From Moving Across States to Finding Help in Unexpected Places: Jessica Guthrie's 12 Year + Caregiving Journey - EP 172

When Jessica Guthrie’s mom, Constance, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at just 65 years old, Jessica was only 26. Nearly 12 years later, Jessica has experienced the caregiving journey through changing routines, wandering, researching memory care, hiring in-home caregivers, moving back into her childhood home, hospice and now providing around-the-clock care for her mom in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s.

In this deeply personal conversation, Jessica returns to Desperately Seeking Senior Living to share what that journey has really looked like - including the things she wishes she had known earlier.

✓ Why Jessica ultimately left her life in Texas and moved home to Virginia

✓ How routines and a familiar environment helped her mom

✓ Why dementia caregiving requires trying, adjusting and trying again

✓ Her experience researching memory care and in-home care

✓ What families should know when hiring caregivers

✓ Why the energy caregivers bring into the room matters

✓ The reality of caring for someone with advanced Alzheimer’s

✓ How Jessica thinks about hospice and the end of life

✓ The unexpected people who became part of her caregiving support system

✓ Why an Alzheimer’s diagnosis doesn’t mean joy, connection and making memories have to end