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June 29, 2025 10 mins
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Episode Transcript

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(00:00):
Welcome back to take care oftime.

(00:02):
The podcast where we dive intothe lives of caregivers and the
loved ones they support.
Sharing their struggles,triumphs.
And the incredible stories thatemerged from their journeys
together.
I'm your host Beverly Nance andtoday we take a deeper dive into
family caregiving.
The challenges of unevenresponsibility distribution.

(00:22):
And the consequences of burnout.
We explore what happens when theburdens are unequally shared.
And one caregiver reaches herlimit.
Meet Kathy Nicole and theirmother, Paula.
Kathy has been the primarycaregiver for their aging mother
who requires considerableattention due to her health
issues.

(00:43):
Nicole.
Meanwhile.
Has been less involved, oftensigning her busy work schedule.
Kathy has been the rock of thefamily, stepping up to care for
their mother.
As her health declined.
Nicole living a busy life withher career.
Has remained on the sidelines,her involvement limited to
occasional visits.
Kathy, the elder of the twosisters has always been.

(01:06):
the more responsible andnurturing one from a young age,
she took on a protective rolefor Nicole and was heavily
involved and family matters.
After college, she pursued acareer in nursing, which further
honed her caregiving skills.
She lives close to her mother,Paula, which naturally
positioned her as a primarycaregiver.
When Paul, his health began todecline.

(01:28):
Paula was once a vibrant andtenacious woman known in her
community for her gardeningskills and her active
involvement in local charities.
It widow for the last decade,she raised her daughters should
be strong and independent.
As she aged her health issues,including arthritis and mal
cognitive impairment.
Began to limit her activitiesleading to her dependence on her

(01:50):
daughter, Kathy.
Um, Uh, Um, Uh, In the heart ofa quiet Florida town.

(02:23):
Where every street corner seemsto tell a story of times past
lives.
Cathy.
A woman who has devoted much ofher adult life to caring for
others.
First as a nurse and now as aprimary caregiver for her aging
mother, Paula.
But today something isdifferent.
Today Kathy is packing, notmedical supplies or groceries.

(02:43):
But a suitcase.
And not for a swift errand or aday trip.
But for something much longer.
Much needed.
Kathy can't decide if she wantsto take the blue dress or the
floral one, she decides to packboth.
Kathy's story.
Isn't just about the burdens ofcare.
It's about what happens whenthose burdens become too heavy
to bear alone.

(03:04):
We want to caregiver needs careto.
And as we'll see, sometimestaking care of oneself might
feel like the biggest challengeof all.
It's early morning and the sunis barely touched the sky.
Cathy's car is packed.
Her friends, Beth and Donna arecalling.
They're headed to the port.
We're at cruise ship awaits.
Promising a week of relaxation,laughter and distance from daily

(03:28):
responsibilities.
Distance that Kathy desperatelyneeds.
But as the engine home to life.
Kathy's mind races.
She's left comprehensive careinstructions for her sister,
Nicole, who albeit reluctantlyagreed to step in.
Yet as a miles stretch outbefore her.
So does the guilt.

(03:49):
It took her with every passingmile.
Marker.
You see Nicole, isn't acaregiver.
She's not accustomed to themeticulous scheduling of
medications.
The precise preparation of mealsor the delicate dance of keeping
their mother Paula.
Engaged comfortable yetindependent.
Nicole is a different life.

(04:10):
Far from the daily rhythms ofcaregiving.
Fit with meetings, marketingstrategies and social
gatherings.
As Kathy's phone buzzes.
Relentlessly in the passengerseat.
She's reminded of the delicatebalance she left behind.
It's Nicole probably calling herwith questions that Cathy can
answer in her sleep.
But this week, sleep is not whatshe plans to lose over these

(04:33):
calls.
She lets the call go tovoicemail.
As the skyline or the portappears on the horizon, a
symbolic beacon of respite forCathy at her friends.
Something.
Palatable shifts in the air.
There's a collective sense ofrelease among them is shared
understanding that this journeyis not just a departure from

(04:54):
location.
But from the heavy roles theyshoulder her every day.
Kathy's phone vibrates.
Once again, lighting up withNicole's name.
But today Kathy makes a choice.
A choice to truly disconnect.
She presses the volume button.
silencing the call.
Her decision sealed with adetermined.
Yet weary smile.

