Summary

Beth Koenig and Bethany Johnson discuss the challenges of elder care versus childcare. They share personal experiences of caring for their aging parents and the emotional toll it takes. The conversation highlights the lack of support for caregivers and the need for more open discussions and resources. They mention caregiver support groups and financial assistance options. Beth emphasizes the importance of focusing on quality time and finding ways to take care of one's own mental health. They also mention senior centers and daycare programs as resources for respite. The hosts express their desire to address taboo topics and make people feel less alone.

Show Notes

About The Hosts:
Beth Koenig is a caregiver and entrepreneur who has firsthand experience in elder care and disability support. She has navigated the challenges and complexities of caring for her father and understands the emotional toll it takes on families.

Bethany Johnson is a mother and owner of her own local and online preschools who has a toddler. Coming from the childcare perspective she relates to her experiences with her son and her aging parents.

Summary:
Beth Koenig shares her personal experience with elder care and the challenges she faced when her father had a health crisis. She discusses the suddenness of the situation and the emotional toll it took on her and her family. Beth also highlights the lack of support and resources available for caregivers and emphasizes the need for more awareness and discussion around elder care. She provides insights into the role reversal of caring for parents and the difficulties of watching their decline and loss of independence. Beth emphasizes the importance of focusing on quality time and finding support and resources to alleviate the burden on caregivers.

Key Takeaways:

• Elder care is often shouldered by a few individuals and is rarely discussed openly in society.
• Caregiving for elderly parents involves a variety of services and responsibilities, including financial, housing, health, and legal issues.
• The role reversal of caring for parents can be emotionally challenging, as it involves watching their decline and loss of independence.
• There is a lack of support and resources for caregivers, and the responsibility often falls on a few individuals without much assistance.
• Finding support groups and exploring financial assistance options can help alleviate the burden on caregivers.

Quotes:

• "Elder care is often shouldered by a few and rarely discussed with others."
• "Caregiving for elderly parents involves a variety of services responding to financial, housing, health, and legal issues."
• "The role reversal of caring for parents often involves feelings of sadness and denial as they are losing their abilities."
• "There is a lack of support and resources for caregivers, and the responsibility often falls on a few individuals without much assistance."
• "Focus on quality time because your quantity is rapidly decreasing."
• "If you've been caregiving for a long time and feeling at the end of your rope, take time for yourself and explore community resources for support."
• "We need to talk about topics that are often taboo to make people feel less alone."