What exactly is palliative care—and why do so many people misunderstand it?

In this episode of Coming Clean About Caregiving, I sit down with palliative care physician and medical educator Dr. Lindsey Ulin to separate fact from fiction about one of the most misunderstood specialties in medicine. We explore what palliative care really is, when patients should ask for it, and how a palliative care team supports not only people living with serious illness, but also the family caregivers who walk beside them.

Dr. Ulin also shares the deeply personal story of caring for her father during the final six months of his life as he battled multiple sclerosis—a journey that continues to shape the way she practices medicine and teaches the next generation of physicians.

Together, we discuss why caregivers so often feel invisible in the healthcare system, what it means to truly feel seen, and how healthcare professionals can better support the people providing care every day at home and in the hospital.

Whether you're caring for a loved one now or simply want to be prepared for the future, this episode offers practical, compassionate advice for navigating serious illness and advocating with confidence.

In this episode, you'll learn:
• What palliative care is—and what it isn't.
• When to ask for a palliative care consultation.
• How palliative care teams support patients and family caregivers.
• Why caregivers often feel overlooked and how clinicians can change that.
• Practical ways to advocate for a hospitalized loved one, including requesting a family meeting, working with a hospital patient advocate or ombudsman, and keeping organized notes about your loved one's care.
• How Dr. Ulin's own caregiving experience transformed her approach to medicine.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, unheard, or unsure of what questions to ask while caring for someone you love, this conversation will leave you feeling more informed, empowered, and, most importantly, less alone.