Kimberly D. Scott

In this episode of Caregivers Stories, I interviewed Deborah Shouse, a writer, speaker, editor, and creativity catalyst. She is the author of Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in the Caregiver’s Journey.    Deborah shared that when her mother was diagnosed with dementia, it changed her life. Even though things were not the same as it used to be, she continued to find the light in the situation. Like every care partner, as she coins it, the struggle and adjustment are always there, but one should never forget to find ways to make the load lighter. With her mother, what she appreciated the most is the fact that she is growing up, she has been known as someone who had always been a person of significant rules and judgment. When she was able to accept her condition, she was able to let go of that trait; her mother became very playful after. She highlighted that being a care partner for someone living with dementia is one of the most creative and spiritual things you can do because it's new