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.
🎤 Register here: 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
🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

 

🧭 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

 

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

296. Christian Caregivers: Beat Fear & Guilt — Find Help You Can Trust

Lisa knew the next step—get help in the home—but guilt and fear kept saying, “Don’t spend the money… what if you need it later?” If that’s your inner soundtrack, Episode 296 is for you. We name the fear, anchor in truth, and build a simple plan you can act on this week.

I began with my usual focusing prompt: “in six months, what needs to have happened for you to be able to say that you are stewarding your caregiving, your health, and your relationships well… and making this season easier?” Lisa said, space for me—and consistent help for Mom. That clarity became our path.

Step 1: Ask clearly (and specifically). Church family often says, “Let me know how to help,” but they don’t know what you need. Tell them plainly you’re seeking a Christian private-duty caregiver within 10–15 miles, with clear speech, who will support Mom’s independence (observe safety while letting her do breakfast, simple lunch, light cleanup, walking). Be specific about hours: 5–10–15 hours/week. Specific ask → specific help.

Step 2: Put it on the calendar. Keep a small “help list” in your purse. When someone offers, pull it out and schedule a slot on both calendars. People aren’t busy when it’s scheduled.

Step 3: Set a loving deadline. Give yourself 30 days. If you haven’t found a good-fit helper by then, hire an agency for coverage while you keep looking privately. Stewardship includes your health.

Step 4: Steward the money on purpose. Pray, then speak with an elder-law attorney about asset protection and the five-year look-back. Using Mom’s funds for her care is stewardship, not selfishness. Burnout serves no one.

All of this sits inside the Think Different Dementia Method™, with Therapeutic Truth-Telling™ for honest, kind conversations and weekly rhythms from the Contented Caregiver Blueprint™—caregiving clarity anchored in Scripture. And if you need people beside you, join the DigniCare Society—lifetime access (under $100) and a 15-minute welcome call for the first 100 caregivers.

Don’t walk alone. The Christian DigniCare Society (lifetime, under $100) gives you community, coaching, prayer, and practical tools. 
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/cds

💬 What Do I Say When Dementia Makes Words Hard?
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.
📥 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.
🎤 Register here: 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
🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

🧭 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

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

295. How Christian Caregivers Can Stay Strong When They Feel Worn Thin — Faithfully Stewarding Self-Care

“Maybe I cannot do this at home anymore.”
Mary said it out loud—five years in, faithful but worn thin. If that’s where your heart is today, Episode 295 is for you.

I start with my clarifying prompt: “Six months from today, what needs to have happened for you to say your caregiving is easier—stewarding your health and relationships well?” Mary’s first brave steps: she scheduled her own doctor appointments and secured five hours of weekly respite through her local aging services. 

That’s not selfish; that’s stewardship. Remember, about 30% of family caregivers die before the person they care for. Your health matters.

We also tackled two hard lanes:

1) Falls that keep happening.
Mary’s husband is “forgetting” the walker and reaching for a cane. That often signals the walker no longer makes sense cognitively. Try incidental cueing (“Here’s your walker, love”), and put the cane out of sight. Ask the doctor for a tune-up: orders for physical and occupational therapy. A new fall pattern = decline in function, and Medicare can cover skilled therapy. Some falls stem from judgment, not just balance—plan to prevent injury and mitigate effects.

2) Depression through a Christian lens.
Many people living with dementia experience depression. Start by checking physical causes (vitamin D, medical contributors). Then use resources from biblical counselors (Mary’s assignments included Ed Welch’s “Blame It on the Brain” and a book on Depression by Dr. Halla/Hala). Medication isn’t always first, but it can sometimes help a person get over the hump.

All of this sits inside our Think Different Dementia Method™, Therapeutic Truth-Telling™, and Contented Caregiver Blueprint™—relationship-centered, Scripture-anchored care. If you’re faithful but tired, come closer: the Christian DigniCare Society offers lifetime community, prayer, monthly AMAs, and a gentle on-ramp so you don’t carry this alone.

 

Don’t walk alone. The Christian DigniCare Society (lifetime, under $100) gives you community, coaching, prayer, and practical tools. 
https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/cds

 

💬 What Do I Say When Dementia Makes Words Hard?
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.
📥 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.
🎤 Register here: 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
🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

 

🧭 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

 

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