In this special Holiday Episode of I Didn’t Sign Up for This, host Carolyn shares a short, heartfelt, and educational message designed specifically for caregivers navigating the hectic holiday season.

Whether you're caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, memory loss, chronic illness, mobility challenges, or aging-related needs, this episode offers gentle guidance and realistic strategies to help you find calm in the chaos.

Carolyn delivers compassionate insight into why the holidays often amplify caregiver stress, from changes in routine and overstimulation to emotional pressure, family expectations, and the unique needs of the person you care for. She offers simple, practical caregiving tips that can be implemented at any stage of the caregiver journey—whether you’re brand new to caregiving or years into supporting someone you love.

Listeners will find encouragement and actionable ideas about:

• Reducing holiday stress for caregivers and loved ones

• Managing expectations and creating realistic holiday plans

• Balancing family gatherings with the needs of someone living with Alzheimer’s or dementia

• Protecting routines, minimizing overstimulation, and choosing sensory-friendly activities

• Setting boundaries to prevent caregiver burnout

• Creating meaningful moments without overwhelm

• Finding joy, connection, and peace—even when the season looks different than before

This episode is a gentle reminder that it’s okay to slow down, simplify, and choose what works best for your family. Whether you're caring for a parent with dementia, supporting a spouse with chronic illness, or juggling multiple caregiving responsibilities, Carolyn’s message offers warmth, validation, and hope for a more manageable holiday season.

If you’ve been searching for holiday caregiver support, stress-relief tips for dementia caregivers, or ways to make this time of year smoother for both you and the person you care for—this episode is your soft place to land.

You can find caregiver activities on our website, www.AlzArk.org, and we are here to help you as you navigate this holiday season and all other seasons of life as a caregiver.

In this episode of I Didn’t Sign Up for This, host Carolyn sits down with Stephenie Cooke, Executive Director of Alzheimer’s Arkansas, for a vulnerable conversation about what it truly means to navigate the caregiver journey—both personally and professionally. Stephenie reflects on her earliest experience caring for her grandmother, a chapter that first introduced her to the realities of Alzheimer’s disease.

Now, she faces that journey again—this time with her mother, who is in the early stages of dementia. Stephenie shares what early-stage caregiving looks like from the inside: the uncertainty, the planning, and the importance of finding support early rather than waiting for a crisis. As both a daughter and an advocate, she shines a light on the gap between knowing about Alzheimer’s and living it.

In honor of Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, Stephenie also opens up about a reality many caregivers quietly hold onto: the possibility that dementia may one day be her story, too. She talks candidly about genetic risk and the importance of preparing emotionally, legally, and financially—not just for the person you care for, but for yourself.

Listeners will walk away with reminders that:

* Alzheimer’s awareness isn’t just about a month—it’s about a lifetime of care, learning, and community.

* The caregiver journey evolves at every stage, and no one should walk it alone.

* Love, responsibility, and hope can exist at the same time.

* Support services—like those offered by Alzheimer’s Arkansas—can be the lifeline caregivers didn’t know they needed.

Whether you’re caring for a parent with memory loss, supporting a spouse with dementia, or wondering what the future may hold for your own brain health, this episode offers honesty, validation, and encouragement from someone living every angle of the experience.

#caregiving #dementiaawareness #alzheimersdisease #healthy #hopeful #encourager #AlzheimersArkansas

In this impactful episode of I Didn’t Sign Up for This, presented by Alzheimer’s Arkansas, host Carolyn sits down with Jennifer Hobbs, who shares her deeply personal journey of caring for her husband after his early onset dementia diagnosis following a heart attack at age 61.

Jennifer opens up about the real-life “I didn’t sign up for this” moments as she navigates the emotional shift from being a wife and partner to becoming a full-time caregiver. She talks about how love looks different now, what keeps her grounded, and why staying present and connected through even the hardest days matters most.

Jennifer also emphasizes the importance of self-care and finding strength through caregiver support programs, like the workshops and resources offered by Alzheimer’s Arkansas. These opportunities give caregivers a safe space to connect, share experiences, and gain practical tools to manage the emotional and physical demands of caregiving. As Jennifer explains, caring for yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential to being the best support for your loved one.

This episode shines a light on the realities of spousal caregiving, the emotional toll of dementia care, and the strength it takes to keep showing up when life doesn’t go as planned. Jennifer’s story is one of love, loyalty, and resilience—a reminder that while the caregiving journey may be long, no one has to walk it alone.

#caregiving #dementia #AlzheimersArkansas #memories #caregiversupport #selfcare #family #dementiaawareness #resilience #spousalcaregiver