Alzheimer’s Caregiving Journey: She Never Wanted It

Today on Chatting with Betsy, Betsy Wurzel welcomes Marilyn Raichle, author of Don’t Walk Away: A Care Partner’s Journey. In this touching and meaningful conversation, the Alzheimer’s caregiving journey is shared through Marilyn’s personal story of caring for her mother while also navigating her father’s Parkinson’s disease.

If you are wondering how to better support a loved one with dementia, this conversation offers real-life insight into what it truly means to be a care partner. It highlights the importance of patience, education, and learning how to connect in new and meaningful ways.

Marilyn shares how art played a powerful role in enriching her mother’s well-being, and how the people around her mother became like family. She emphasizes that care partners must slow down, listen, and meet their loved ones where they are. One of the most important messages from this discussion is that people living with dementia deserve to be treated with love, respect, and dignity at all times.

Betsy and Marilyn also reflect on how this journey created a deep, unconditional bond between Marilyn and her mother—one she will always cherish. They explore how what Marilyn calls the “gift of Alzheimer’s” changed their perspectives and helped them grow into better, more compassionate individuals. Their story was even featured in an Emmy Award-winning TV news report in 2013, highlighting Jean’s artwork and their life together.

In a very honest moment, Marilyn shares that she never wanted to become a care partner, yet the experience became life-changing. It led her to help others through her book, her advocacy, and her creation of The Art of Alzheimer’s, which celebrates the creativity of those living with dementia.

Betsy and Marilyn also discuss the importance of education for care partners—understanding a diagnosis, managing behaviors, living in the moment, practicing self-care, and seeking support from both family and the medical community.

Another important part of the conversation focuses on Maude’s Awards, founded by Richard Ferry in honor of his wife, Maude. These awards recognize innovation and excellence in Alzheimer’s care, offering three annual $25,000 awards to organizations and up to $5,000 to individuals. Applications are open until May 19th. Learn more here:   https://maudesawards.org/

Marilyn explains that she wrote her book to help erase the fear of Alzheimer’s, reduce stigma, and show that people living with Alzheimer’s can still be creative, joyful, and engaged in life.
Her book is available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover formats.

About the Book
Don’t Walk Away: A Care Partner’s Journey shares Marilyn Raichle’s personal Alzheimer’s caregiving journey and the lessons she learned supporting her parents.

Available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover formats. Purchase Here

To learn more about Marilyn Raichle and her work, visit:
https://dontwalkaway.net/about/

About the Guest and Author:

Marilyn Raichle began her career in the performing arts and founded the Seattle International Children’s Festival, introducing young audiences to global cultures. In 2010, inspired by her mother Jean’s artistic awakening, she founded The Art of Alzheimer’s, celebrating creativity in those living with dementia. She currently serves as Executive Director of Maude’s Awards for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care.

This conversation gently reminds us that caregiving, while challenging, can also reveal unexpected beauty, connection, and purpose.

💬 Every Alzheimer’s caregiving journey is different, but the need for compassion, education, and support remains the same.

Closing Reflection:
This conversation invites you to look at your life in a new way. What if your challenges were not just difficult moments, but opportunities for deeper understanding and growth? Akashic Records insights offer a different lens—one that may help you move forward with greater awareness, purpose, and compassion.

🎧 Listen Here

Why It Matters 🌍
Understanding yourself on a deeper level can change how you respond to life’s challenges. Conversations like this encourage awareness, healing, and a return to the humanity we all share.

What Do You Think? 💭
Would you explore the Akashic Records to better understand your life? What part of this conversation resonated most with you?