Have you ever noticed your loved one with dementia is calm, nothing seems to be wrong, and then the moment you shift your attention to someone else they completely change? They get demanding, upset, anxious, or jealous that you are not there giving them attention. It can feel like they cannot stand not being the center of your attention, and understandably that leaves you feeling frustrated, resentful, and confused. It is not jealousy. It is not manipulation.
In this episode I share two real life examples of this, explain what is happening in the brain that causes it, and walk you through what actually helps when your attention has to go somewhere else.
If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here.
→ Learn about the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc
⏱ CHAPTERS
0:00 - When your attention shifts and everything changes
1:16 - Two real life examples from Careblazers
2:52 - Why this is attachment distress, not jealousy
5:07 - Why it feels so personal, and a reframe that helps
5:54 - What actually helps when you have to step away
→ My new book, The Dementia Care Toolkit is officially available for pre-order. ➡️ Preorder your copy here: https://careblazers.com/toolkit
→ Get free weekly tools and tips in my newsletter, The Dementia Dose: https://tinyurl.com/dementiadose-podcast
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Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world.
This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
