When the government shuts down, caregivers don’t get to.In this episode, author and advocate Deborah Greenhut explores how the ongoing federal shutdown affects dementia care — from delayed Medicaid reimbursements to halted Alzheimer’s research. She outlines a “calendar of disruptions” showing what happens in weeks 1–6 of the shutdown, with real stories from caregivers managing telehealth gaps, unpaid aides, and funding freezes.Listeners will learn how to prepare, where to find trustworthy updates, and how to protect home-based care from federal uncertainty.Because while Washington debates budgets, caregivers keep the world turning — one act of compassion at a time.Key TakeawaysHow shutdown timelines affect dementia services week by weekWhich programs continue vs. pause (Medicaid, SNAP, telehealth)Real-world caregiver examples and how to adaptAction steps: calendar tracking, backup planning, advocacyTrusted resources for timely updates and assistanceResources MentionedNAMI Shutdown ResourcesNational Family Caregiver Support Program (ACL)HRSA – Maternal & Child Health / TelehealthMedicare Rights CenterElderCare LocatorKFF Health News – Project 2025 Overviewhttps://substack.com/home/post/p-177525880About Me:I have cared for many family members across the life span, experiencing the joys and challenges of child-rearing, the poignance of caring for parents, friends, and elder partners. I realized that I could not handle the stress of family caregiving 24/7/365. It was time for a new approach to caring. My health and happiness were slipping away. This is how Think to Thrive for Caregivers evolved. Let your mind meet your heart so you don’t lose track of your life.Connect with Me:https://www.deborahgreenhut.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgreenhut01/Find my books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Deborah-S.-Greenhut/author/B001KI5BAU?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=985b6dac-012d-4eb4-aabb-e15635ed3d7fThanks for listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!Subscribe to the podcastIf you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe...