CONVERSATIONS, STORIES & REFLECTIONS
From Donna’s Journal
Honest conversations about caregiving, dementia, family, resilience, and finding grace in the everyday.
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Caregivers Help Evade Life’s Chaos
Dementia gives the feeling of not belonging. Discontentment with the current situation, and lost connections in memory that no longer give one a foundation for emotional security, merge creating great apprehension in our loved ones. It is our job as caregivers to…
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Caregivers Can Celebrate the Small Things
Life is a journey filled with lessons, growth, and quiet moments that shape who we become. Every challenge teaches us strength, every failure brings wisdom, and every small step forward is a victory worth celebrating. When we learn to appreciate the present…
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Truth Goes Awry
Truth Goes Awry Caring for an adult with dementia often requires some quick thinking. When Marjory asked why none of her family had been to see her, I did stop and give it some thought before answering. I went with the truth. …
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Whose Teeth Are on the Floor?
Dementia robs memory. by Donna B. Barratt I am the caregiver for my mother-in-law who has dementia. She has only top dentures. Her lower teeth are natural. She used to take out her dentures and brush them daily, in the privacy of…
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Be Present
Is your heart in what you do each day? Do you actively seek joy, connection, and communion with the beauty of the Earth? Are you able to move slowly, letting go of meaningless tasks and letting your senses lead you to an…
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Training Wheels
I told you in that first post that I was a teacher. I am not a nurse. I am a mom, but not a nurse. Bandaid expert yes, but I consult Google for all things medical, because……I am NOT a nurse. I…
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In The Beginning
I did not intend to be a caregiver. I retired from teaching and was very happy to do a bit of substitute teaching and educational writing. My husband, Calvin and I were spending about four out of seven days driving almost two…
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Welcome to Conversations With a Caregiver
Now that you are here, I invite you to sit with me and share some conversations. I am a caregiver for my mother-in-law, Marjory. She will be 100 years old this year (2026). The purpose of this site is to engage a…