Personal stories shape the caregiver narrative.

CAREGIVER STORIES AND JOURNEYS

Celebs continue sharing their caregiving journeys.

Stories are a universal currency. They offer connection, learning, and inspiration.

Chris Hemsworth joins the growing list of celebs with a caregiving story to share. Care advocates gathered to watch a screening of Hemsworth’s new documentary in Washington DC last week. The focus of the film was the Australian motorbike trip he took with his father diagnosed with dementia.

The documentary will be available on National Geographic, Disney Plus, and Hulu later in November. I’m placing this documentary on my “to watch list.” I appreciate Hemsworth made time to plan and take this trip with his father. He recognized time is finite and none of us can control it. Seizing the moment is key.

Other caregivers such as Jay Leno, share how fortunate they are. “I’ve been very lucky in my life. My wife is fighting dementia and all that, but it’s not cancer. It’s not a tumor.”

He makes it a point to always be home at night, even when traveling for work. I can’t help emphasizing how lucky he is to schedule his work as he wishes, while having the resources and support to provide the best care for his wife.

My Take: If a celebrity uses their platform to be vulnerable and offer a perspective on caregiving, I’m here for it. And, caregivers need more. We need community, policy, resources, and the normalization of providing care.

Last week, I shared national caregiver resources. This week’s newsletter highlights a few resources for those living in the state of Washington. Please note the 211 support line is a national number that all can use.

News for you.

• Looking for new ideas to keep breakfast healthy? Check out Dan Martin.

• Minnesota’s Paid Family Leave Law becomes official January 1, 2026! Yay!!

• I’m always looking for ways to increase my energy. Why didn’t I think of this?

• MapHabit could be a support to help “visually map” your caregiving efforts.

THE FUTURE OF DEMENTIA CARE

The concept of the “village” is not antiquated. It could be the answer dementia caregivers need.

Washington DC seniors hold the highest rate of dementia in the US today.

A few countries, including the Netherlands, have created “village models” to address dementia care. This approach, which “fosters social inclusion, was pioneered abroad but remains rare in the United States because of its cost.” It looks like the the appetite to explore this model is increasing. We’re at a crossroads with healthcare and caregiver care. We do not have enough of either for the current and not too distant needs many of us will face

A founder of a dementia village in the Netherlands stated, “People are not stupid. They want to live, not be treated constantly as patients. Care is only five percent of the day. The other 95 percent is about living and wellbeing.”

You can read the article in full here until the 13th of November for free.

My Take: The ability to provide a loved one the best possible care is directly linked to quality of life. This is every caregiver’s goal.

Yet, our healthcare system is cost heavy. Many times that cost does not and will not translate to increased care or a better quality of life.

Let’s be open to all models of care to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.