I recently spoke with Lori La Bey on her talk radio show, Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio. Lori is the Founder of Alzheimer’s Speaks and a passionate Alzheimer’s advocate who continuously searches for ways to shift our dementia care culture from crisis to comfort. Lori has been recognized by Sharecare and Dr. Oz as the #1 Influencer Online for Alzheimer’s.

In our interview we discuss 4 areas that help us have our most positive and balanced journeys as caregivers, while helping our care receivers and those around us have theirs.

Our conversation featured:

• Powerful personal life lessons we learn from our roles in caregiving.
• How massive acceptance and radical presence support us in our roles so we, our care receivers, and those around us stay balanced have our most positive journeys.
• Why a positive perspective (open to possibilities and potential) helps us see our care receiver as the person they are and not the disease so we can appreciate the good moments and support our care receiver objectively during challenging moments.

Four tips for dealing with the Elephants in the Caregiving Room:

Tip 1 – The parable of the elephant and the blind men

Embrace our unique perspective so we live authentically from thereA

Tip 2 – Elephant Training

Evaluate our beliefs to make sure they still serve usA

Tip 3 – How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time

Break things down into smaller and smaller pieces until we can deal with them objectivelyA

Tip 4 – Dealing with the elephants in the room

Managing important conversation so they help, rather than hinder, us