280 – Becoming a Caregiver at 26: Alzheimer’s, Advocacy, and Fighting Broken Systems with Jessica Guthrie

In this episode of The Boonie Breakdown, Boonie sits down for a powerful and necessary conversation with Jessica Guthrie, a dementia caregiving advocate and thought leader who shares her deeply personal journey as the primary caregiver for her mother, diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

Jessica opens up about becoming a full-time caregiver at just 26 years old—uprooting her life, navigating grief in real time, and learning the realities of caregiving without a roadmap. Together, Boonie and Jessica unpack the emotional, financial, and systemic challenges caregivers face, particularly millennials and young Gen Xers who are often thrust into these roles unexpectedly.

Through shared experiences—including Boonie’s own caregiving journey with her grandparents—this episode sheds light on the isolation, resilience, and advocacy required to care for loved ones, while offering practical guidance for anyone navigating or preparing for caregiving.

We get into:

🧠 Becoming a caregiver at a young age and what no one prepares you for 💔 The emotional and financial realities of caregiving—and the necessity of self-care 🏥 Navigating healthcare systems, bureaucracy, and learning to advocate fiercely 📋 The importance of routines, documentation, and sustainable caregiving practices 📑 Legacy planning, power of attorney, and having critical family conversations before crisis hits

This episode is both a resource and a reminder: caregiving is hard, often invisible work—but it matters deeply.

Follow & Learn More from Jessica Guthrie: 🌐 Website: www.jessicacguthrie.com 📲 Instagram: @Jessica_C_Guthrie

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Chapters 0:09 Welcome to The Boonie Breakdown 4:57 Caregiving Realities with Jessica Guthrie 13:38 Finding Balance as a Caregiver 23:35 The Importance of Advocacy 29:01 Preparing for the Inevitable 40:03 Understanding Hospice Care 48:17 Planning for the Future