Stop Trying to Make Someone With Dementia Happy All the Time episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 13, 2026 · 10 MIN

Stop Trying to Make Someone With Dementia Happy All the Time

from Dementia Careblazers · host Natali Edmonds

If you have taken the car keys, stepped in on the checkbook, or said no to something your loved one with dementia badly wanted, you already know what comes next. They are hurt. They are angry. And they are angry at you. I want you to hear this first. Their unhappiness is not a report card on your caregiving. This is one of the hardest parts of dementia caregiving, because it does not just feel hard. It feels like proof you are getting it wrong. And that is exactly what it is not. In this episode I explain why trying to keep your loved one happy all the time puts their safety at risk, what it costs you on the days you have nothing left to give, and the one response almost every Careblazer skips, because we are so busy looking for the dementia response when what we really need is the human response. The Dementia Care Toolkit is officially available for pre-order. This book was written for the real-life moments of dementia caregiving, the moments when you're overwhelmed, unsure what to do, and need something practical to reach for. ➡️ Preorder the Dementia Care Toolkit Here: https://careblazers.com/toolkit  → Join the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc  → Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-podcast  ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Why them being upset with you does not mean you failed 1:27 - Reason one: the things you take away to keep them safe 3:36 - Reason two: what saying yes every time costs you 5:23 - Reason three: the human response we skip 8:03 - What it means when they are sad and you cannot fix it #dementia #dementiacaregiver #caregiverburnout #dementiacare --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.

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This episode is 10 minutes long.

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This episode was published on August 13, 2026.

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