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.
Medical appointments are often a huge component of a caregiver’s life, the impact spanning far beyond the time spent with the provider. In this episode, Justin and Allison discuss all that goes into preparing for, living through, and recovering from appointments from a caregiver perspective.
Susan Silk created "The Ring Theory" as a way to guide people who are supporting someone in a crisis. In this episode, Allison and Justin discuss how this model of "Comfort In, Dump Out" applies to caregiving.
As caregivers, we have a front row seat to the suffering of our loved ones. We are often the only people who see them in their hardest moments. In this episode, Justin and Allison talk about what that’s like, the impact it has on them, and how supporters can help.
When our loved one's days are numbered or their good days are few and far between, we can feel like we need to complete bucket lists or that we must make the most of every moment. In this episode, Allison and Justin talk about how that pressure shows up in their lives and what they do about it.
Caregivers, like any of us, can fall into the trap of comparing themselves to others. Whether it’s comparing the severity, length, or type of caregiving they are doing with someone else, comparing their own struggles with that of the person for whom they are caring, or comparing their lives to their non-caregiving peers, these thoughts can creep in and keep caregivers from sharing their stories and getting support. Listen in as Allison and Justin talk about the variety of ways comparison can show up and how supporters can help.