Instead of a long goodbye, imagine a nine-year journey filled with newfound creativity, laughter, and deep connection.
In this episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall talks with Marilyn Raichle, author of “Don’t Walk Away: A Care Partner’s Journey.” Marilyn shares how her mother’s late-life discovery of painting transformed their relationship from one of “caregiver and patient” to true “care partners”.
KEY DISCUSSION POINTS
(1) Art as an Anchor: Marilyn discovered that while Alzheimer’s is scary, art is not; it allows the person living with dementia to be present and their true self to emerge.
(2) The Power of Listening: Marilyn shifted from “being raised to win” to learning the art of listening, discovering that her mother always had something left to teach.
(3) Living vs. Suffering: A central theme of the conversation is the importance of saying a person is “living with” dementia rather than “suffering from” it, acknowledging their ongoing value and humanity.
(4) Innovation in Care: As Executive Director of the Maudes Awards, Marilyn highlights how they provide $100,000 in annual gifts to individuals and organizations finding innovative ways to bring joy to those with memory loss.
Insights for Care Partners:
(1) The Five-Minute Rule: If you are struggling to connect, find one simple thing you both enjoy—a walk, a song, or a sunset—and do it for just five minutes.
(2) Emotional Memory: Even if a loved one cannot remember the specifics of a visit, they retain the positive emotion and “joy” that the interaction provided.
Resources
Website: https://dontwalkaway.net
The Maude’s Awards: https://maudesawards.org