My goal is to help other family dementia caregivers survive.
Find a new perspective, a moment of humor, and just maybe, a way to survive.
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Shortlisted for 2025 Int'l Award!
Please share your story with me. Email Zita@MySpouseHasDementia.com or leave a voice message. Just press the little microphone icon in the purple sidebar above this message. No one will see your email or hear your message but me.
Imagine you open your computer, strike a few keys, and there’s your spouse…who died three years ago – like my husband did. You aren’t looking at a photo. Or a video. No. This is more like Zoom or Facetime. The image you see looks, acts, and moves just like your spouse. Sounds like your spouse, too. You stare in disbelief as the image smiles and says, “Honey, I’ve missed you.” What’s your gut reaction? An AI miracle? Or emotional whiplash? This past August, I received an email from a man who desc
You will never regret being kind to your spouse. In a strong marriage, the sexual expression of love is the sinew that ties two hearts together and forms the kind of bond we depend on to get us through life's greatest challenges. As we age, the intensity of physical passion burns more ember than flame, but the bonds of love can be just as strong, even stronger, than ever. Alzheimer's forces a wedge in the relationship. Caregiver stress is more devastating than you imagined. Frustration and Anger
From the caregiver's mindset to making a home safe to understanding the legal side of caregiving, The Caregiver's Advocate is a collection of essays, written by and for caregivers. Debbie DeMoss Compton spearheaded " The Caregiver's Advocate ," an international bestselling book featuring 21 authors from 4 countries, offering diverse perspectives and strategies for caregivers. The Caregiver's Advocate Volume 2 features 22 experts from 3 countries who share things they wish they had known sooner
Lance A. Slatton is a change-maker in the world of family caregiving. He has the lived experience of a caregiver, the expertise of a professional caregiving services provider, and the wisdom to recognize the power of a caregiver's personal story. His service to the community can be seen in family-owned homecare services company, Enriched Life Homecare Services . Beyond that, Slatton is the author The All Home Care Matters Official Family Caregivers Guide , and the host or co-host 4 podcasts ab
What’s it like to be the caregiver for your parents while raising a young family of your own, and your wife is pregnant? Not easy! Healthcare journalist Paul Wynn writes about caregiving issues for more than 70 national publications. He also knows what it’s like to be a caregiver, sandwiched between two generations. That personal story is the subject of "Surviving the Sandwich Generation Years: How to Balance Caring for Parents While Raising Kids", one of twenty-two stories in the award-winning
Imagine you open your computer, strike a few keys, and there’s your spouse…who died three years ago – like my husband did. You aren’t looking at a photo. Or a video. No. This is more like Zoom or Facetime. The image you see looks, acts, and moves just like your spouse. Sounds like your spouse, too. You stare in disbelief as the image smiles and says, “Honey, I’ve missed you.” What’s your gut reaction? An AI miracle? Or emotional whiplash? This past August, I received an email from a man who desc
The attachment bonds we formed in our earliest relationships influence how we connect with others later in life. Dementia care expert Tami Anastasia, MA, brings 30 years of experience in supporting family and professional caregivers. In this episode she talks about four attachment styles and how they can manifest when caring for someone with dementia.
You will never regret being kind to your spouse. In a strong marriage, the sexual expression of love is the sinew that ties two hearts together and forms the kind of bond we depend on to get us through life's greatest challenges. As we age, the intensity of physical passion burns more ember than flame, but the bonds of love can be just as strong, even stronger, than ever. Alzheimer's forces a wedge in the relationship. Caregiver stress is more devastating than you imagined. Frustration and Anger
Recently, I was the guest on "Saturdays with Steve Parker," a community-based show on WTIC 1080 AM Radio, part of the Audacy.com network.Because November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month, Steve had invited me on his show to talk about "My Spouse Has…
When tragedy reshapes your life, having a supportive community is key to your survival. My husband died three months ago. I've been in a cave of sorts, rarely leaving the house. My neighbors drew me back into the world of the living… wi…
My friend and podcast marketing mage David Hooper of Build a Big Podcast created this video for me. Today, March 8, is International Women's Day. KPFA 94.1 radio in California will air it along with other programs created by women and dealing with…
"Listen to one woman’s account of her caregiving journey, from the shock of the first diagnosis of her spouse’s progressive dementia, to the frank discussion of how the disease has changed not only hi…"
"Zita shares her journey with such admirable authenticity that even if her situation is not yours, you will be able to relate and grow in compassion and understanding for the human condition."
"A voice of truth: kind, patient, loving, frustrated, insightful, sometimes painful and always beautiful. While your spouse may not remember, you will. I really enjoyed this and am very much looking f…"
"My intention is to take this full journey with Zita. Her words are clear, revealing, and true to the bone. As a daughter to a mom, who I struggled over her care with one brother and her sisters, dear…"
"Love listening to the stories she shares- experiences of loss, love, grief, validation, worry, sadness, and peace. reminder that caregivers must be caretakers of their own health and well-being! Insp…"
"Zita, thank you for the warm, witty, knowledgeable, and compassionate podcasts. Although we don’t have dementia in the family, I was caregiver for a loved one and and see the wisdom and helpfulness i…"
"Beautiful voice telling her story. Only been a few months my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Dementia, I am her caregiver. Zita I'm truly grateful for your words give me strength. Thank you 😊"
"Living alone with a spouse with dementia is a special kind of lonely. Hearing from the voice of someone else doing so is a special kind of comforting."
"Thank you SO much for sharing your experience. I am knee deep in this. I just sent this link to my husband’s kids & my support group coordinator. Grateful beyond words to you."