Episode 83- Finding Support Systems for Young Caregivers ft. Carrie Aalberts - @dementiadarling
What defines a "young caregiver" and where can they find support? In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast, co-host Melissa Schenkman talks with fellow millennial Carrie Aalberts, MS, who is a Gerontologist, Dementia Educator, and Caregiver Cheerleader. The two discuss the unique challenges people under age 50 face when they are also caregivers to their parents or other older adults. Carrie and Melissa highlight the need for finding support systems in the areas of mental health, self-care, and address what happens when siblings do not show up and friends are not supportive. Carrie provides real-life resources and tips for navigating those challenges along with the often daunting task of navigating the healthcare system as a caregiver. She also shares the story of how she created the thriving online community @dementiadarling to provide support and resources tailored toward dementia caregivers.
Their conversation explores the importance of finding and nurturing a supportive community for caregivers, emphasizing that while expectations may not always align with reality, shared experiences can provide invaluable support and wisdom.
🎧 Listen in now to learn about Carrie's unique list of support services, including an app that helps caregivers! Share this episode with a friend or family member who is on their caregiver journey!
Highlights:
(0:02) Introduction to YMyHealth
(01:05) Introduction of Carrie Alberts, an expert in gerontology, dementia educator, and founder of the online community Dementia Darling.
(01:54) Carrie's Road to Studying Gerontology
(03:54) The Birth of Dementia Darling
(06:16) Defining the Young Caregiver
(08:34) Unique Caregiver Challenges for Millennials
(13:45) Categories of Caregiving
(17:34) Caregiving Status is Not a Failure
(18:03) Building a Support Network
(24:53) Professional Support to Seek Out
(28:53) Prioritizing Mental Health
(33:04) Mental Health Resources
(37:25) Talking to Unhelpful Siblings
(44:03) Self-Care Through Shared Activities
(56:04) Finding Online Community
(1:03:57) Carrie's Final 3 Caregiver Takeaways
Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/
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Learn more about this episode's guest, Gerontologist, Dementia Educator, and Caregiver Cheerleader, Carrie Aalberts, MS, here: https://www.dementiadarling.com/
*Follow her community on Instagram* @dementiadarling
Carrie's Recommended Resources for Caregivers:
Steady App (steadii.com): Free care management specifically for dementia caregivers
Hilarity for Charity (HFC): Seth Rogen's organization offering support groups for millennial caregivers, Black millennial caregivers, young men, and various dementia types. They also have a Caregiver Roadmap and respite grants
Lorenzo's House: Supports families of young-onset dementia (anyone with dementia under 60), with groups for caregivers as young as three years old
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Great mental health resources
Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Hotline: For dementia-specific support
Zen Caregiving Project (zencaregiving.org): Mindfulness resources, webinars, and printable worksheets for caregivers
Family Caregiver Alliance: Comprehensive caregiver resources
Caregiver Action Network (caregiveraction.org): Free caregiver resources
Have a question about one of our podcast episodes? Email us at ymyhealthpodcast@gmail.com. We will be answering your questions in our upcoming Q&A.
Learn about YMyHealth's Founder, Melissa Schenkman here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/team/melissa-schenkman
Thanks again to our sponsor Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com