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.
As caregivers, we know every small act of kindness makes a big difference. Whether it’s offering a listening ear, preparing a meal with love, or simply showing up with patience and compassion, these little moments add up to create lasting comfort for those we care for.
This week, let’s remind ourselves: caregiving isn’t just about tasks—it’s about heart.
What’s one small thing you did recently that made your client, patient, or loved one smile? Share it with us below to inspire others in our PAC community! 🌿
Where to Visit: Explore caregiver resources, training, and support at www.caregiverlist.com.
Here at Caregiver Training University, We Enable Every Person’s Heart to Beat as a Caregiver
Providing quality care for seniors means more than just compassion — it requires the right skills and ongoing education. That’s why caregiver training is so valuable. When caregivers are trained properly, they gain the confidence to handle daily care tasks, communicate effectively with clients, and respond safely in emergencies. For agencies, this not only improves the quality of care but also helps with caregiver retention and compliance with state requirements.
At Caregiver Training University, we make it easy with state-approved, online caregiver courses that can be completed anytime, anywhere. Our platform allows agencies to track caregiver progress, issue customized certificates, and ensure staff stay compliant year after year. Families notice the difference when caregivers are trained and prepared — and agencies benefit from stronger teams and better client satisfaction.
Great caregivers understand that compassion begins with self-compassion. Caring for seniors can be physically and emotionally demanding, and without proper self-care, burnout can happen quickly. Simple habits like getting enough sleep, eating balanced meals, and setting aside time for hobbies or relaxation are not selfish, they’re essential.
When caregivers feel strong, rested, and emotionally balanced, they’re better able to provide patient, attentive, and safe care. At Caregiverlist, we’re here to support you with training, tools, and resources that help you grow in your career while protecting your well-being. Because a healthy caregiver is a better caregiver for their clients, families, and themselves.
Even experienced caregivers benefit from regular training. Why? Because care techniques evolve, regulations update, and each client has unique needs. Ongoing education keeps caregivers confident, compliant, and compassionate. At Caregiverlist, we make continuous learning easy with online courses accessible anytime, anywhere. ➡️ Start your training today
In 2025, staying compliant isn’t enough—home care agencies need well-trained caregivers to stay competitive and build trust with families. Ongoing caregiver training ensures staff stay up to date with best practices, safety standards, and dementia care techniques. It also boosts retention, as caregivers feel more confident and valued in their roles.
Caregiver Training University makes it easy to meet state requirements and empower your team. Accessible online anytime, on any device.
Looking for state-approved caregiver training that’s easy, affordable, and available 24/7?
Whether you’re an individual caregiver starting your career or a home care agency needing to meet state compliance requirements, Caregiver Training University offers:
✅ Online caregiver certification courses ✅ Meets state caregiver training mandates ✅ Instant access + printable certificates ✅ Trusted by top senior care agencies nationwide
Stay compliant. Train your team. Recognize your best caregivers. Let us help you save time and stay ahead.
Music has a special way of touching our hearts and minds. It can bring back memories, calm our emotions, and offer comfort during difficult times. Whether through a recorded song, a live bedside performance, or a memory-triggering playlist, music speaks when words fail. It bridges the gap between the past and present, between illness and well-being, between isolation and connection.
Discover how music helps individuals with Alzheimer’s reconnect with their past, how stroke survivors find their voices through song, and how live performances bring peace to those in hospitals and hospice care. From a former ballerina dancing to Swan Lake to the magic of Tony Bennett’s final performances, see the incredible ways music heals and transforms lives.
Music and Memory: The Bridge to the Past
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, many aspects of memory fade, but musical memories remain remarkably intact. Studies have shown that familiar songs especially those from a person’s teenage years can spark brain memory, muscle memory, and even conversation. This phenomenon was beautifully illustrated in the documentaryAlive Inside, where individuals in advanced stages of dementia came alive as they listened to their favorite music. The transformation was immediate: eyes brightened, bodies swayed, and emotions surfaced. A simple melody had the power to reconnect them with themselves and their loved ones.
A former ballerina with Alzheimer’s who once danced beautifully on stage, remembered her past when she heardSwan Lake. As the music played, her hands moved gracefully, showing how music can bring back memories and awaken the body’s natural rhythm.
Music as Therapy: A Tool for Communication
For those with aphasia, a condition that affects speech and language abilities, music provides an alternative path to communication. Singing can activate different neural pathways than speech, allowing some individuals with aphasia to sing words they cannot otherwise say. A stroke survivor, for instance, may struggle to form sentences but can sing entire lyrics fluently. This is why music therapy is often incorporated into rehabilitation programs, helping individuals regain lost speech and confidence.
Live Music at the Bedside: Comfort for the Sick and Dying
Beyond memory care, live music has emerged as a powerful form of comfort for those in hospitals and hospices. A recent article, For the Sick and Dying, Live Music to Ease the Pain, highlights how musicians bring solace to patients at the most vulnerable stages of life. A violinist playing for her father, a singer taking bedside requests, these moments provide not just distraction, but deep emotional and even physical relief. Musichas been shown to lower stress, regulate heart rates, and even reduce the perception of pain, making it a valuable component of palliative care.
Tony Bennett’s journey with Alzheimer’s offers another moving example of music’s enduring impact. Despite his diagnosis, he continued to perform and experience moments of clarity through song. His duet performances with Lady Gaga demonstrated how music could momentarily lift the fog of dementia, bringing forth joy and a sense of identity.
Caregiverlist®️ provides resources, training, and customized playlists to help caregivers integrate music into their care routines. Explore our Caregiverlist Spotify Profile to find music selections created for different generations and learn how you can use music to enhance caregiving.Z
Did you know? Companies that recognize employees regularly see 31% lower turnover rates and are 12x more likely to see strong business outcomes. In senior care, recognition directly supports caregiver retention, which is critical in an industry with turnover rates over 60%.
You can reward and recognize caregivers by sharing their training certificates on social media! It’s a simple way to celebrate achievements while boosting your brand.
Caregiver Training University, powered by Caregiverlist, makes it easy to certify caregivers anytime, anywhere, so you can train, retain, and recognize your team with confidence.
