Today’s episode is a little different here on The Loud Quiet.

Instead of hosting, we’re guests!

We joined Lynn Smargis on her podcast Caring for Your Aging Parents to share our family’s journey through Alzheimer's and caregiving.

In this conversation, we talk about:

How we first noticed the early signs of dementia in Rick’s mom.

The difficult realities of caregiving from afar, especially during COVID.

What it was like to face Capgras syndrome and the emotional toll it took on the family.

How we worked together with Rick’s stepfather to make the hard decision to move his mom into memory care.

What we learned about hospice, long-term care planning, and supporting each other along the way.

This is an unedited replay of that episode, and we’re grateful to Lynn for the opportunity to share this story — one we know many empty nesters are starting to walk through themselves.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

02:00 First Signs of Alzheimer's in Rick’s Mom

06:30 Confirming the Diagnosis and Building a Care Team

11:00 Facing Capgras Syndrome and Caregiving Challenges

16:00 Supporting the Primary Caregiver from Afar

20:30 Deciding It Was Time for Memory Care

24:00 Moving into Memory Care: How We Handled the Transition

28:00 Hospice Care: What We Wish More People Knew

33:00 Advice for Families Starting This Journey

35:00 About The Loud Quiet and Final Reflections

Follow "Caring for Your Aging Parents" - https://www.youtube.com/@CaringforYourAgingParent-pl9qwEmpty Nest Living can be challenging. Let’s support each other. Join The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living Facebook group and build community together: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Hf9LJkmdU/

#relationships

#marriage #recreation #podcast #EmptyNesters #EmptyNesting #Lifeafterkidsleave #Transitiontoanemptynest #Parentingjourney #Reinventingourselves #Newchapterinlife #Emptynestchallenges #Findingpurpose #Rediscoveringhobbies #Relationshipafterkids #Self-discovery #Preparingforanemptynest #Reconnectingasacouple #Growingtogetherafterkidsleave #Familydynamicsafterkidsleave #Supportsystemsforemptynesters #Tipsforsuccessfulemptynesting