January 18, 2021

When her mother was diagnosed with dementia in November 2014, San Diegan told Susan Bos she felt alone.

“I was 29 years old at the time and didn’t know anyone whose parents had Alzheimer’s or dementia,” said Bos, who has been her mother’s carer for more than six years. “I felt very isolated and alone. I became someone completely different – literally reduced myself to a chemical level.”

Today Bos said she hopes to help other caregivers on their journey, especially during COVID-19.
Bos, who serves as the leader of a support group for the San Diego / Imperial Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, is now the podcast host of the nonprofit “Nursing Experience: Personal Stories of Helping Nurses Deal With Alzheimer’s Disease.” The bi-monthly podcast is intended to provide caregivers with support in caring for their loved ones.

The Alzheimer’s Association currently serves an estimated 180,000 people in San Diego and Imperial counties who serve as unpaid carers for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.

Bos said the restarted podcast mimicked a support group with her and three others talking about a specific problem in each episode. Every guest takes care of a loved one, she said.

“I hope (listeners) feel camaraderie when they hear it – to feel a connection with other people,” said Bos. “Nurses are hiding in the shadows. I hope this is a place where they can seek support and where we can normalize the need for support. They deserve their stories to be told.”

Katie Croskrey, executive director of the local Alzheimer’s association, said it was common for caregivers to neglect their own health when caring for others. The problem has become a bigger problem with COVID-19, she said.

“Caregivers have been put into situations they weren’t ready for,” said Croskey, who also serves as her mother’s caregiver. “What we always worry about is caregivers who are not taking care of themselves. With the added stress of the pandemic, the stress has increased.”

Croskrey and Bos both said the podcast will give the nonprofits a chance to reach more people who may have problems as caregivers.

Each podcast introduces new topics, with topics as diverse as “Getting diagnosed and becoming a caregiver”, “Caring during Covid”, “The effect of music on caregiving and Alzheimer’s disease” and “Family / sibling problems with care” .

Listeners are also invited to suggest topics for future podcasts.

“We touch very emotional, intimate issues,” said Bos. “When you get thrown into the trenches and make difficult decisions, you need support to ease your fears. It’s a kind of love that you never know you need until you are there. Having a support group, is a game changer. I hope it does. ” Podcast serves as a landing place for supervisors. I hope you feel less alone. “

Nursing Experience is available on a number of platforms including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

For more information on the San Diego / Imperial Chapter of the Alzheimer Association, visit alz.org/sandiego.

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