Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Theresa Wilbanks' caregiving journey began unexpectedly when she lived abroad in Europe with her husband. As her father aged into his 90s, she took on more of an advocacy and support role from a distance. However, a series of health scares brought Theresa back home to the United States to serve as her father's primary caregiver. She dove headfirst into the intense role, unprepared for th...

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Ready for even MORE honest caregiver conversations?  Become a supporter of "Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver" and unlock bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes peeks, and resources you won't find anywhere else! Plus, your support makes this podcast possible!  Sign up at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2101429/subscribe **********************************************************************...

Ready for even MORE honest caregiver conversations?  Become a supporter of "Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver" and unlock bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes peeks, and resources you won't find anywhere else! Plus, your support makes this podcast possible!  Sign up at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2101429/subscribe **********************************************************************...

Ready for even MORE honest caregiver conversations?  Become a supporter of "Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver" and unlock bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes peeks, and resources you won't find anywhere else! Plus, your support makes this podcast possible!  Sign up at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2101429/subscribe **********************************************************************...

In this episode, we talk with Helen, Elisabeth, and Jonathan Nash about the gradual progression of care needs that often arise with an aging parent. Imagine standing on the shore of a vast ocean, watching the tide slowly come in - that's how the Nash siblings experienced their mother's increasing health issues and mobility problems. Over time, these changes brought them to the crucial co...

Ready for even MORE honest caregiver conversations?  Become a supporter of "Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver" and unlock bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes peeks, and resources you won't find anywhere else! Plus, your support makes this podcast possible!  Sign up at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2101429/subscribe **********************************************************************...

Ready for even MORE honest caregiver conversations?  Become a supporter of "Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver" and unlock bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes peeks, and resources you won't find anywhere else! Plus, your support makes this podcast possible!  Sign up at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2101429/subscribe **********************************************************************...

Ready for even MORE honest caregiver conversations?  Become a supporter of "Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver" and unlock bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes peeks, and resources you won't find anywhere else! Plus, your support makes this podcast possible!  Sign up at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2101429/subscribe **********************************************************************...

Lan Phan, a former caregiver for her mother with advanced-stage dementia, shares her decade-long journey. As Vietnamese refugees, Lan's mother worked tirelessly as a hairdresser to support their family. In her late 70s, her health declined, prompting Lan to leave her job in New York and move to California to care for her mother. Lan faced challenges in finding full-time care and making decisi...

Will Durocher, a devoted husband and caregiver, shares his heartfelt story of caring for his wife, Teresa. After several years of marriage, Teresa was diagnosed with dementia. Their love story began at church, where they formed a deep bond rooted in their shared faith. As Teresa's condition progressed, Will took on the primary caregiver role, navigating complex systems such as Medicaid to ens...

Ready for even MORE honest caregiver conversations?  Become a supporter of "Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver" and unlock bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes peeks, and resources you won't find anywhere else! Plus, your support makes this podcast possible!  Sign up at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2101429/subscribe **********************************************************************...

Ready for even MORE honest caregiver conversations?  Become a supporter of "Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver" and unlock bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes peeks, and resources you won't find anywhere else! Plus, your support makes this podcast possible!  Sign up at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2101429/subscribe **********************************************************************...

Ready for even MORE honest caregiver conversations?  Become a supporter of "Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver" and unlock bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes peeks, and resources you won't find anywhere else! Plus, your support makes this podcast possible!  Sign up at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2101429/subscribe **********************************************************************...

Ready for even MORE honest caregiver conversations?  Become a supporter of "Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver" and unlock bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes peeks, and resources you won't find anywhere else! Plus, your support makes this podcast possible!  Sign up at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2101429/subscribe **********************************************************************...

Ready for even MORE honest caregiver conversations?  Become a supporter of "Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver" and unlock bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes peeks, and resources you won't find anywhere else! Plus, your support makes this podcast possible!  Sign up at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2101429/subscribe **********************************************************************...

This week, we're giving you all an update on our caregiving journeys—kind of like a quarterly catch-up! We chat about the hurdles of advocating for our mom's medical needs and getting her to appointments. By sharing our stories, we hope to help you learn about Medicaid benefits and the importance of speaking up. We also dive into the emotional side of caregiving, from tough moments to fi...

Lisa Hale shares her journey navigating a lifetime of caregiving responsibilities. From her early experiences as the oldest sibling in a single-parent household to later years caring for her mother following a stroke, Lisa recounts managing various care roles simultaneously while juggling her own life. Lisa shares about stepping into the roles of a stepmother to a son with special needs and a wife...

Jennifer Jenkins embodies the unwavering spirit of a lifelong caregiver. Her journey began at just 15, caring for her grandmother after cancer surgery. Later, tragedy struck when her brother, James, was wounded in Iraq.  Alongside raising her infant child, Jennifer became his full-time caregiver and a tireless advocate for wounded veterans.  Her responsibilities extended to her mother following a...

Jessica Patay shares her journey as a caregiver for her son, Ryan, who was diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome at five weeks. Prader-Willi Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that requires 24/7 supervision and care due to its associated symptoms, including low muscle tone, delayed milestones, and an insatiable food drive. Jessica talks about the difficulties she faced with her newborn, Ryan, who...

Jennifer O'Brien, author of "The Hospice Doctor's Widow," joins the podcast to share her deeply personal story of caregiving for her terminally ill husband, Bob. A hospice physician himself, Bob's diagnosis of advanced renal cell carcinoma forced them to confront their own mortality and navigate the healthcare system together. Jennifer, equipped with her own experiences wi...

In this frank and insightful conversation, we discuss the emotional challenges and hard realities of caregiving with Karyl Cunningham. Karyl was married for 18 years before her husband was diagnosed with stage three B lung cancer, a journey she describes as a 'crazy ride.' Having worked in the non-profit sector for over 25 years, Karyl shifted from her role as an Executive Director to a...

In this episode, Jean Hartnett shares her experience caring for her elderly parents. Jean hails from a large Irish Catholic family and has an extensive healthcare background spanning over three decades. At 83, Jean's mother suffered a stroke, which led to Jean taking a job hiatus to provide care for her parents. She talks about the complexities of managing care with her siblings and balancing...

This week's episode showcases the incredible journey of Betsy Wurzel, a lifelong caregiver who began caring for others at the tender age of 4. Betsy's unwavering dedication is evident as she recounts her experiences caring for her mother-in-law, father, and her husband Matthew, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's at the age of 56. Throughout her caregiving journey, Betsy...

Debbie Compton, a certified caregiving consultant, Alzheimer's Association educator, speaker, and author of 9 books, shares her invaluable experience in caring for her parents and in-laws, who faced various conditions, including dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and vascular dementia. Debbie recounts her journey, starting with her mom as the first to exhibit signs, eventually diag...