Rodolfo Nieto cares for his wife, Clare, who has struggled with both Dissociative Identity Disorder and Pancreatitis. In this episode, he shares what it's like to care for both her mental and physical health needs, what that's meant for their relationship, and the impact it's had on his life.
As caregivers, it can feel as if our loved one’s health is in the driver’s seat and that there are few parts of our lives over which we have control. In this episode, Allison and Justin share ways in which they have been maintaining or taking back their agency in various aspects of their lives and how supporters can help.
Caregivers regularly put the needs of their loved ones far above their own, even when that comes at a cost to their own wellbeing. In this episode, Allison shares how, after 14 years of accompanying her husband to a procedure he has regularly, she has made the decision to not attend for the sake of her own mental health. Listen in as she and Justin discuss the steps leading up to this decision, the complexities that surround it, and how supporters can help.
Aging, illness, and injuries can cause people to lose some of their freedom and autonomy. As caregivers, how do we help our loved ones maintain that autonomy and what does that look like when their decisions or actions impact us or may not be taking the whole picture into consideration? In this episode, Justin and Allison talk about ways to approach these complex situations.
Justin’s wife received unexpected test results that led down the path of scans, an appointment with an oncologist and a plan for surgery. In this episode, Justin shares what they’ve been through and what lies ahead.
Some caregivers go through phases in which their loved one's health is a bit more stable. These seasons can leave caregivers wondering if they can still claim that title and can allow some space for reflection. In this episode, Justin talks about what it's been like to be in a quieter season these past few months.
For people living with an illness or injury, appointments with medical professionals can feel like important moments to learn more about the prognosis, get access to new treatments, and share concerns about new symptoms. But what happens when those appointments don’t go well? How does that impact caregivers and what, if anything, is their role in following up? In this episode, Allison and Justin talk about their experiences with unpleasant appointments for their spouses, how that felt, and what they did about it.
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.
There is often confusion around what palliative care is, who it is meant for, and at what stage of life. In this episode, Allison and Justin interview Dr. Drew Rosielle, who provides the history, describes the model, and outlines the goals and benefits of palliative care.
Caregivers of all kinds can slip into the role of nurse and lose sight of the real relationship they have with their loved one, whether that’s a partner, child, parent, or friend. In this episode, Allison and Justin talk about creative ways to find moments of connection even when you’re homebound or low on energy.