How Dementia Care Professionals Help Families Make Better Decisions

Staying Home on Your Own Terms

For many families, the conversation about staying home as a parent ages is long overdue, and often harder than expected. In this episode, host Tiffany Robinson talks with occupational therapist and aging in place specialist Esther Kane about what it actually takes to make staying home safe, sustainable, and financially realistic. What you’ll learn in this episode * Why seniors resist help, and what families tend to get wrong about it * The home safety assessment: what it is, who does it, and why it comes first * The rooms and habits that create the most risk, and the fixes that don't require a renovation * Funding options most families haven't considered, including what reverse mortgages actually look like today * Why the tools that support independence (like grab bars and walkers) are exactly that: tools   Additional resources: * Senior Safety Advice [https://seniorsafetyadvice.com/] — Esther Kane's resource hub for seniors and family caregivers * Aging in Place Directory [https://aginginplacedirectory.com/] — A directory of professionals and services supporting aging in place * DementiaWise™ Training Program [https://www.comforcare.com/programs/dementiawise/] — ComForCare's dementia care education resource for families and professional caregivers * Caregiver resources from ComForCare [https://www.comforcare.com/resources.html] Featured Guest Esther C. Kane is an occupational therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), and Certified Dementia Specialist (CDS) with decades of experience assessing home safety and supporting older adults living independently. She is the founder of Senior Safety Advice, a practical resource for seniors and family caregivers navigating aging in place decisions, and the creator of the Aging in Place Directory, which connects families with qualified local professionals. Esther's work is grounded in her clinical background in geriatric rehabilitation and shaped by a consistent focus on helping families make informed, confident decisions. About the Host Tiffany Robinson is a passionate advocate for caregiver education. As the host of ComForConnections, she brings warmth, insight, and a deep understanding of the caregiving experience to every episode.

How Dementia Care Professionals Help Families Make Better Decisions

When families receive a dementia diagnosis, they’re often handed life-changing news with little direction. The decisions that follow — bringing help into the home, touring senior living communities, evaluating technology — carry emotional weight and long-term impact. In this episode of ComForConnections, Tiffany Robinson is joined by Carrie Aalberts, also known as Dementia Darling. With a background in gerontology and years of experience supporting caregivers, Carrie shares how professional dementia care providers can help families interpret what quality care truly looks like and avoid crisis-driven decisions. What you’ll learn in this episode * Why early guidance prevents crisis-mode decision making * What families often overlook at the beginning of the dementia journey * Red flags and green flags when touring dementia care communities * How professional caregivers can validate and support families emotionally * The role of AgeTech and how technology enhances, rather than replaces, human care * How to move beyond the “tragedy narrative” and recognize moments of joy Additional resources: * Dementia Darling [https://www.dementiadarling.com/] – Dementia education, caregiver resources, and supportive guidance for families navigating dementia care decisions. * Understanding the Different Stages of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Needs [https://www.comforcare.com/blog/understanding-the-different-stages-of-alzheimers-and-dementia-care-needs/] – A ComForCare guide to recognizing progression and planning appropriate care. Featured Guest Carrie Aalberts is a dementia educator and founder of Dementia Darling, an education platform dedicated to supporting families and professional caregivers navigating dementia care. With a background in gerontology and more than 15 years of experience in the aging and dementia care space, Carrie provides practical guidance, caregiver education, and decision-making support. Her work focuses on helping families recognize quality dementia care, understand training standards, and build confidence during high-stakes care transitions. Stay Connected! Like what you heard? Subscribe to ComForConnections [https://www.comforcare.com/resources/podcast.html] on your favorite podcast platform, and explore more caregiver resources [https://www.comforcare.com/resources.html] from ComForCare. About the Host Tiffany Robinson is a passionate advocate for caregiver education. As the host of ComForConnections, she brings warmth, insight, and a deep understanding of the caregiving experience to every episode.

How Working Caregivers Protect Their Energy

Caregiving often spans both professional and personal life, leaving little space to recover before the next demand appears. For working caregivers, burnout can creep in quietly, becoming normalized, minimized, and missed until the cost becomes unavoidable. In this episode of ComForConnections, Tiffany Robinson is joined by Elizabeth Miller, founder of Happy Healthy Caregiver, to explore what caregiver burnout really looks like, why it affects working caregivers so deeply, and how small, realistic shifts can help protect energy over the long term. Together, they unpack the emotional labor caregivers carry and the systems that make sustainable caregiving possible. What you’ll learn in this episode * Why burnout is so common among working and professional caregivers * Early warning signs caregivers often overlook or normalize * How emotional labor shows up differently at work and at home * Why traditional self-care advice rarely works for caregivers * What realistic, sustainable self-care actually looks like * How asking for help and setting boundaries supports long-term caregiving Additional resources: * Happy Healthy Caregiver [https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/] - Education, tools, and support for working family caregivers focused on burnout prevention and sustainable caregiving. * Happy Healthy Caregiver Podcast [https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/podcast/] - Conversations with caregivers and experts sharing real-world strategies for navigating caregiving without losing yourself. * Happy Healthy Caregiver Weekly Newsletter [https://bit.ly/HHCnews] - Sign up to receive weekly encouragement, practical insights, and caregiver-friendly self-care ideas. * Just for You: A Daily Self-Care Journal [https://amzn.to/4bn4gFb] - A guided journal designed to help caregivers reflect, reset, and prioritize their own wellbeing. Featured Guest Elizabeth Miller [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethbmiller/]is the founder of Happy Healthy Caregiver and a nationally recognized advocate for caregiver burnout prevention. A former corporate professional and sandwich-generation caregiver, Elizabeth supports working caregivers through education, speaking, and practical tools that help protect energy, health, and identity across long caregiving seasons. About the Host Tiffany Robinson is a passionate advocate for caregiver education. As the host of ComForConnections, she brings warmth, insight, and a deep understanding of the caregiving experience to every episode.

