Many people don't get a diagnosis early on. Whether it's a dementia related diagnosis or any other disease, start researching asap, what to expect. Even if the prognosis is for decline years down the line, preparing now can help ease into the future with greater clarity and purpose.

What caregiving tasks, things to do, or self care options are you putting off? Have you challenged yourself to figure out why? Sometimes we don't have the headspace, bandwidth or energy to get things done or even to make a plan... But if this becomes the norm it can be incredibly difficult to make changes as time goes on. Find one small thing to do, today if you can, and count it as a win! Do the same tomorrow. Little things and small steps, can get you motivated to move forward even more. Goals become accomplishments. Start with one small measurable action.

Keeping a healthy perspective as a caregiver can be REALLY difficult! Our relationship with a parent is probably as complex as it gets. The emotional connection can be intense - in good ways and not so good ways. So the dependency issues that come with a parent who can't care for themselves brings a lot of complicated emotions... Too often, adult children caregivers resent outside advise, questions, and recommendations because they've associated delegating care, with failing their parent in some way. We need more opportunities to discuss these issues. We don't want to lose a younger generation of care providers that have tried to take on way too much...

Sometimes...sometimes not. There is no one timetable or timeline that's neat and tidy. Depending on the cause, and a number of other health factors, the symptoms can vary as well. As soon as you suspect dementia is setting in, and especially if you have a diagnosis, start planning for the future asap!

Unfortunately, many physicians are not always experienced or knowledgeable about dementia and are quick to dismiss concerns as no big deal.... Make sure you feel heard when you have concerns. If you don't feel like you're taken seriously, look into finding a doctor that specializes in geriatric care, if possible. As you voice your concerns, be concrete and try to document behaviors and timelines if you can, ahead of time. Your "gut feeling" is often a good indicator when something is off.