Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia is a daunting task. There’s no way to prepare for it.
Julie Fleming knows. When Julie’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, she became her father’s sole caregiver. With no preparation, guidance or respite, Julie learned by doing. And she figured it out. Julie is one of the lucky ones. Many caregivers don’t figure it out—and don’t survive their loved one’s disease. It’s a grueling task. The toll is financial, physical and psychological. Julie compares this effort to being taken on an Everest expedition with no tools or preparation. While struggling with the reality of dementia care, the caregiver often hears: “You also need to take care of yourself.” Which is followed by no actual, practical advice, like how to get even 10 minutes to wash your hair, much less take a night off. That’s why Julie founded The Purple Sherpa. We are a non-profit, charitable organization. The Purple Sherpa is dedicated to supporting the caregiver of a loved one going through Alzheimer's or other illness with attendant symptoms of dementia. Sherpas climb as a team and share their knowledge. The Sherpas of Everest are legendary. They climb the mountain. They break a trail. They leave oxygen bottles for those who follow. And The Purple Sherpa is a community of veteran caregivers who have made the climb through dementia care. They’ve broken a trail. Now, they’re sharing their knowledge. And they’re leaving oxygen bottles in the form of useful tips and friendly advice. This is not another resource on how to care for the loved one with Alzheimer’s. There are already plenty of those, and they're important. But as a caregiver, you’ll find there is precious little information for how to care for yourself. While helping a loved one live well, how do you also live well? The Purple Sherpa is here to support you with real-world, been-there, done-that, one-step-at-a-time insight, advice and solace. While you’re on the care partner/caregiver journey, The Purple Sherpa wants to help you live--really live--right now.
Welcome to the tribe.
