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From Soldier to Caregiver : A Veteran's Son Battles Dementia with Love and Mindfulness
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Zander Keig grew up in an unconventional household, as his father explored alternative spiritual practices like meditation and yoga alongside his career in engineering. Zander was exposed to these ideas from a young age. When COVID lockdowns began, Zander and his wife had to care for his father full-time while working remotely, which caused stress and isolation. Zander's father's health rapidly declined after moving to assisted living.
When his father was scammed out of $18,000, Zander realized something was wrong as his father had always been very conscientious but no longer recognized scams. Zander would move his father to Florida, taking on the role of primary caregiver for his elderly father, who was living with dementia.
Despite the challenges of caring for his declining father, Zander tapped into various support systems, attending both grief and all-male caregiver support groups. During visits, Zander focused on sensory experiences over memories of visiting his father. Today, Zander is committed to helping other LGBTQ caregivers by sharing his story and resources through consultative services.
About Zander:
Zander Keig is the founder of Keig Consulting, LLC and an award-winning speaker, educator, and author, earning many distinguishing accolades for his work, including the 2020 WPATH Harry Benjamin Distinguished Educator, 2020 NASW National Social Worker of the Year, and 2018 NASW CA Social Worker of the Year. Zander has earned a BA in Speech/Interpersonal Communication (1999), an MS in Conflict Analysis and Resolution/College Student Personnel Administration (2003), an MTS in Theological Systems (2004), and an MSW in Clinical Social Work (2012). He has subject-matter expertise in workplace conflict mitigation, implementing social care services, illuminating transgender experiences, and delivering dynamic personal wellness and well-being* webinars. Zander is a fifty-something-year-old first-generation American of Mexican heritage (Latino), a post-transition transsexual man, a Coast Guard Veteran, a childhood TBI survivor, a neurodivergent first-generation college graduate, and the primary caregiver of his elderly Veteran father living with Dementia. To build support and awareness for LGBTQ family caregivers, Zander co-founded the LGBTQ Caregiver Center in June 2021, served on the National Alliance of Caregiving M
Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver
Sisterhood of Care, LLC
148 episodes
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