When Vanessa Carter became the primary caregiver for her father Ted, who was living with Alzheimer’s, her life changed completely. She had already cared for her mother through dementia and now found herself caring for her father while raising her young son — part of what’s known as the “sandwich generation.” Vanessa often felt torn between responsibilities, battling exhaustion and guilt, wondering if she was doing enough. Over time, she learned that caregiving isn’t just about managing memory loss; it’s about offering connection, dignity, and joy even in small moments. With support and training, she found strength in compassion and became an advocate for caregivers everywhere.
“Caregiving taught me that love can still shine through, even when memory fades.” – Vanessa Carter
Learn More: Find online caregiver training and support at Caregiverlist Training University, where you can build confidence and skills to care with compassion.
When Tom was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s at just 60, his wife Mary Swenson decided she wouldn’t let the disease take away their joy.
Instead of waiting for life to slow down, they made a bucket list of dreams they still wanted to share from skydiving to seeing gorillas in Africa. Every adventure reminded them that love and connection are stronger than any diagnosis.
Mary says, “You can sit around and wait, or you can choose adventure.”
Her story is a powerful reminder that caregiving can be both challenging and beautiful, filled with courage, laughter, and purpose.
Learn More: Find Alzheimer’s caregiver training and state-approved courses at Caregiverlist.com to help families like Mary’s provide better care every day.
When Cherina’s mother first started forgetting names and misplacing things, her family thought it was just normal aging. But as time went on, daily routines like cooking and paying bills became difficult, and Cherina realized her mom needed more care.
Stepping into the caregiver role was overwhelming at first. Balancing work, family, and her mother’s needs. But Cherina discovered that caregiving isn’t just about tasks. It’s about patience, reassurance, and finding ways to make her mom feel safe and loved, even as memories faded.
Through the challenges, she learned that every smile, every moment of connection, matters. Alzheimer’s changes lives, but caregiving brings dignity and love back into each day. 💙
“I realized caregiving is about preserving dignity and showing love in every moment, even when memories are gone.” – Cherina
👉 Learn more at www.caregiverlist.com Caregiverlist connects caregivers and senior care agencies with the tools they need: state-approved training, certification, job resources, and community support to help every caregiver succeed.
Certification training for senior caregiving involves following the course curriculum for education on memory loss care created by each state’s department of health or social services. Certification means you can show evidence of learning the required curriculum topics with date of training, outline of topics and exam score showing you retained the information.
Memory loss care certification training involves:
Learning initial topics on types of memory loss, causes, and best care practices
Passing competency exam
Renewal courses annually to keep current with updated care techniques
Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia Training Topics
Illinois new memory loss training course curriculum provides an example of typical memory loss certification training topics.
IL Caregiverlist 6-Hour Alzheimer’s and Dementia New-Hire Training
Effectively Communicating with Individuals with Alzheimer’s
Assisting Individuals with Dementia in Performing ADL’s
Problem-Solving with Individuals with Dementia who Exhibit Challenging Behavior (such as Aggressive and Catastrophic Behaviors)
Fundamentals of Dementia Care
Safe Environments
Managing the Activities of Individuals with Dementia
IL Caregiverlist 3-Hour Alzheimer’s and Dementia Annual Renewal Training
Promoting Resident Dignity, Independence, Individuality, Privacy and Choice
Resident Rights and Principles of Self-Determination
Care of Elderly Persons with Physical, Cognitive, Behavioral and Social Disabilities
Effectively Communicating with Individuals with Dementia
Illinois Senior Caregiver Memory Loss Training
The Illinois Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia training topics are mandated by the state’s new Alzheimer’s training law that all professional senior care companies and caregivers must follow. The Alzheimer’s Association championed the legislation because they were receiving too many calls to their helpline about unqualified caregivers for memory loss care. Caregivers trained in memory loss care techniques can better provide for the necessary care and process the emotional aspect of caring for someone with memory loss.
Train yourself or your staff with the right memory loss training. Illinois began requiring the specific memory loss training in June, 2019.
Call: 312-669-8820 or email: susan@caregiverlist.com