Building Better Partnerships in Care

Strong caregiving depends on strong relationships. In this episode, psychologists Dr. Julie Mayer and Dr. Barry Jacobs share practical guidance for creating healthy, collaborative partnerships between families and professional caregivers, helping everyone feel supported and aligned in their loved one's care. What you’ll learn in this episode * Why guilt is so common for family caregivers and how to work through it * How to gradually introduce professional care to create smoother transitions * Communication habits that build trust between families and caregivers * Why empathy is essential for preventing conflict and improving teamwork * How agencies can support caregivers with training and consistency * Approaches to self-care that help both family and professional caregivers sustain their wellbeing Additional resources: * The AARP Caregiver Answer Book [https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/books/bookstore/home-family-caregiving/aarp-caregiver-answer-book/] – Julie and Barry's comprehensive guide to caregiving, communication, and emotional resilience  * Understanding the Different Stages of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Needs [https://www.comforcare.com/blog/understanding-the-different-stages-of-alzheimers-and-dementia-care-needs/] – A helpful overview for anticipating changing care requirements  * Episode 36: How to Talk with Aging Parents Who Won’t Receive Help Graciously [https://www.comforcare.com/blog/episode-36-how-to-talk-with-aging-parents-who-wont-receive-help-graciously/] – In an earlier episode of ComForConnections, Barry addresses how to care for a parent who doesn’t want your care. Featured Guests Dr. Julie Mayer Dr. Julie Mayer is a clinical psychologist with decades of experience supporting family systems, caregiver wellbeing, and lifespan challenges. Her work focuses on helping families navigate the emotional landscape of caregiving with empathy, communication, and resilience. Dr. Barry Jacobs Dr. Barry Jacobs is a clinical psychologist and nationally recognized expert on family caregiving, chronic illness, and care partnerships. His work emphasizes the central role of relationships and shared understanding in delivering meaningful, coordinated care. Stay Connected! Like what you heard? Subscribe to ComForConnections [https://www.comforcare.com/resources/podcast.html] on your favorite podcast platform, and explore more caregiver resources [https://www.comforcare.com/resources.html] from ComForCare. About the Host Tiffany Robinson is a passionate advocate for caregiver education. As the host of ComForConnections, she brings warmth, insight, and a deep understanding of the caregiving experience to every episode.

The Best Friends Approach to Dementia Care

For more than 35 years, David Troxel has helped shape the way caregivers understand dementia and what it takes to build real connections. In this episode, he and host Tiffany Robinson explore why social history matters, what trust-building looks like in practice, and how caregivers can create therapeutic moments every day. What you’ll learn in this episode * How the Best Friends™ Approach strengthens trust and eases daily care. * Why "if you've met one person with dementia, you've met one person with dementia" matters in practice. * How social histories and life story cards turn everyday tasks into moments of connection. * Simple, meaningful activities caregivers can use at home. * Ways to shift from task-oriented routines to relationship-centered care. Additional resources: * David Troxel [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidtroxel/] – Connect with David and learn more about his work, speaking, and resources for families and professionals supporting people living with dementia. * Books by David Troxel [https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-Troxel-MPH/author/B009KXEK2W?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=85660554-b52e-4005-9434-b5d5b2020f83] – Explore the Best Friends™ series and other practical guides that help caregivers build connection, reduce stress, and create supportive daily routines. * In-Home Dementia Care Services [https://www.comforcare.com/dementia-care/] – Discover ComForCare’s personalized at-home support designed to improve safety, comfort, and connection for individuals living with dementia. * Joyful Memories - Home Care Services [https://www.comforcare.com/programs/joyful-memories/] – A music-based engagement program that uses familiar songs and guided activities to spark connection, movement, and emotional well-being for people living with dementia.  Featured Guest David Troxel, MPH, is an internationally recognized expert in dementia care and co-creator of the Best Friends™ Approach, a widely adopted model emphasizing empathy, connection, and life-story-driven support. He has authored numerous influential books with collaborator Virginia Bell, including A Dignified Life and the Best Friends Activity Books. David has decades of experience in adult day programs, dementia education, and caregiving program development, and continues to teach, write, and support caregivers around the world. Stay Connected! Like what you heard? Subscribe to ComForConnections [https://www.comforcare.com/resources/podcast.html] on your favorite podcast platform, and explore more caregiver resources [https://www.comforcare.com/resources.html] from ComForCare. About the Host Tiffany Robinson is a passionate advocate for caregiver education. As the host of ComForConnections, she brings warmth, insight, and a deep understanding of the caregiving experience to every episode.