Karen Sandone joins me today to share the deeply personal story of caring for her husband Anthony after his younger onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and what it has meant for their marriage, their family, and her own identity. This conversation is for anyone navigating dementia caregiving, grieving a partner who is still physically present, or trying to understand how to support someone living this reality.We discuss Anthony’s early symptoms, the long road to diagnosis, the emotional and practical weight of caregiving, and the community Karen has built through Surviving the Now. Karen also offers concrete advice for caregivers and for friends who want to show up in meaningful ways.

You’ll Learn:

• Karen introduces Anthony as the funny, athletic, talkative person she has known since grade school and later reunited with in adulthood.
• The first warning signs appeared during COVID in 2020, including word-finding issues, unfinished sentences, memory lapses, getting lost, and trouble interpreting GPS.
• Karen explains how the diagnosis changed their marriage from husband and wife into a caregiver-patient relationship, with many daily “lasts” along the way.
• She describes the emotional toll of caregiving as a form of grief, including selling their home to help cover care costs and watching Anthony’s abilities decline.
• Karen talks about shifting from “why me” to “watch me,” and using her voice to advocate for caregivers and for Anthony.
• Their six children and grandchildren have become part of the support system, with Anthony’s children helping with care, logistics, and emotional support.

Connect with Karen:

Follow Karen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksandone/

Follow Surviving the Now on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575290213823

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ksandone

Surviving the Now: https://survivingthenow.com/

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

Parenting adult kids asks us to trade control for connection and learn how to love in a way that fits who they are now. I share the mindset shifts that help me move from managing my kids’ lives to being invited into the lives they are building.
• noticing when the parenting “job description” changes
• shifting from manager to mentor with trust and restraint
• asking questions that connect rather than create pressure
• avoiding comparison and becoming a safe place without measurement
• treating boundaries as growth rather than rejection
• entering our adult kids’ worlds as guests with curiosity
• supporting without fixing and letting struggle build capability
• reflecting on being needed versus being chosen
If this conversation resonated with you, I'd love for you to listen to my recent episode that we'll be dropping with Olivia Burnett, host of 20 Something. I'd love to hear from you too. What's been the biggest adjustment for you in parenting adult children? Or if you're a 20-something, what's one thing you wish your parents understood?

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/

What if moving forward after loss doesn’t mean moving on? When you’re grieving, it can be hard to know how to take the next step, especially when the world seems to expect you to eventually return to “normal.” In this conversation, Kate Doerge shares how losing her daughter, Penny, along with the earlier losses of her parents, changed the way she thinks about grief, healing, and what it means to carry someone’s legacy forward. Her experience navigating grief led her to write her book, Reimagining Grief and launch Penny’s Flight Foundation, creating ways to honor Penny’s life while helping others navigate loss. Throughout this conversation, she shares five actions that have helped her move through grief while still making room for connection, joy, purpose, and the signs she feels from loved ones who have passed.

You'll Learn:

• How to reimagine grief: Shift from the idea of “moving on” to choosing how you carry grief forward.
• Ways to stay connected: Use stories, shared memories, and simple conversations to keep loved ones present and help others feel less alone.
• How to celebrate a loved one: Find meaningful, personal ways to honor who they were instead of feeling limited by traditional expectations around grief.
• How to turn pain into purpose: Channel grief into helping others, sharing your story, or creating something meaningful in your loved one's honor.
• How grief and joy can coexist: Give yourself permission to experience moments of joy without feeling like they diminish your loss.
• Practical ways to take the next step: Create a simple daily routine, move your body, and name three things you're grateful for when getting through the day feels difficult.

Links:

Connect with Kate:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doergek

Website: https://www.katedoerge.com/

Penny’s Flight Foundation: https://pennysflight.org/

Join a Penny’s Flight chapter near you: https://pennysflight.org/pages/student-chapters

Get a copy of Kate’s book: Reimagining Grief: A New Path to Finding Healing, Strength, and Joy after Loss: https://www.amazon.com/Reimagining-Grief-Finding-Healing-Strength/dp/B0G3KN3SKN/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0

Get a copy of Amy’s Best selling book: CANNONBALL! FEARLESSLY Facing Midlife and Beyond here

Make sure to share with friends and family and would love if you could leave a review. There are so many shows out there floating around and if you are finding value in the The Right Sized Life Podcast share it with the world – a review means so much.

And sign up for the Radiant Woman Reset here

And don’t forget to follow along on all the socials:

http://instagram.com/theamy.schmidt

https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyfacingfifty/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schmidt-a5684412/