“The most expensive mistake dementia caregivers make isn’t medical—it’s waiting too long to secure legal and financial footing.”
Episode 278 is a straight-talk coaching call with Margie that every Christian caregiver needs to hear.

Lizette begins with her signature prompt to create clarity:
“So let’s say it’s six months from today and things are easier in your caregiving journey. What would that look like for you?”
Margie’s goal: stop working outside the home and still care well for her husband (early dementia).

From there, the plan is practical, biblical, and doable:

1) Protect assets before capacity is lost

If a loved one can no longer legally sign, options shrink overnight. Meet with an elder care/estate planning attorney now to explore trusts, life estate options, and state-specific tools that safeguard the home, annuities, and savings. Stewardship, not panic.

2) Audit and update documents annually

Confirm you have:
Durable Power of Attorney (financial)
Health Care Power of Attorney
Living Will/Advance Directives

Review yearly so successor agents are still appropriate. God is not a God of confusion—keep your paperwork in order.

3) Plan for 24-hour care (even if it never comes)

“Begin with the end in mind.” If illness progresses, one person cannot safely do it alone. Backward-plan staffing, funding, and respite now. Consider a trusted “financial social worker” or advisor who structures income so the well spouse isn’t impoverished.

4) Use a “directed conversation”

When updating paperwork with your spouse, don’t present 100 options. Narrow to two or three wise choices, then invite a decision. That’s Therapeutic Truth-Telling™ in action—clear, kind, dignity-preserving.

The Think Different Dementia Method™ keeps your care relationship-centered and Scripture-anchored—so you steward two lives: theirs and yours.

🎟 Next live Ask the Dementia Coach Q and A: Saturday, August 23 at 12 p.m. ET. Bring your specifics and leave with a plan: thinkdifferentdementia.com/ask

💬 What Do I Say When Dementia Makes Words Hard?
Speak Calm, Not Just Words
Get “What Do I Say? How to Connect with Your Loved One with Dementia” — a free guide for Christian caregivers navigating confusion, repetition, and emotional moments.
✅ 10 ready-to-use scripts
✅ Rooted in Scripture
✅ Built on the Therapeutic Truth-Telling™ model
Download the guide now: https://www.dementiacaregivingmadeeasy.com/script

🤝 You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Join other Christian caregivers who are walking this road too — and learning how to care with compassion, clarity, and faith.
👥 Join the free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementiacaregiversupportforchristians

🗣️ Ask Your Question Live — and Be Heard
Bring your real-life caregiving questions to Ask the Dementia Coach — our free monthly Q&A session. You’ll get support, clarity, and maybe even be featured on the podcast.
Brought to you every month!
🎤 Register here: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/ask

🎓 Want to Reduce Overwhelm Right Now?
Join our free workshop:
How to Immediately Reduce Dementia Caregiver Overwhelm and Stress — in 3 Simple Steps
✅ Practical tools
✅ Faith-informed strategies
✅ Same-day results
Reserve your seat: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

🧭 Still Feeling Stuck?
If you’re wondering what’s underneath your stress, the Caregiver Stress Assessment can help clarify what’s really weighing you down — so you can take your next step with peace.
Take the free assessment: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/dca

❤️ Enjoy This Podcast?
Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify — it helps other Christian caregivers find encouragement and real help.
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