From the desk of Rosemary Laird, MD
Founder of Navigating Aging Needs (NAN), LLC
A Lesson from Dolly Parton
I felt a pang in my heart when I heard about the passing of Dolly Parton. She not only was a “national treasure” and a spectacular entertainer and songwriter, but by all accounts she was also a warm, loving, and decent human being.
She was also a caregiver. She took care of her husband during a multi-year illness until he died in 2025. And in a recent video, she admitted that she wished that she had looked after herself more during that time. As she put it, “I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of.”
Do You Believe In Magic?
Like any caregiver of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, these professionals know that the most important thing is to show up, every day, and do what you can. You are going to have good days and bad days, and sometimes the ball just isn’t going to bounce your way.
Take Care!
It’s no secret that caregiving for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's is a hard, sometimes debilitating task. What’s more, study after study has confirmed that caregivers can suffer from high levels of stress, depression, and anxiety, which can lead to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline.
Keeping Your Balance
For a caregiver of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's, you are continually challenged to find the balance between sadness and joy, between being present and long-term planning, and between caring for your loved one and caring for yourself. That’s not always easy, but your NAN navigator is here to help you maintain your equilibrium.
The Power of Resilience
As strong as you caregivers are, it is still essential to pause now and then, to check in with yourself and make sure your mind, body, and spirit are getting what you need to continue. That’s why we here at NAN share tools, guidance, and support to help you pause, take stock, and strengthen yourself for the road ahead. Resilience is a skill that is best learned and sustained with others, and it’s important to remember that we are part of your team.
Take Care of Yourself!
As the Global Selfcare Federation puts it, “this International Self-Care Day celebrates the value and potential of self-care” as a “fundamental act of self-love and self-preservation.” It’s the phrase “self-preservation” that is key: Caring for yourself is often regarded as an indulgence, a “guilty pleasure” that you do as a luxury, not as a necessity.