Welcome to the Support & Caregiving Blog.
This space offers gentle support, encouragement, and resources for caregivers, families, neurodivergent individuals, and those navigating developmental, sensory, medical, and memory-care journeys.
When people feel supported, connection and growth become possible.
When a Person With Dementia Says “I Want to Go Home”—Even When They Are Home
Why does someone with dementia say “I want to go home,” even when they are home? Learn what “home” may really mean and how caregivers can respond with connection, curiosity and compassion.
About the photo: A glimpse of “home” as my mom remembered it: her beloved blue heron—with its morning hot dog—in the foreground, while her husband helps their grandson prepare a fishing rod on the boat behind him.
The Many Faces of Independence
Every Fourth of July, we celebrate the independence of a nation. But some of the most meaningful celebrations of independence happen much closer to home.
A premature baby finally comes home from the hospital. A child masters a skill they once struggled with. An older adult holds on to another piece of their independence. A caregiver finds the courage to ask for help.
These quiet victories may never come with fireworks, but they change lives in ways that matter most.
The Most Important Dementia Skill I Had to Learn
I thought helping my mother meant helping her remember. Dementia taught me something very different. One simple change in how I responded transformed our relationship and brought us both more peace.
Why We Chose Arden Courts for My Mom
How do you know when it’s time to consider memory care? For our family, the answer wasn’t clear-cut. This is the story of how we navigated one of the most difficult caregiving decisions and what mattered most as we searched for the right environment for my mother.
Meeting My Mother Where She Is
Before dementia, my mom started each morning feeding a great blue heron she called Big Bird. Years later, a small talking cardinal, a book of bird photographs, and an unexpected comment from a memory care employee reminded me that connection doesn't disappear when memory changes. Sometimes we simply have to learn new ways to find it.