I had the pleasure of sitting down with clinical psychologist Dr. Genifer Goldsmith to discuss the immense stress and guilt that comes with being a caregiver. Our collaboration in co-facilitating a caregiver support group at UCLA for Alzheimer's Disease Research and care has been nothing short of enlightening. As someone who facilitates a caregiver support group, we see these struggles firsthand.  Dr. Goldsmith provides research-backed insights on how to cope. One key element emerges as a cornerstone to enhancing a patient's journey: caregiver support. Join us as we unpack the pivotal role caregivers play and discover the profound difference they can make in the progression of dementia. Caregiving is an immense challenge, but small acts of self-care have a huge impact. Never feel guilty for supporting yourself first - it helps your loved one most.   Timeline Summary: [02:20] - Stress as a caregiver and what it truly means. [03:00] - Craving structure within the chaos of unexpected changes in disease progression. [04:41] - Taking on unfamiliar roles alone like taxes and home repairs adds major stress. [06:35] - The heartbreak of taking away a loved one's independence and the balancing act between quality of life and safety. [09:15] - Conflict response: meet them in their reality and avoid conflict. [11:40] - Supporting caregivers directly impacts disease progression. [13:33] - Being a caregiver is like running a marathon. [14:22] - Feeling guilty about prioritizing yourself and how to change it. [16:20] - Largest percentage ever of older adults and the impact on the family unit. [17:03] - Comparing societal support for caregivers to new moms and how social media trends can help. [18:01] - “Being selfish is the most selfless thing a caregiver can do.” [18:35] - Well-supported caregivers slow disease progression. [20:15] - Setting up preventative measures to reduce caregiver burden. [21:31] - Being conscious of your tone. [23:00] - Start small with 10 minutes of self-care when overwhelmed.   Do you have a caregiving story to share? Barbara would love to hear from you! Please leave her a message at 310-362-8232 or send her an email through DementiaDiscussions.net. If you found value in today's episode, please don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue producing this content.