Finding Resilience & Connection in Dementia Caregiving with Angela Lunde, M.A., Associate in Neurology at Mayo Clinic in the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center & Joan Carp, Care Partner
How do caregivers find the strength to continue day after day, navigating the complexities of dementia?It's a journey that demands resilience, patience, and an often-overlooked capacity to find joy in the simplest moments. Our guest, Angela Lunde, M.A., has dedicated over 20 years to understanding the experiences of those living with dementia and their care partners. Her insights into the emotional landscape of caregiving are both profound and encouraging.
Angela is not just a researcher but a true advocate, working tirelessly to improve the quality of life for people impacted by dementia. She serves as an Associate in Neurology at the Mayo Clinic’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and has contributed to numerous publications and books on topics ranging from mild cognitive impairment to innovative solutions for wellbeing. Angela believes in the power of community and the importance of reducing stigma, integrating persons with dementia into everyday life, and supporting those who care for them. Today, Angela sheds light on the ways caregivers find resilience, how new patterns of communication can transform relationships, and the role of acceptance in navigating the caregiving journey.
In this episode, we'll also discuss the Connect2Caregivers Study at Mayo Clinic, a research initiative aimed at providing peer-to-peer emotional support for dementia caregivers. We'll be joined by Joan Carp, a care partner for her husband living with Alzheimer's, who has personally experienced the benefits of a mindfulness-based dementia caring program. Together, we talk about the real-life challenges caregivers face, the surprising sources of strength they tap into, and the importance of creating supportive, connected communities. Whether you're a caregiver, a family member, or someone interested in the well-being of those impacted by dementia, this conversation promises to be heartfelt, insightful, and inspiring.
Listen to our episode HERE.
Resources mentioned in episode:
Mindfulness Based Dementia Care – Presence Care - https://presencecareproject.com/
Book: Day to Day – A guide for offering care and support - https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/product/day-to-day-living-with-dementia/
Mayo Clinic Dementia Hub - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/dementia-hub/
Dementia Action Alliance https://daanow.org/
Lorenzo’s House https://lorenzoshouse.org/
Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org/
About Angela Lunde, M.A.
For over 20 years, Ms. Lunde M.A. has been engaged in the important work of understanding the experience of those impacted by dementia with the hope of making a positive difference. Her research is focused on the quality of life and emotional factors experienced by those living with dementia and care partners. From her work with family care partners, she has seen how resilience emerges from adjusting priorities and expectations, learning new patterns of communication, seeing the delight in ordinary things, and the practice of acceptance. Ms. Lunde has been involved in numerous partnerships to create dementia accommodating communities, reduce stigma, and support the inclusion of persons living with dementia into everyday community life.
Ms. Lunde is an Associate in Neurology at Mayo Clinic in the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. In addition to two books, she has contributed to numerous articles and scientific publications on mild cognitive impairment, dementia, caregiving, and innovative solutions toward wellbeing.
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