Many family caregivers enter their roles out of necessity. An accident, injury, or serious medical event occurs, requiring friends and family to act quickly and fulfill immediate needs.
At first, you might feel like you’re just trying to keep your head above water. There’s so much to learn and do, but so little time for either. Don’t panic. Slowly but surely, you’ll master a routine, and there are plenty of resources out there to help you do it.
One resource that’s often overlooked is podcasts. If you’re too busy to sit down and read a book or watch a video, put your earpods in and press play. As long as you have a smartphone or a working internet connection, you can listen from anywhere.
There are hundreds of caregiving podcasts out there, but we wanted to highlight a few of our favorites. This article isn’t intended to compare or contrast and we aren’t saying any podcast is better than the other. Instead, we want to highlight some of the programs making a difference for caregivers and the caregiving community.
Happy Healthy Caregiver
Let’s start with Happy Healthy Caregiver, a podcast that Carewell co-founder and CEO, Bianca Padilla, recently appeared on.
The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is hosted by family caregiver and Certified Caregiving Consultant, Elizabeth Miller. In 2014, Miller’s dad passed away and the family moved her chronically ill mom to Georgia.
The stress, feelings of overwhelm, and never-ending to-do lists associated with these new responsibilities inspired her to create a community where family caregivers could share tips, resources, and support.
Since launching the podcast, Miller has interviewed some of the world’s leading caregiving experts. New episodes are published every other week on Wednesday mornings.
Click here to access the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast archive.
Caregiver SOS
Caregiver SOS is a podcast produced by the WellMed Charitable Foundation. It’s hosted by Carol Zernial, a nationally renowned gerontologist, and Ron Aaron, a veteran broadcaster.
Caregiver SOS is unique in that it covers a wide range of topics, including current events, medical research, and of course, caregiving. Recent podcast guests include Carlyn A. Brent, author of “The Caregiver’s Companion,” and Dr. Marissa Charles, a primary care physician and Heart Association Go Red for Women Advocate.
Click here to access the Caregiver SOS podcast archive.
The Caring Generation Podcast
The Caring Generation first aired from 2009 to 2011 on 630 KHOW-AM in Denver, Colorado. In 2018, host Pamela D. Wilson decided to relaunch the show as a podcast. Ever since she’s produced a weekly installment.
Wilson boasts more than 25 years of caregiving experience. Over the course of her career, she’s advocated and managed care for aging adults and their families.
With a mission to “support honest conversations between adult children caring for aging parents and spousal caregivers,” listeners can tune in without guilt, shame, or judgment.
If you’re struggling to cope with your new responsibilities or can’t seem to communicate with your care recipient, The Caring Generation is a great place to start. Each episode provides practical and proven caregiver advice.
Click here to access The Caring Generation podcast archive.
Knowledge for Caregivers
Knowledge for Caregivers is a podcast hosted by Kathy Cocks, a geriatric nurse who spent her entire career working with patients aged 65 and older.
“My experience has allowed me to help my own loved ones stay safe and healthy for as long as possible,” says Cocks in her podcast intro. Still, she understands that the aging process catches up with everyone. That’s one of the reasons Cocks created the podcast –– to share her insights with others.
Recent highlights include an interview with conflict coach, Jane Beddall, and an entire episode dedicated to“the importance of yoga as exercise and lifestyle for older adults.”
Click here to access the Knowledge For Caregivers podcast archive.
Fading Memories Podcast
Rounding out our list of “Best Podcasts for New Caregivers” is the Fading Memories Podcast, hosted by Jennifer Fink. After her father’s death in 2017, Fink became the primary caregiver for her mother who has Alzheimer’s disease.
At first, Fink turned to many of her favorite resources for information. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find what she was looking for. A huge fan of podcasts, Fink decided to create her own where caregivers of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients could learn, grieve, share stories, and find a community.
The Fading Memories Podcast releases a new episode every week. If you’re new to caregiving, make sure to check out the “For Beginners” collection here.
Click here to access the Fading Memories Podcast archive.
If your favorite podcast for caregivers didn’t make our list, swing by our Facebook page and let us know. We’re always looking for quality resources to share with our community of family caregivers and love hearing from readers like you.
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Read More >Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.
Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.