Conversations With a Caregiver began when I joined a forum for caregivers and found that their personal experiences connected with me more than any book I found. The books give a lot about the disease of dementia, but little about the actual experience of caregiving. I wanted to know how other caregivers coped with the day to day struggle and how they managed all of it.
As I began to share my own caregiving experiences on this forum, I felt connected with this group of people I never met. It was then that I saw how gathering this group of people together was such a positive experience. I saw the need that caregivers have, to validate what they do, to give them permission to laugh and cry about the nuances of dementia, and to speak frankly and honestly about what happens on a daily basis while caregiving.
I am a writer and educator. My teaching involved working with students who needed specialized social, emotional, educational, and physical adaptations, to find success in school and in life. I came to understand that success looks different for each individual and I guided each one with the development of a specialized plan that met their individual needs. I pulled together a team that consisted of other teachers, parents, the child’s doctors, and counselors to support the student in all areas. This experience has been the backbone of my caregiving.
Conversations With A Caregiver began as a way to make space for the real, complicated, deeply human moments of caring for someone you love—and to offer practical encouragement for the road ahead.
My why
A story shaped by caregiving—and by listening
Caregiving can be isolating. It can also be full of quiet courage, humor, grief, and love—often all in the same day. I wrote this book to reflect those truths back to you, without judgment or perfection.
Through conversations, reflections, and hard-earned lessons, my goal is to help caregivers feel seen and supported—and to offer language for experiences that are difficult to explain to anyone who hasn’t lived them.
How I work
Stories first. Practical help, always.
I believe the best guidance is grounded in real life. You’ll find honest stories alongside tools you can use right away—conversation starters, reflection prompts, and reminders that you’re allowed to ask for help.
A note to you
If you’re caring for someone, you’re not alone
Maybe you’re juggling appointments, medications, and paperwork. Maybe you’re navigating role changes in your family. Maybe you’re exhausted—and still showing up.
This book is for adult caregivers caring for other adults: partners, parents, relatives, friends. It’s for the people who love deeply and carry a lot. It’s also for supporters who want to understand what caregiving really feels like.
You don’t have to do this perfectly. You just have to do the next right thing—and you deserve support while you do it.
— Conversations With A Caregiver
On this site, you’ll find companion resources, reflections, and a growing library of posts meant to steady you on hard days and celebrate the small wins on the good ones.
What readers often tell me
These are the kinds of responses I hope this work earns—steadying, practical, and deeply human.
★★★★★
“I felt understood for the first time in a long time. It was like someone finally put words to what I’ve been carrying.”
A. Reader
Family caregiver
★★★★★
“The stories were honest, but the takeaways were what I needed—small steps I could actually try the same week.”
M. Reader
Care partner
★★★★★
“This reminded me that asking for help isn’t failure—it’s part of staying in it for the long haul.”
J. Reader
Adult child caregiver