Why No One Talks About Dementia Caregiver Burnout

In this National Hospice Month episode, the Second Season's first episode, host Patricia M Sears of Graceful Transitions speaks with Lori Rizzo, a certified end-of-life doula and dementia practitioner from Compassionate Crossings, about the urgent need to reduce stigma around dementia and transform how we support families navigating this journey. With nearly 7 million Americans living with dementia and 12 million providing unpaid care—often quietly and exhausted—Lori shares practical guidance on early conversations, person-centered care approaches, and how communities can step up to support the "circle of care" surrounding someone with dementia. From understanding the importance of getting tested early to learning how to visit a loved one with dementia, this conversation offers hope and actionable tools for families facing one of healthcare's most isolating challenges. Whether you're planning ahead, supporting aging parents, or helping a loved one through this transition, this episode provides the compassionate framework to talk about dementia the way we talk about heart disease or diabetes—openly, without shame, and with dignity.Resources that Lori mentioned in our conversation and others she's sharing:Dementia Minds - ⁠https://dementiaminds.org/⁠ Support groups are for persons living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Training and tips for caregivers: Positive Approach to Care (Teepa Snow) ⁠https://teepasnow.com/⁠ Caregiver training ⁠Free videos on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSXrEX7LkWOmfTaV6u1C7wQ'⁠Adria Thompson - ⁠https://www.belightcare.com/⁠ Speech Pathologist.Offers a ton of short videos and more! Follow on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeCaregiver Resources Daughterhood offers a free, virtual dementia support group, “Circles,” that empowers family caregivers with emotional and practical support throughout the caregiving journey.⁠https://daughterhood.org/⁠GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) Model - Medicare coverage for a comprehensive package of care coordination and care management for people with dementia, along with support for qualifying caregivers, including education and respite services. ⁠https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/guide⁠Alzheimer's Association ⁠https://www.alz.org/⁠Alzheimer's Foundation of America ⁠https://alzfdn.org/⁠Conversation and Advance Care Directives The Conversation Project - Starter guide for caregivers of people with dementia: ⁠https://theconversationproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DementiaGuide.pdf⁠Compassion and Choices Dementia Values and Priorities Tool: ⁠https://compassionandchoices.org/dementia-values-tool/⁠About the podcast: In Conversation with an End-of-Life Specialist is hosted by Patricia (Trish) Sears, an End-of-Life Navigator and founder of Graceful Transitions in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, serving globally. New episodes are recorded live on the third Wednesday of each month, 4p –5p ET, with a live Q&A for Graceful Lifers.Join the Graceful Lifers community at Substack for exclusive invitations to join live audience and Q&A sessions with guests and deeper conversations about navigating life's thresholds.You can find the hub of Graceful Transitions' work at Linktr.ee/pmsears