67: A Daughter’s Cross-Country Dementia Caregiving Story with Nicole Smith

About this episode

Nicole Smith shares her experience of caring for multiple parents with dementia across states during the pandemic and discusses the importance of building a care team and advocacy.

Dr. Lakelyn is joined by Nicole Smith—author, advocate, and dementia daughter—for a heartfelt conversation about caring for multiple parents living with dementia across different states during the pandemic. Nicole shares what it was like to navigate healthcare, legal, and financial systems while learning the language of caregiving in real time. Together, they discuss the importance of building a care team, the emotional realities of asking for help, and how Nicole transformed her experience into advocacy through her book Diagnosis Dementia and leading a Daughterhood Circle. This episode offers validation, perspective, and practical guidance for caregivers—especially those caring from a distance. Episode highlights include: -Caring for multiple loved ones with dementia across state lines -Navigating the healthcare, legal, and financial complexities of caregiving -Why building a care team matters—and why it’s so hard to ask for help -Turning lived experience into advocacy through Diagnosis Dementia and Daughterhood Circles -Practical insight and encouragement for long-distance caregivers Helpful links from the episode: Nicole’s website: www.njsmithbooks.com Book: Diagnosis Dementia…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Lakelyn

Guest: Nicole Smith

Topics covered

• dementia caregiving
• long-distance caregiving
• healthcare navigation
• advocacy
• care team building

Keywords

• dementia
• caregiving
• healthcare
• advocacy
• long-distance care
• care team
• emotional support

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Home Instead, Inc., Daughterhood Circles, Area Agencies on Aging, Aging Life Care Association (ALCA), Steve Gurney

Books & works: Diagnosis Dementia

More episodes of Caregiver Chats

• 73: What It Means to Live Well with Dementia with Sam and Susan Simon · June 1, 2026 · 54 min
• 72: The Hidden Impact of Trauma in Caregiving with Jean Hartnett · May 15, 2026 · 49 min
• 71: Self-Care Is Not Enough: Real Strategies and Resources with Ashley Stevens · April 30, 2026 · 44 min
• 70: Life After a Stroke: Supporting the Caregiver with Lana Wilhelm · April 15, 2026 · 37 min
• 69: The Beauty of Personal Care As We Age with OT Lindsay DeLong · March 31, 2026 · 55 min
• 68: Spirituality in Caregiving with Dr. Aaron Blight · March 15, 2026 · 40 min