“Up until now…”
During our weekly support groups, I’ve been in awe of how much our members are showing up for themselves — especially when it comes to planning for the future.
They’ve been making backup emergency plans.
They’ve been reaching out to friends to rebuild connection.
They’ve been taking small steps toward better health — not someday, but today.
They’re doing what they can now, so they can feel more secure, supported, and hopeful moving forward.
But here’s what I want you to know:
Not everyone in the group started that way.
Some of our newer members recently shared doubts like:
➤ “I have no one else I can rely on.”
➤ “My friends have disappeared.”
➤ “My health is suffering.”
And then, one of our longtime members offered a gentle, powerful response:
👉 “Up until now…”
“Up until now, you’ve had no one to rely on.”
“Up until now, your friends have disappeared.”
“Up until now, your health has suffered.”
Those words are a reminder that the past doesn’t define what comes next.
Even if you haven’t made those changes yet — that’s okay.
Most Careblazers didn’t start there either.
They began right where you might be now: overwhelmed, isolated, unsure if anything could help.
But they stayed open. They took small steps. And slowly, things started to shift.
So if you’re doubting what’s possible — borrow some belief from the people who were once right where you are.
You can’t always change the situation. But you can change your approach to it.
And sometimes, all it takes is one decision — one step — to start changing your entire world.
Hang in there. We’re with you.
P.S. Want to join these Careblazers and start your own breakthrough journey? The Care Course is open for summer enrollment and we’d love to walk alongside you. Click HERE to learn more.
Each week, I answer a real question submitted by a Dementia Dose subscriber — and share a private video response exclusively for this community.
This week’s question comes from Jane, who asks:
Q: What do others do about restricting email and computer to loved one with late mild stage dementia. He responds to spam and is easily scammed, but wants to be able to use the computer to ‘look things up’ and spend his time that way.
A: This is such an important topic! I’ve included some quick tips in this week’s video. If you have a helpful tip that can help Jane, feel free to leave it as a comment under the video- I’m sure Jane (and others) would greatly appreciate it!
I did a 30 day social media series on what I wish more people understood about dementia. We’ve compiled all 30 short videos into this easy to download guide.
Just hours after it went live, this week’s video climbed to #1 — and it’s clear why.
It uncovers the unspoken griefs of dementia caregiving — the kind you were never warned about, but feel deeply every day.
It’s raw. It’s real. And it might just make you feel a little more understood.
I’m diving deeper into how this one brain system could be quietly making caregiving feel even harder … and how you can retrain it to start working for you instead of against you.
This isn’t about pretending everything is okay. It’s about understanding how your brain is wired, so you can start to feel more calm, in control, and supported in your day-to-day caregiving life.
🧰 Careblazer Favorites: Safety at Home
This week one of our Careblazers shared all her favorite tips for keeping her husband safe at home. She said these door alarms have been a lifesaver. She’s able to turn them off during the day when her husband goes outside to smoke, but she turns them back on at night to help her sleep with more peace. If you’re looking for a way to be more at ease while you sleep, you can check them out here.
Sending love,
Board-certified Geropsychologist
Founder, Dementia Careblazers
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