Being a “caregiver” or “care partner” can come with complicated and confusing emotions, expectations, and responsibilities. For some, this also comes with grief - loss of the former relationship with the person you’re caring for, loss of what you thought your future would look like, and even loss of yourself. Sometimes people are caregiving out of choice, sometimes out of necessity, and sometimes both. Caring for another person often comes with the time commitment of a full time job compounded with immense mental load, which can be hard to quantify or put into words.

The impact of dementias and cognitive impairment extends beyond direct caregivers. I also support siblings, children, grandchildren, and those in the “sandwich generation” (i.e., people starting/supporting their own families while caring for their older relatives) who are also impacted by these major life transitions.

Dementia has shaped my own family’s past, present, and future, and I have found working with other families navigating these conditions deeply meaningful, whether that was during my time at the Penn Memory Center, in community clinics, and now in private practice.
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I have profound gratitude for those who are facing dementia and all that comes with it and understand how difficult it can be to find your own space to be seen, heard, and cared for so that you can in turn care for others.