Episode 299: Caring Through Crisis: Dementia, Aging, and the Sandwich Generation with Nicole Smith

Описание: When three dementia diagnoses hit her family at once, Nicole Smith, Author of Diagnosis Dementia, didn’t plan to become an expert—she had no choice. In this episode, Melissa Joy, CFP®, talks with Nicole about navigating the overwhelming realities of caregiving for aging parents while raising kids, maintaining a career, and trying to hold everything together.


Nicole shares her personal story of managing care for three parents across multiple states during COVID, the lessons she learned about elder care, and why she now advocates for better preparation and open communication around aging and incapacity.


Key Topics Covered:

•  How to manage multiple dementia diagnoses within one family.
•  Building your caregiving “team” with medical, legal, and financial professionals.
• Why early planning and clear documentation make all the difference.
•  How to have difficult family conversations about aging, capacity, and long-term care.
• Balancing caregiving, parenting, and personal well-being as part of the “sandwich generation.”
• Why lifestyle choices—like sleep, exercise, and stress management—can help prevent dementia.
•  The emotional side of caregiving: guilt, burnout, and learning to set boundaries.

Melissa and Nicole also discuss how professionals—financial advisors, attorneys, and healthcare providers—can help families prepare before a crisis and support caregivers with empathy and clarity.


✨ This conversation is both practical and deeply human—a reminder that caring for others starts with caring for yourself.


Connect with Nicole Smith:
Website: njsmithbooks.com (https://njsmithbooks.com/)
Instagram: @dementiabookreview
LinkedIn:   / utnicolesmith  


Daughterhood.org (https://www.daughterhood.org/) – caregiver support community


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