125 Caring for a loved one with dementia with Carolyn Birrell

Carolyn Birrell is the author of Walking with Fay, a moving book about her mother’s uncharted path into dementia. Carolyn’s writing began as a way to help her make sense of what was happening and quickly turned into the book she herself had needed, to provide relatable caregiving help. It’s a beautiful, empowering book and I really loved it. We talk about: - What led Carolyn to write such a personal and difficult book - Why it took so long to realize how bad things had got with her mother - The process of learning her mother had dementia and the early signs - Working out what level of interference in her mother’s affairs was appropriate - Coming to terms with realizing more help with caregiving was required - The kind of support that was needed and how Carolyn found that both for her mother and herself - Coping with a lack of recognition from her mother - The impact of the global pandemic on her mother’s care - What readers can expect from the book - Carolyn’s advice for people who fear they are starting to see signs of a parent’s dementia - Learning what to say and what not to say to a person with dementia - What makes the book different from other memoirs - What Carolyn hopes readers will get from the book - Carolyn’s advice for anyone just beginning on this path with their loved one And more!   If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on iTunes or wherever you’re listening. Order the ebook or audiobook (narrated by Rachel) versions of Rachel’s book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond at magnificentmidlife.com/book   The paperback can be purchased on Amazon or other online retailers: UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/ US & Canada: https://www.amazon.com/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/ Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/ You can listen to all the other episodes and get the show notes at magnificentmidlife.com/podcast. Recommended by the Sunday Times. Feedspot #3 in best midlife podcasts and #15 in best women over 50 podcasts worldwide. You'll find lots of strategies, support, and resources to help make your midlife magnificent at magnificentmidlife.com. Check out Rachel's online Revitalize Experience, a 6-week intensive small group mentoring experience or 1-1 Midlife Mentoring.   Follow Rachel on: Facebook: facebook.com/magnificentmidlife Instagram: instagram.com/magnificentmidlife Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/rachellankester Twitter: twitter.com/MagnifMidlife Pinterest: pinterest.co.uk/MagnificentMidlife1 Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCEteu6Z2mW1z1wnHiVB08uw Tiktok: tiktok.com/@magnificent_midlife

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Midlife isn’t the end of meaningful life, just the end of the first half rehearsal. Listen, laugh and be inspired as Rachel Lankester, author, mentor and founder of Magnificent Midlife, interviews women in midlife and beyond living authentic, empowered lives, not disappearing into obscurity. From round the world yachtswomen to 60 year old pole dancers, from palliative care doctors to sustainable food evangelists, this podcast explores the myriad things older women get up to and the issues we face. We challenge the status quo and bash those negative stereotypes about being an older woman. Need some inspiration about what’s possible for you when you're over 40, over 50 or beyond? These women will show you anything is. Need help overcoming your own limiting beliefs about getting older or struggles with menopause? Learn from women who’ve experienced the same but found ways to thrive and become who they were always meant to be. Learn their life-hacks and how they do what they do. This podcast is all about celebrating women in midlife and beyond. We’re not over the hill or on a downward slope. We get better with age not worse. We talk all things midlife, about issues that matter, and share fabulous stories of magnificent women doing very cool stuff. Now's our time! Find out more at magnificentmidlife.com.