My Story:

Hello there, I’m Larea, a Certified Dementia Specialist and a Registered Nurse with three decades of hands-on experience. My passion for supporting dementia caregivers ignited when I encountered the struggles of family caregivers of my hospitalized patients with dementia. 

Let me share a poignant story that opened my eyes to the crucial needs of caregivers at home. Around a decade ago, I was working in a hospital, caring for an elderly man battling Alzheimer’s Disease. He lived at home with his devoted wife, who served as his primary caregiver. When they first arrived at the hospital, she appeared visibly worn down and exhausted.

Once we settled him in, she went home for the night. The following day, she shared that it was the first night of good sleep she had experienced in a very long time. Her appearance transformed; she looked rested and calm in the days that followed.

Over the next few days, we had the opportunity to discuss their home life. She opened up about the challenges of caring for her husband at home, expressing that she felt it was her duty as his wife to provide all his care. He had been a bright man before the disease, and she wished to shield him from others witnessing his confused state.

We delved into the various caregiving responsibilities she shouldered. Most of the care mirrored what I provided to my patients as a nurse in the hospital. However, unlike me, she didn’t have another nurse down the hall to assist with feeding, changing, turning, or bathing him. Moreover, she didn’t get to leave at the end of her day; hers was a 24-hour nursing job at home without assistance. I shared every tip and technique I could think of, drawing from my experience as a nurse, to make her life a bit more manageable.

As the time for them to return home approached, we sat down to review their discharge instructions. While discussing, I noticed the stress slowly creeping back into her face. Even now, a decade later, I vividly recall the overwhelmed expression that marked her face as they prepared to leave that day.

This personal journey led me to create Alzheimer’s in Your Home in 2009, a haven for caregivers seeking wisdom, guidance, and a compassionate community.