Show Up, Stay Present, Keep Finding Ways to Connect: Four Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

28 Jul 2026 · 26 min · S3 E67

Episode Show Up, Stay Present, Keep Finding Ways to Connect: Four Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

0:00 25:43

“When I look back on my caregiving experience, I found a purpose and a true sense of self that I didn’t know I had. Yes, there was a lot of drama and a lot of trauma, but I look back and think - this was a great experience and something I feel good about doing for the people I love.” - Nancy Treaster

There’s a moment in dementia caregiving where you realize your relationship has fundamentally changed. Your loved one may no longer recognize your name, your face, or the decades you’ve shared together. How do you keep loving someone through that? How do you stay present when the person in front of you is both familiar and a stranger?

We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we’ve navigated these moments personally - and we’re sharing what we’ve learned about showing up, staying present, and working to keep finding ways to connect with your loved one as their memory fades. Nancy’s chapter, “Love Beyond Memory,” is featured in the Caregivers Advocate, Volume 3.

Let’s explore four tips for loving beyond memory - even when the person you love doesn’t remember who you are.

Connect with us and share your tips:

• Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/ • Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/ • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/ • Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.org, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.org

Full Show Notes

https://thecaregiversjourney.org/67-show-up-stay-present-keep-finding-ways-to-connect-four-tips-alzheimers-and-other-dementias/

Additional Resources Mentioned

• Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney • The Caregiver’s Advocate Volume 3: https://amzn.to/4vS5Cy8 • The Caregiver’s Journey Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap: https://roadmap.thecaregiversjourney.org/ Available as an interactive page on our website that walks you through the three stages of your dementia family caregiver journey. Includes the option to download the guide for free.

Takeaways

We shared 4 tips:

• Don't flip the switch • Let go of who they were, and fall in love with who they are now • Redefine what connection means • Give yourself permission to get help — before you are drowning