Tag: caregiver guilt

EOLPodcast

Ep. 508 Navigating Life as a Dementia Caregiver with Beverly Thorn PhD

kwyattmd

Learn about a helpful book with resources for dementia caregivers.

My guest Dr. Beverly Thorn is dual trained in the neurosciences and clinical psychology. She is the author of hundreds of articles, two books, and four workbooks on coping with chronic illness. She has also been trained as an end-of-life doula and served as her husband’s caregiver through his dementia illness and at the end of his life. She is the author of the newly published book Before I Lose My Own Mind: Navigating Life as a Dementia Caregiver. Learn more at her website:

drbeverlythorn.com

Get the book here

Watch on YouTube

Listen here:

This episode includes:

  • How her husband recognized that something was wrong long before his diagnosis
  • Patients and loved ones need to be empowered to change physicians if they don’t like the care they are receiving
  • The important contributions of end-of-life doulas and advocates
  • The stages of dementia Beverly observed in caring for Walt
  • Why others may not recognize significant changes that the caregiver can see
  • The constant loss and grief of dementia caregiving
  • Why an advance directive tailored for dementia is essential
  • There is a window of time where life values conversations need to be held with patients and loved ones
  • The experience of caregiver grief and guilt

Links mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu, and to everyone who bought me a coffee or donated on Paypal! Your contributions make all the difference and ensure this podcast stays ad-free.

EOLPodcast

Ep. 468 Supporting Family Caregivers: Notes from the Field with Gabrielle Elise Jimenez

kwyattmd

Learn some tips and tools for offering support to family caregivers tending a loved one on hospice.

My return guest Gabby Jimenez is a hospice nurse, end-of-life doula, death and dying educator, author and blogger. She is the author/co-author of numerous books, including Dignity Day and The Doula Tool Kit and the host of The Hospice Heart community on Facebook. In today’s conversation she shares her thoughts about how to support family caregivers through some of the overwhelming issues they face while caring for a loved one. We address our concerns for the well-being of family caregivers and offer some tips for improving their experience with hospice and easing their subsequent grief after death occurs. Learn more at her website:

thehospiceheart.net

Get Gabby’s books here

YouTube Channel

Listen here:

This episode includes:

  • Major issues for family caregivers tending a loved one on hospice care
  • How lack of training for caregivers leads to fears of not doing the right thing and lingering guilt after death
  • What to say to reassure a family caregiver
  • The importance of slowing down and listening deeply to the concerns of the caregiver
  • Tools and tips for supporting a family caregiver

Links mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu, especially my latest supporters Heather Capuana and Paul, and to Peg Hofmann for joining the $10 for 10 Years Campaign! Your contributions make all the difference and ensure this podcast stays ad-free.