{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2F94a09c40-5bd5-49d0-904c-ee72cca20a69","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"","title":"034. You have to Laugh to Keep from Crying: How to Parent your Parents","description":"Fifteen years ago, there were plenty of medical books about Alzheimer\u2019s and dementia, but few guides from a caregiver\u2019s perspective. Author and Speaker Charlotte Canion decided to write a book called You Have to Laugh to Keep from Crying: How to Parent Your Parents with this in mind. She knew a conversational how-to guide would\u2019ve helped others like herself who had to care for loved ones in their older age.This week Charlotte shares her experiences caring for her parents and her father-in-law with Senior Services Expert Lori Williams. She\u2019ll also explain helpful tips for caring for parents or spouses with dementia, as well as her \u201c4 golden rules\u201d to bear in mind to make the experience easier and even joyful for everyone involved.Topics discussed:-\u00a0Caregiving tips for your loved ones- Dementia, Alzheimer\u2019s, and Parkinson\u2019s-\u00a0Finding purpose as you age-\u00a0Discovering joy in caregiving-\u00a0Making memories with senior parents-\u00a0Trying new things at any ageTakeaways from this episode:-\u00a0Even if you\u2019re \u201cparenting your parents,\u201d it\u2019s helpful and healing to make memories with each other. Find something to connect on.-\u00a0If your parents or loved ones had a passion, find an avenue to help them do it again. This helps them find purpose and contribute - and may even help their overall well-being.-\u00a0Love your parents unconditionally, and don\u2019t give them grief for their condition.-\u00a0\u00a0In a sense you become the parent and they become the child, but don\u2019t lose your respect for their perspective. It will make your life so much easier if you agree when they say the sky is purple!-\u00a0Have patience for them when they\u2019re struggling. They\u2019ll do and say things that you don\u2019t understand, but try to roll with the punches.-\u00a0Your loved ones may say something uncharacteristic of themselves. That\u2019s the disease talking, not them. Find forgiveness to set yourself free and cast off the weight of your grief.Resources mentioned in this episode:You Have to Laugh to Keep from Crying: How to Parent Your Parents\u00a0https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XK5D7J4/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1Sparks!: Ignite Your Way to Successhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08D2DY68Q/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0Dementia from a daughter's perspective:https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/77cb0bff/008-dementia-journey-from-a-daughters-perspective","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/1bfacc2a-972c-48e6-8bca-6af5306c63dc/23108943afb058f2fcf9e7824ffc27b8-square-big.jpg"}