Caring for Someone With Dementia: What Caregivers Are Really Carrying — with Dr. Adriana Shnall

Caring for someone living with dementia changes everything. In this episode of The Hart of It All, host Teri Hart sits down with Dr. Adriana Shnall, program director at the Baycrest Koschitzky Centre for Innovations in Caregiving, to explore what caregivers are really carrying.

Dr. Shnall shares why dementia caregiving is uniquely complex, touching on ambiguous loss, personality changes, repetition, and the grief that unfolds over time. Together, they discuss why language matters, how behaviour always has meaning, and the importance of offering caregivers empathy, validation, and grace.

This conversation blends expert insight with deep compassion, offering practical guidance alongside reassurance for caregivers navigating an incredibly challenging journey.

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Resources:

Baycrest Family Caregiving Innovations:

https://www.baycrest.org/family-caregiving-innovations/

Canadian Caregiver Assessment & Resources Tool (C-CART):

https://www.baycrest.org/ccart/

Follow Dr. Adriana Shnall:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-adriana-shnall-phd-msw-rsw-88b8a4150/

Follow Baycrest:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baycrest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baycrestcentre

Website: https://www.baycrest.org/

To watch this episode, subscribe to The Hart Of It All's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHartofitAllPod

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Follow Teri Hart:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terihart

Co-Executive Produced by: Carrie Hayden & Jess Carroll of 6of1 Digital

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/6of1digital

I’m here to share stories and conversations, not medical or professional advice. I’m not a doctor, therapist, or licensed professional, and this podcast is NOT a substitute for guidance from qualified experts. Please seek out professional support when you need it. Take care and I’ll see you in the next episode.

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🟡 About The Hart of it All

A podcast about navigating the realities of caregiving.

No one should have to do it alone. That’s the heart behind The Hart of It All, hosted by Canadian broadcaster Teri Hart. Inspired by her own experience caring for her dad and helping her mom navigate a new reality, Teri shines a light on the stories, resources, and conversations caregivers need most.

From doctors and nutritionists to fellow caregivers living it every day, each episode offers guidance and connection. Honest, supportive, and grounded in lived experience, The Hart of It All is here to remind us that caring for each other is something we’re all in together.

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