Send us Fan Mail Mark Wilson shares the 5-pillar framework every dementia caregiver needs to lead care. Mark Wilson believes dementia caregivers need more than love and good intentions — they need a system. In this episode of From Guilt to Good, Jeanette Yates talks with Mark Wilson, author of Breakthrough Alzheimer’s Care, about what happened when he brought executive leadership skills into hands-on Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving. Mark spent more than 25 years leading leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and HR functions at Fortune 500 companies, including PepsiCo and Taco Bell. But when his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, he made the decision to leave his corporate career and care for her at home. What followed was not one single solution. Mark built a care system around his mother that included nutrition changes, supplements, art therapy, weekly physical therapy, home safety changes, a dedicated care team, and an extended network of doctors, therapists, specialists, and home care resources. Together, Jeanette and Mark discuss the Bold Care Leadership Framework and the Five Breakthrough Pillars from his book, including self-care, safety, identifying and keeping the finest care team, brain and body health, and what Mark calls “surround sound care” — the idea that every touchpoint in a person’s world should support safety, joy, love, and connection. They also talk about caregiver burnout, why dementia care cannot be done alone, how to motivate and retain caregivers, how to work with doctors, how to advocate for better care, and why becoming a care leader does not mean being perfect — it means building the right support around your loved one. This episode is for dementia caregivers, Alzheimer’s caregivers, adult children caring for aging parents, family caregivers building a care team, and anyone who feels overwhelmed trying to manage care alone. In this episode, we talk about How Mark left his executive career to care for his mother after her Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia diagnosisWhy dementia caregivers need to become care leaders, not just people trying to do everything aloneThe 5 pillars of better dementia care: self-care, safety, care team, brain and body health, and surround sound careHow to build, motivate, and retain a strong care team around your loved onePractical ways to make dementia care safer at home, from fall prevention to eating safetyWhy caregiver burnout, resentment, and asking for help need to be part of the conversation Guest bio Mark Wilson is the author of Breakthrough Alzheimer’s Care and the creator of the Bold Care Leadership Framework. Before becoming a full-time caregiver for his mother, Mark spent more than 25 years in executive leadership, organizational effectiveness, and HR roles at Fortune 500 companies, including PepsiCo and Taco Bell. After his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, Mark left his corporate career to care for her at home. He used his leadership background to build a care system around her that included caregivers, doctors, therapists, home safety, nutrition, physical therapy, and daily joy. Today, Mark helps families think differently about dementia care by teaching caregivers how to become care leaders, build better care teams, and create safer, happier environments for their loved ones. Links: Connect with Mark Wilson: Website: https://boldcareleader.com Book: Breakthrough Alzheimer’s Care available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble Listen to this next: Kait Giordano on Raising a Baby While Caring for Parents With DementiaFeeling overwhelmed by caregiving? In From Guilt to Good Enough, Jeanette Yates offers a powerful guide for struggling caregivers. Having been a caregiver for her mother since childhood, Jeanette knows firsthand the emotional toll caregiving can take. In this memoir-turned-self-help guide, she shares her healing journey, setting boundaries, and reclaiming her life. Grab your copy TODAY! Support the show NOW AVAILABLE! From Guilt To Good Enough: A Caregiver’s Journey of Overcoming Burnout Through Healing Childhood by Jeanette Yates. Having been a caregiver for her mother since childhood, Jeanette knows firsthand the emotional toll caregiving can take. In this memoir-turned-self-help guide, she shares her journey of healing, setting boundaries, and reclaiming her life. Click here to purchase your copy! At The Self-Caregiver LLC we guide women caring for their aging parents overcome burnout and release guilt to create more freedom and fulfillment in their life. We believe you cannot give more of yourself until you heal the wounds, replenish your being and reconnect to the fullness of who you are, embracing the purpose you‘ve been called to live.
