Alma Valencia shares her 10-year journey caring for her mother with frontotemporal dementia, explaining how caregiving roles evolve from a helper to a full-time protector.

She discusses balancing family responsibilities, stepping away from her career, building community through her Instagram accounts, and finding small moments of joy amid challenges.

Alma emphasizes the need for understanding and collaboration between caregivers and healthcare professionals, advocating for a more inclusive approach to dementia care.

To learn more about Alma and her work, please find her on Instagram at: @mom_has_dementia and @thecaregivercomadre

Many thanks to Alma for sharing her time with us!

In this conversation, Erna and Megan discuss the challenges faced by caregivers in 2026, emphasizing the need for community support, the importance of respite, and the impact of Medicaid cuts. They explore the necessity of self-care for caregivers and the importance of taking action to support one another. The discussion highlights the need for collective values in caregiving and the importance of finding common ground across political divides. The conversation concludes with a call to action for caregivers to take care of themselves and each other as they navigate the complexities of caregiving.

In this episode of the Whole Caregiver podcast, hosts Erna and Megan engage in a heartfelt conversation with Jillian Arnold, author of 'Soaring Together.' They explore Jillian's journey as a caregiver, the emotional complexities of caring for children with disabilities, and the importance of inclusion and understanding differences. The discussion delves into the balance between caregiving and personal identity, the toll of caregiving on mental health, and the profound impact of loss. Jillian shares her insights on finding beauty in non-traditional lives and the lessons learned from her children, emphasizing that life can be beautiful even when it doesn't fit the typical mold. Jillian also shares how her creative projects—podcast, merch, and a book—help sustain purpose and connection.

If we want to learn more about Jillian's book and where to find it, check out her website:

https://www.confessionsofararediseasemama.com/donate