Stories of caregiving are becoming more prevalent in both the news and in the entertainment industry. In this episode, Justin and Allison weigh in about how accurately they feel it’s being portrayed and the impact of this type of representation for both caregivers and their supporters.
When one member of a family has an accident or receives a diagnosis, every person feels the impact. In this episode, Allison and Justin interview Dr. Vaida Kazlauskaite, a medical family therapist, about how we can recognize and care for the needs of every family member.
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be especially challenging for caregivers who are already stretched thin and short on time, energy, and finances. In this episode, Allison and Justin discuss the factors that can make this time of year feel particularly hard, what we can do to make it through, and how supporters can help.
When we become caregivers, any illusion we had of being in control in our lives can be lost. We are often unable to control disease progression, our loved one’s pain, and broken systems, just to name a few. This lack of control can make some people cling more tightly to what they have left and can make others let go altogether. In this episode, Justin and Allison talk about how they have experienced this lack of control and how supporters can help.
Treatment side effects, exhaustion, and role changes are just a few of the many reasons that a couple may struggle with or shy away from physical intimacy when dealing with a recovery from a serious illness. In this episode, Allison speaks with marriage and family therapist from Memorial Sloan Kettering, Dr. Talia Zaider, about how common this is and what couples can do when it does.
Allison and Justin talk about how caregivers need community care in order to practice self care, how they each practice acts of micro-care throughout the day, and what supporters can do and say instead of, “Are you taking care of yourself?”