Being in public spaces, with inquisitive young children, or even out and about in our neighborhood with our loved one can cause us to see them through different eyes. In this episode, Jenna and Allison talk about times this has happened in their caregiving lives and the good and the hard that has come from it.
The decision of how much to share about a loved one’s illness publicly or even with family is a personal one that can have both positive and negative outcomes. The situation can be even more complex when the caregiver and the person being cared for have differing opinions on the matter. In this episode, Allison and Jenna dig into these nuances and share how they have handled this in their own caregiving lives.
Caregiving tasks, while important, can begin to feel repetitive and mundane, making each day feel like the one before. In this episode, Jenna and Allison discuss the hamster wheel of caregiving, how it can lead to feelings of frustration or numbness, and how to find moments of joy amidst the routine.
In this episode, the hosts discuss the formal and informal ways respite care can look for caregivers, the challenges caregivers may face in accessing those services, and the impact on caregiver health and wellbeing if they don’t take breaks.
In this episode, Justin and Allison speak with remote caregivers Natasha Ray-Heideker and Klaus Unger, who share their individual stories of providing care for family members living across the ocean. Natasha lives in Germany while caregiving for her father in Colorado and Klaus lives in Minnesota and cares for his mother who lives in Germany. They describe what this version of caregiving looks and feels like and the benefits and challenges of caregiving in this way.
Research shows that there is a direct correlation between caregiver distress, depression, and physical strain and patient rates of hospitalization and even mortality. In this episode, Allison and Justin talk about the vicious cycle of the caregiving role causing these symptoms but then how the symptoms themselves can make caregiving more challenging. They also dig into what, if anything, can be done to prevent caregiver burnout.
In this beautiful conversation with Jill Thompson of Inheritance of Hope, Justin and Allison learn about what it means to build and leave behind a legacy. Jill shares both the concept and power behind legacy and concrete strategies for how to leave things for our loved ones once we’re gone, such as legacy videos or songs. This meaningful discussion is one for all of us to take in and consider, regardless of our stage in life.
In this episode, Allison and Justin share ways that they have used humor as a tool for themselves and with their loved ones during hard times. They also share stories and ideas that were submitted by listeners.
When we’re caring for someone, our moods and feelings can become intertwined. In this episode Justin and Allison discuss what it’s like when witnessing the suffering of their partners impacts their mood, when their own moods rub off on their loved ones, and how emotions can feel contagious.
When the person you’re caring for has a rare disease, there can be extra layers of hardship and complexity starting with the challenge of finding a diagnosis. In this episode, Allison shares with Justin what it has been like to care for her husband whose disease is rare and the two discuss what this type of caregiving can look like.