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Supporting Someone You Love With Dementia, An Honest Conversation With Carolyn Birrell

Message In The Middle
Message In The Middle
Episode • Mar 11, 2023 • 41m

Join me in this captivating discussion with Carolyn Birrell as she talks about her journey "Walking with Fay" in the midst of her mother's Dementia.  In this episode we will touch on:

  • How a loved one's Dementia diagnosis can sneak up on you
  • Signs of Dementia
  • What a day in the life can look like while caring for someone with Dementia
  • Highs and lows of caring for someone with Dementia
  • Lessons learned from the other side of the Dementia journey
  • Ways to ease your interactions when dealing with someone who has Dementia
  • Ways to connect when you're dealing with someone who has Dementia


Carolyn was a young retiree who had relocated after a successful career working for the American Cancer Society and then later, as a real estate agent. Soon after her move, she was faced with the realization that her mother had dementia and could no longer live by herself.  As a result, Carolyn and her sister relocated their mother, and Carolyn spent the next eight years caring for her aging mom while learning all things dementia. 

As Carolyn was going through this journey, she journaled about her feelings and the interactions with her mom and eventually she used those journals to write the book, Walking with Fay. 

You can see more of Carolynn here:

Connect with Marianne:


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