Anxiety, Dementia and Care partners

Caregivers of individuals with dementia experience a unique form of grief called 'double grief'—losing the person they once knew while simultaneously watching them deteriorate and lose their identity. Pete DCalke, host of Pete vs Anxiety, shares his personal experience with two grandmothers who had dementia, explaining how family members must constantly remind loved ones of their identities and navigate unpredictable episodes. He emphasizes that caregivers should educate themselves about dementia to better understand the disease process, which can help them accept the situation. Pete also discusses how mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and other disorders are interconnected, and offers practical advice including breathwork, journaling, meditation, and seeking professional help. He stresses that people are not alone in their struggles and that it's okay not to be okay.