Starting Over: The Unspoken Aftermath of Caregiving - Episode 68

Diane Carbo is joined by Alicia Huard to discuss the emotional and practical challenges caregivers face when their caregiving journey ends. Alicia shares her personal story of caregiving, which began in 2007 when her mother suffered a major heart attack. Over the years, Alicia cared for her mother, mother-in-law, and father, all while raising her own children. Her caregiving experiences eventually led her to become a death doula.

Alicia details the hardships she faced, including the financial strain of unpaid caregiving, lack of healthcare benefits, and the emotional toll of caring for loved ones at the end of their lives. After her father’s Alzheimer’s worsened, Alicia made the difficult decision to place him in long-term care. This led to feelings of guilt, a common experience for many caregivers. Alicia’s role shifted from hands-on caregiving to being her father’s advocate, where she now deals with issues such as missing belongings and inadequate care at the facility.

Alicia also shared the aftermath of caregiving, including her personal struggles to re-enter the workforce. After sustaining a concussion in a car accident, she has been left unable to drive and has faced difficulties securing employment, despite positive feedback from interviews. Diane and Alicia also discussed the systemic issues faced by caregivers, such as a lack of financial support, affordable respite care, and the long-term emotional impact of caregiving.

The episode highlights the often-overlooked challenges caregivers face once their caregiving responsibilities end, such as financial instability, feelings of isolation, and the struggle to rebuild their lives.