Ep 46 : Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiving: The New Normal : Rebecca Collins RN

Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts.

Rebecca Collin’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, then after he passed, her mother was too. Rebecca served as the primary caregiver for both – a role that left her financially, emotionally, and physically exhausted. 

Rebecca, a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist, talks with Bobbi and Mike about the challenges of being a caregiver and offers some good tips on how to work with the nursing staff – not against.

 “The biggest thing is to make sure you have a power of attorney. If you are not married, make sure you bug and call everybody. Don't worry about being a pain in the butt, don't worry about if you bother them, or if he or she is going to have less care.”

“Nurses have iPhones on the floors, so if you have an iPhone, or some kind of other video (device), you can call that nurse and video chat with your loved one.” Rebecca Collins said.

Rebecca has spent the last 12 years as a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist with the last two years as a Registered Nurse in the Critical care environment of the Cath Lab performing procedures such as emergency cardiac and peripheral Stents, Pacemakers, Aortic Aneurysms and Carotid Artery repairs. Prior to her RN work, she spent 10 years working as the manager of residential group homes for dual diagnosed residents including children on the autism spectrum and Developmentally delayed elderly with Alzheimer's / Dementia.

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