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Join The Village and help shape conversations like this by submitting questions to our guests: https://www.patreon.com/cw/blueBellVillage ——— What does it mean when a former governor says caregiving was harder than public office? In this episode, Andrew Karesa sits down with former Wisconsin Governor Martin J. Schreiber, author of My Two Elaines, for a deeply personal conversation about loving, caring for, and slowly losing his wife Elaine after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Marty brings a perspective few people can offer. He has lived in the world of leadership, policy, and public responsibility, yet says the hardest role he ever held was caregiver. What unfolds in this conversation is not a political discussion, but a human one. It is about what dementia asks of a family, how caregiving changes your identity, and why so many people are unprepared for what the journey really becomes. Together, Andrew and Marty explore the emotional reality of caring for someone whose mind is changing over time. Marty reflects on the idea behind My Two Elaines: that the woman he loved was still there, but Alzheimer’s required him to relate to her differently. In turn, he had to become a different version of himself too. The conversation also explores the hidden toll caregiving takes on families, why caregivers must protect their own health, and what governments still fail to understand about supporting families living with dementia. In this episode: • Why caregiving was harder than being governor • The meaning behind My Two Elaines • How dementia changes both the person diagnosed and the caregiver • Why arguing with dementia often makes things worse • The emotional toll caregiving takes on spouses and families • Why caregivers must protect their own health • What policymakers still misunderstand about dementia care Whether you are caring for a spouse, supporting a parent, or trying to understand how dementia reshapes a family, this conversation offers honesty, perspective, and a reminder that even when memory changes, connection still matters. Learn more at:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bluebellvillage.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://mytwoelaines.com/index.php/about-martin/ Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Andrew Karesa, blueBell Village Ltd., or any of its employees, contractors, or team members. 1:2:51
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Harder Than Being Governor: Caring for My Wife with Alzheimer’s (with Gov. Martin Schreiber) | EP27

What happens to faith when memory fades, words disappear, and the person we knew begins to change in ways that feel unfamiliar, or even unsettling? In this episode of The Dementia Collective, Andrew Karesa sits down with Elisa Bosley, chaplain and founder of SpiritualElderCare.com, to explore how faith, music, and presence continue to matter in dementia care, especially near the end of life. Elisa begins by sharing her own origin story and how she was drawn into chaplaincy work with older adults. She reflects on what first surprised her when accompanying people living with dementia, and how those early experiences reshaped her understanding of faith, identity, and what it truly means to offer spiritual care. Much of the conversation centers on music, particularly hymns, and why they so often reach people long after other forms of communication have fallen away. Elisa explains how familiar songs can act as a bridge to comfort, connection, and peace, even when cognitive decline is advanced, and why music frequently carries spiritual meaning when spoken theology no longer does. Andrew and Elisa also explore the tension many families feel when a loved one’s beliefs or behaviours near the end of life seem incongruent with who they were earlier. They discuss common fears about faith, salvation, and whether dementia can somehow sever a person’s relationship with God. Rather than offering simplistic answers, Elisa speaks from her experience walking alongside individuals and families in long term care, emphasizing presence, reassurance, and trust over correction or fear. The conversation addresses chaplaincy in diverse care settings, including how Elisa approaches interfaith spaces with sensitivity and respect. She reflects on the difference between supporting someone spiritually and evangelizing them, and why honoring a person’s history, values, and sense of safety matters far more than imposing belief. Throughout the episode, Elisa returns to a consistent theme: that dignity, comfort, and connection are not lost simply because cognition changes. She shares what she has witnessed again and again in long term care, moments where peace, familiarity, and faith surface quietly through song, touch, or presence. In this episode: • Why hymns often reach people late in dementia • How music can act as a bridge to comfort and faith • What families fear when beliefs seem to change near the end of life • Whether dementia can affect a person’s relationship with God • The difference between spiritual support and evangelization • How chaplains navigate interfaith spaces in long term care • What brings peace and dignity near the end of life Whether you are a caregiver, a family member, or someone wrestling with questions about faith, memory, and meaning in dementia, this conversation offers reassurance, reflection, and a grounded reminder that presence often speaks louder than certainty. Learn more at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.bluebellvillage.ca⁠ https://spiritualeldercare.com ——— Join The Village and help shape conversations like this by submitting questions to our guests: https://www.patreon.com/cw/blueBellVillage ——— Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Andrew Karesa, blueBell Village Ltd., or any of its employees, contractors, or team members. 56:55
YouTube Video UExxYWcwUU01bW5IaEN3dFNkQ21kOUFFTE1FYUtYSHM2SC5DOTNDNjAwMzFFNUY5NzYy

Can Dementia Separate Us From God? (with Elisa Bosley) | EP26

What if good dementia care was not about getting everything right, but about understanding the person in front of you? In this episode, ⁠Andrew Karesa⁠ sits down with ⁠Dr. Natali Edmonds⁠, board certified geropsychologist and founder of ⁠Dementia Careblazers⁠, to explore what caregivers are rarely told about dementia care, and why striving for perfection often makes the journey harder, not better. Natali shares her path into geropsychology, from a formative moment during her clinical training that exposed how poorly systems serve older adults, to her work inside hospital and home based care settings. She reflects on why short appointments and blanket rules fail families, and how individualized, compassionate care makes a meaningful difference. Together, Andrew and Natali unpack the emotional weight caregivers carry, why self blame is so common, and how well intentioned strategies can sometimes increase stress for both caregivers and their loved ones. They also discuss early onset dementia, gaps in existing supports, the role of multidisciplinary care, and why listening to a person’s response matters more than following rigid guidance. In this episode: • Why good dementia care is not about perfection • What caregivers often overthink, and what they miss instead • How to evaluate advice and credentials in a crowded online space • Why explaining “you have dementia” can backfire • When safety strategies help, and when they hide unmet needs • The unique challenges of early onset dementia and younger caregivers • How self compassion changes the caregiving experience • What caregivers are doing better than they realize Whether you are caring for a loved one with dementia, navigating burnout and self doubt, or working professionally in aging and memory care, this conversation is a grounded reminder that doing your best does not mean doing everything right. Good dementia care is personal, human, and shaped by the person you are caring for. Learn more at:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bluebellvillage.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://careblazers.com⁠ ——— Join The Village and help shape conversations like this by submitting questions to our guests: https://www.patreon.com/cw/blueBellVillage Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Andrew Karesa, blueBell Village Ltd., or any of its employees, contractors, or team members. 1:10:20
YouTube Video UExxYWcwUU01bW5IaEN3dFNkQ21kOUFFTE1FYUtYSHM2SC4yNjFFMzVEMkVDRTRDOEMz

Good Dementia Care Isn’t Perfect (with Dr. Natali Edmonds) | EP25

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Want more informative and impactful demetia content? Check out The Dementia Collective for more information.