Southington Couple's New Book for Preventing Caregiver Burnout

Southington, CT - May 7, 2025.

For the first time in history, the number of people living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias in the U.S. has surpassed 7 million.1 Since caring for those with dementia is extremely stressful, Southington residents Thomas Finn, PhD, and Donna M. Finn, MS, PT, have published a new book that teaches caregivers how to handle the stress of caring for their loved ones while finding deeper meaning in their caregiving relationships. A Caregiver's Well-Being: How to master stress and find balance while caring for Loved Ones with Dementia blends proven psychological coping principles, practical dementia caregiving skills, and the authors' own personal experiences of caring for Donna's mother during her journey with Alzheimer's Disease.

"When Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Tom and I realized that there was so much we didn't know about dementia and we felt extremely stressed," explains Donna. "Even though we were mental health and medical professionals, we still needed to find support and guidance. Luckily, the help was out there so we summed up what we wish we had known sooner in A Caregiver's Well-Being."

Drawing from decades of research and knowledge from the fields of biology, clinical psychology and stress management, Dr. and Mrs. Finn's book provides concrete Cognitive-Behavioral mental health coping strategies and dementia-care tools that help caregivers manage the anxiety, grief, guilt, and frustration that is so common among care partners.

"Another very overlooked aspect of caring for someone with dementia is the loneliness that caregivers experience," notes Dr. Finn. "Donna and I want caregivers to know that they are not alone so, in addition to stress coping tools, we filled A Caregiver's Well-Being with information on how they can connect to local healthcare providers and organizations for services and support."

There are many "services and supports" in the Central CT region to assist those living with dementia and their caregivers. The Finns relied heavily on services provided through the Southington office of The Center for Healthy Aging and a monthly caregiver support group sponsored by the CT Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association during their caregiving years. In addition, Donna's mother was able to reside at Mulberry Gardens for a short time before living for five years at LiveWell in Plantsville. "We could never have been able to provide support for Mom without the people from those organizations in our lives," reflected Donna. "We encourage all caregivers to connect with the supports that are so present in our towns and wider communities."

The Finns approach is explained by Christine Padesky, Ph.D., nationally renown co-author of Mind Over Mood and Co-Founder of the Center for Cognitive Therapy in Huntington Beach, CA. She says in her endorsement of their book, "Caring for a loved one with dementia can be an isolating and overwhelming journey - but it doesn't have to be. This compassionate guide reminds caregivers they are not alone and empowers them to care for their loved one while safeguarding their own well-being - a true lifeline in difficult times. Packed with practical suggestions and wisdom, this is a must-read roadmap for caregivers seeking guidance, reassurance, and hope even in the toughest moments."

During their four-decade careers, Tom has worked as a psychologist at the Franciscan Life Center in Meriden and was in private practice in Southington until 2024, while Donna worked as a physical therapist and clinical manager in home health care most recently with Hartford HealthCare at Home. They now provide workshops and retreats in support of dementia caregivers and their book is published by Greenleaf Book Group. It is available in print, eBook and audiobook formats and can be purchased online directly through retail outlets or linked through their website tomanddonnafinn.com. Their website also provides a free directory of local and national caregiving resources.

"If we can manage the stress of caregiving," encourages Donna, "instead of becoming tangled in difficult emotions, we can become more deeply knotted in love with those for whom we care."

1 Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, 2025, https://www.alz.org/getmedia/ef8f48f9-ad36-48ea-87f9-b74034635c1e/alzhei....