All About Alzheimer's Newsletter- Monday 20th April 2026

A reader shared recently that her father had a fall in the kitchen when he was alone.
Fortunately he wasn’t badly hurt, but it took a while before anyone realised something was wrong.
It’s the kind of situation many families don’t think about until something like this happens.

Some families decide to put a simple medical alert system in place so their loved one can call for help immediately if needed.

You can see how it works by clicking the link below, or speak directly with their team on 1-877-327-0779

Only available in the USA

Caring for a loved one with dementia is a journey that often begins quietly, with small changes that are easy to overlook. For Kathy Anderson, those early signs appeared in everyday moments with her mother, Ronnie.

At first, it was simple tasks. Ronnie struggled to do things she had always done with ease, like opening a bottle of wine. Then Kathy noticed other changes, such as her mum beginning to hoard items around the house.

Over time, these moments built into a clearer picture, and Kathy stepped into the role of caregiver while still balancing her own work and responsibilities.

Through her experience, she has learned valuable lessons that she now shares with others navigating a similar path.

Kathy’s journey began with small but noticeable changes in her mum’s ability to complete everyday tasks. These early signs can often be dismissed, but they are important indicators that something may not be right.

While continuing to work, Kathy was open with her employer about her situation. At the start of meetings, she would explain that although her phone was on silent, she was caring for her mum and might need to respond if she became disoriented.

She found that most people were understanding, and being open helped reduce pressure.

One of Kathy’s key pieces of advice is to seek information and expert guidance. Understanding dementia can help you feel more prepared and give you practical tools to respond to changing behaviours.

When Ronnie became confused or distressed, Kathy found that distraction could help. Showing photos on her iPad or playing familiar music often helped shift her mum’s focus and ease anxiety.

Kathy learned that correcting her mum was often unhelpful. Instead, she chose to meet her where she was, recognising that her mum’s experience of reality had changed.

Caregiving can feel isolating, but Kathy emphasises the importance of accepting help. Whether from family, friends, or support groups, sharing the responsibility can make a meaningful difference.

Kathy describes caregiving as, at times, similar to supporting a young child. Gentle distraction, reassurance, and small comforts can help navigate difficult moments.

Amid the challenges, Kathy focused on simple shared activities that brought moments of connection. These small moments became increasingly meaningful.

Maintaining relationships with family and friends remained important, both for Kathy and her mum. Connection helps reduce isolation and provides emotional support during a demanding time.

Kathy’s experience reflects a reality many caregivers face. There is no single way to navigate dementia care, and much of it is learned through experience.

Her story is a reminder that while caregiving can be challenging, support, understanding, and small moments of connection can make a meaningful difference.

💙 You are not expected to have all the answers. Learning as you go is part of the journey.

If this story resonates with you, you are not alone.

We share regular insights on our YouTube channel, covering topics such as caregiver guilt, emotional overwhelm, and the realities of caring for a loved one with dementia.

These videos are designed to support you with honest guidance and reassurance when you need it most.

Every week, we share an honest story from a caregiver — the things most people are too afraid to say out loud.

Thank you for sharing this. What you are describing is far more common than many carers realise.

Caregiving can quietly narrow your world, not because you want it to, but because the role demands time, attention, and flexibility. Over time, it can feel as though your life is moving on a different track to those around you.

The feelings of missing out, or even jealousy, are not a reflection of a lack of love. They are a natural response to loss. Not just the loss associated with the condition itself, but the loss of freedom, spontaneity, and the ability to make plans without consideration of care.

The guilt that follows those thoughts often comes from holding two truths at once. You care deeply for the person you are supporting, and you are also aware of what you have had to put aside.

Both of these can exist together.

It can help to look for ways to create smaller moments that are still yours. They may not look like they once did, but even brief opportunities to connect with friends, step outside your routine, or do something you enjoy can help maintain a sense of self.

You are not wrong for noticing what you are missing. You are responding honestly to a life that has changed.

And you are not alone in feeling this way.

Harvey

If something’s been on your heart lately, let us know. We read every word. Your voice could offer comfort to someone else navigating the same journey.

Over the past year, I’ve been speaking more with companies about something that keeps coming up — how many employees are quietly balancing work with caring for a parent or loved one.

In many cases, its affecting stress, focus, and even whether people stay in their roles.

I’ve recently started working with a small number of organisations to support these employees in a simple, structured way — without adding pressure to HR teams.

If you work at a company where this might be relevant (or know someone in HR/People teams), feel free to reply and I can share more.

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