(05:15):
Her phone slips quietly into thedepths of her bag, the screen
going dark along with anyobligation that carries for this
week, Kathy.
We like it to be one of openseas and open skies, not a
schedules and routines.
Cathy Beth and Donna paid extrafor priority boarding and are
now standing at the railing,Watching the bustling activity

(05:38):
of loading and boarding.
The air is salty and brisk.
feeled with calls, or seagullsand the distance sound of ship
horns.
It's a symphony of escape.
Vacation loading.
They laugh.
They're words ladden with adeeper meaning.
This isn't just a break fromwork.
It's a hiatus from theall-consuming identity of

(05:59):
caregiving.
And I did not that Kathy wearslike a second skin.
One she's momentarily.
Shedding.
Embarkation day on a cruiseship.
It's an event filled withexcitement and anticipation as
passengers arrive to begin theirjourney at sea.
After all the passengers haveboarded state rooms available

(06:20):
and safety drills complete.
Kathy Beth and Donna, make yourpromise to each other, not to
discuss caregiving for the week.
They make a toast.
No caregiving talk thecombination of embarkation day.
Is often marked by a sailawayparty on the deck.
As the ship pulls away from thedock.
Passengers gathered to watch.
The port recede enjoy livemusic, dance, and celebrate and

(06:44):
start their voyage.
That atmosphere is festive.
Feel with the sounds of laughtermusic and the ships horns.
Sounding his departure.
Kathy looks over the shipschedule.
She wants to visit the casino.
Bars.
Dance sit poolside and read theJames Patterson book that she
bought with her.

(07:04):
And eat some things that are newto her.
She is beyond ready forrelaxation, entertainment, and
discovery that she greatlydeserves.
And as the land slips away.
So does the immediate pull ofresponsibility.
For the first time in a longtime, Kathy allows herself to
exhale fully deeply.
Her breath, mingles.

(07:24):
With the sea air.
Her cares momentarily, cast intoa bass for giving.
sea Next week we'll return tothe shore and see the world
through Nicole's eyes.
But for now, we sail with Kathyinto a week of deserved peace
and recovery.
'cause sometimes to take care ofothers.
You first need to take care ofyourself.

(07:45):
This episode, isn't just about acaregiver taking a break.
It's about what happens when theinvisible threads that hold a
family together, start tounwind.
When the one who ties thosethreads, needs that go.
Just for a moment.
Join us next week as we exploreNicole's week as Paula's
caregiver.
We'll see through her eyes, thechallenges Cathy faces daily.

(08:07):
And perhaps understand a littlemore about what it truly means
to walk in a caregiver shoes.
Maybe then we can grasp theweight of the role.
Kathy has carried.
And what her brief respite meansfor all involved.
Until next week, take care ofyourselves and each other.
And remember Cain for someoneisn't just about meeting their
needs.

(08:27):
It's also about understandingwhen you meet your own needs.
It's a demanding role ofcaregiving.
Finding a moment to yourself canoften feel just out of reach.
That's why we created it.
The take your time.
Respite box.
Designed to bring you moments ofpeace.
I delivered directly to yourdoor.
Bi-monthly each respite box iscarefully curated with items

(08:50):
meant to sooth, uplift andrejuvenate.
From luxurious bath salts tocalming teas, to inspirational
books and comforting aromatherapy, candles.
Each piece is chosen to supportyour wellbeing.
Subscribe scribe it.
Take your time.com and receivethese beautifully packaged gifts
every other month.
Sign up now and enjoy a 10%discount on your first box with

(09:13):
the code.
Takecare10 that's take care.
And the number 10.
Because giving is a journey andevery journey needs a rest stop.
Take your time where every boxoffers a bimonthly breather to
refresh, restore and revitalizebecause caregivers deserve care
too.

(09:34):
Please note that this episodefeatures reenactments and
dramatize details.
While in most cases, the exactverbatim dialogue may not be
known.
All dramatizations are groundedin research.
To respect the privacy andconfidentiality of individuals
involved names and someidentifying details have been
changed.
Till next week.
Take care.

(09:55):
Um, Uh, Um, Uh,
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