Why 30 Years of Dementia Caregiving Broke Every Assumption She Had (with Lori La Bey)

What happens when a family is left to navigate dementia without clear guidance or support?In this episode, Andrew Karesa sits down with Lori La Bey, founder of Alzheimer’s Speaks, to explore what a decades-long caregiving journey reveals about the realities of dementia care.Lori supported her mother through a 30-year experience with dementia. What began as confusion and uncertainty became a lifelong commitment to understanding care, building community, and creating space for voices that were often missing from the conversation.She shares what those early years looked like, what families are often not prepared for, and why so much of caregiving happens outside of formal systems. Lori reflects on the gap between diagnosis and real support, the role of community in navigating that gap, and how her work has helped reshape how caregivers connect, learn, and support one another.This conversation moves beyond theory. It focuses on what caregiving actually looks like over time, and what it takes to support someone while adapting to constant change.In this episode:• What a 30-year dementia journey reveals about caregiving• The gap between diagnosis and meaningful support• Why families often feel like they are figuring it out on their own• How community-based models like memory cafés are changing care• The role of lived experience in shaping better support systems• How dementia conversations have evolved over time• Why connection matters as much as clinical careWhether you are caring for a loved one, supporting someone through a diagnosis, or working in the dementia space, this episode offers a grounded look at what long-term caregiving really requires.Care doesn’t begin with a system. It begins with people finding their way forward, often before anyone shows them how.Learn more at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bluebellvillage.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://alzheimersspeaks.comhttps://dementiamap.com———Join The Village and help shape conversations like this by submitting questions to our guests: https://www.patreon.com/cw/blueBellVillage———Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Andrew Karesa, blueBell Village Ltd., or any of its employees, contractors, or team members.