Who Will Be There When I Forget? Planning Alzheimer's Care Without Traditional Family

Three in the morning. The question circles: Who will be there when I can no longer remember my own name?

In this deeply vulnerable episode, Teri shares her most personal fear as someone who has spent six years as her mother's co-caregiver through Alzheimer's disease and clinical trials—while being single, childless, and facing the same genetic risk herself.

Over 35% of Americans aged 45-64 have no children. That number is growing. Yet our entire care infrastructure assumes traditional family caregivers exist. What happens when they don't?

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The reality of planning for Alzheimer's care without children or a spouse

• Why traditional assumptions about aging fail millions of Americans

• Financial realities: $600K-$1.8M for long-term memory care

• The caregiver shortage crisis and its impact on solo agers

• Innovative care models: caregiver co-ops, intentional living communities, expanded professional options

• Concrete legal and financial planning steps you can take today

• Policy changes needed to support this growing population

• Why there's still hope despite the fear

Content Warning: This episode contains heavy emotional content about aging, progressive illness, caregiving, and end-of-life planning.

Silence doesn't serve us. If you're carrying this fear—you're not alone.

Resources mentioned:

• Free 10-minute clarity call: memorytreatmentadvisors.com/schedule

• Legal planning templates and resources: [link]

• Community care models: [link]

About the Host: Teri Youngdale is the founder of Memory Treatment Advisors and Alzheimer's Survivor. She has served as her mother's co-caregiver through six years of Alzheimer's disease, including participation in groundbreaking clinical trials like Leqembi. Teri helps families create personalized roadmaps for prevention, treatment options, and long-term care planning.

Listen with clarity, courage, and care.

Expert (Author Name):

Teri J. Youngdale