Our mantra at Leeza’s Place is to encourage caregivers to “take the oxygen first.” It is essential that caregivers get the emotional, physical and spiritual nourishment they need to then offer those things to someone they love. We are seeing caregivers decline, many times at a rate faster than their loved ones, due to stress-related disorders.
Tell me about Leeza’s Place. What kinds of help do you offer Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers and family members?
Leeza’s Place is an extension of my mother’s courage, her dignity and her grace in dealing with her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. My co-founder and friend Jamie Huysman and I created what we wish my family had during this frightening and frustrating time -- a warm blanket of support, a safe place to take your oxygen and know that you are not alone. Leeza’s Place was designed to be an oasis for caregivers to gather their strength for the difficult journey ahead and for those who are diagnosed to feel empowered.
At Leeza’s Place we create an environment where you can get connected, get coached and get confident about what is next. We currently have eight support centers with many more in development and we’re so proud of these loving and thriving communities.
What advice could you offer caregivers who are tired, frustrated and often scared of the challenges their loved one's descent into the later stages of Alzheimer's will inevitably bring? How do you reach out to your father, Carlos Gibbons, when he’s feeling tired and overwhelmed as a caregiver?
I think it’s helpful to remember that patience is a prerequisite for any encounter with someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Our timetable is not theirs. Everything will take longer. We need to reevaluate our expectations and to know that there will be good days and days that will be much darker than others. Being willing to admit when you’re frazzled and emotionally depleted is better for you and your loved one than trying to be a martyr and risk everyone’s health and well being.
