Caring for My American Dad in Peru: An Alzheimer's Caregiving Odyssey

Barbara Drake-Vera’s caregiving journey in Peru, caring for her American father with Alzheimer's, is a unique and eye-opening story that sheds light on cultural differences in elder care. While Barbara lived in Lima, Peru with her Peruvian husband, her widowed father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He lived in a four-bedroom home he previously shared with his late wife in Florida, USA, and it was soon determined he could not live alone at home. As the only child, Barbara felt compelled to come to his assistance. She knew that elder care was manageable and affordable in Lima, where multigenerational families living together was the norm. So, she and her husband made the unconventional decision to move her dad to Peru to be cared for in their home. This was a radical change for him, a proud and independent American man, World War II veteran, and former postal worker in his eighties. Together, they navigated the cultural nuances of caregiving within a Latin community that, in spite of their challenges, led to success. Barbara, the author of Melted Away: A Memoir of Climate Change and Caregiving in Peru,had had a difficult relationship with her father for many years, but this caregiving journey helped heal old wounds. Quotes “Caring for someone with dementia can be a real gift, but you don't think of it at the time because you're just trying to get through each day.” - Barbara Drake-Vera “I decided to be compassionate. It wasn't forgiveness, but I chose not to let the past be my present.” - Barbara Drake-Vera “My father, who was a self-absorbed, narcissistic jerk, was never such a nice person as when he was finally treated for Alzheimer's and cared for in Peru.” - Barbara Drake-Vera In this episode, you will: Explore the impact of cultural differences in elder care and learn how diverse perspectives can enrich the caregiving experience for individuals with Alzheimer's.Discover the benefits of multigenerational living for Alzheimer's caregiving and how it can positively influence the well-being of both the individual with Alzheimer's and the caregivers.Learn effective strategies for transitioning elders with Alzheimer's to new environments and understand the importance of creating a supportive and familiar space for them.  After the podcast Purchase Melted Away: A Memoir of Climate Change and Caregiving in Peru Note: We are an Amazon Associate and may receive a small commission from book sales. Learn more about Barbara Drake-Vera About the Podcast AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please donate here. Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here. Thanks for listening. We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network Find us on The World Podcast Network and babyboomer.org Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know We’ve got merch! Shop our Store