Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles
CAREGIVER STRESS & CAREGIVER RELIEF; THE HIDDEN CRISIS IN DEMENTIA CARE
Aug 24, 2026 · 52 min · 11 segments
Caregiving can feel like a private struggle, but the numbers and the lived reality say it’s a hidden crisis. We sit down with Diane, a nurse with 53 years of experience and the founder of…
Caregiving can feel like a private struggle, but the numbers and the lived reality say it’s a hidden crisis. We sit down with Diane, a nurse with 53 years of experience and the founder of CaregiverRelief.com, to talk about what dementia caregiving really does to families and why so many caregivers feel like they’re carrying the whole load alone. Diane traces her “why” back to her grandmother’s Alzheimer’s journey and the kind of moment every family hopes for: connection that still breaks through the fog. From there, we get honest about the long arc of caregiving, including how early grief and responsibility shape a caregiver’s life, why burnout is more than “being tired,” and how relationships can wither when your world becomes meds, meals, safety, and constant vigilance. Then we go straight at the system. Diane explains the gaps she sees in dementia care support, why navigating hospitals, rehab, and long-term care can overwhelm anyone without a medical background, and what scares her about cost-sharing and Medicare Advantage co-pays tied to skilled nursing and rehab. Most importantly, she gives practical tools you can use right now: build a caregiver relief group, assign people to check on the caregiver, and put a family caregiver contract in place so time off and support are clear and fair. If you’re caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s or supporting someone who is, hit play, share this with your village, and then subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what kind of help would actually make your week easier. Make sure to visit caregivingrelief.com to learn more about Diane and listen to her podcast. Exec. Producer/Host: J Smiles Comedy Producer: Mia Hall Editor: Annelise Udoye Support the show *"*Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"** IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup TEXT 'PODCAST" to +1 404 737 1449 - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi! Be sure to leave us a review!
Caregiving can feel like a private struggle, but the numbers and the lived reality say it’s a hidden crisis. We sit down with Diane, a nurse with 53 years of experience and the founder of…
