A Caregiver’s Story of Love, Loss, and Strength

In this episode Debbie shares her 40-year journey as a caregiver, beginning with her nursing career inspired by her father’s advice. After retiring in 2016, she remarried her former husband, who had a family history of Alzheimer’s, presenting new challenges as his cognitive health declined. Debbie faced significant stress, isolation, and increased responsibilities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout her caregiving experience, Debbie struggled with feelings of anger, sadness, and physical health issues, including high blood pressure and severe depression. She sought relief in meditation and eventually therapy, finding virtual sessions helpful. The financial strain from lost

income and caregiving costs compounded her stress. Debbie emphasizes the importance of therapy, support groups, and community engagement, sharing anecdotes about unexpected help from friends and advising caregivers to seek support proactively. After her husband passed away, she adopted coping strategies like meditation and exercise but struggled to re-engage in community activities. She highlights the physical and emotional toll of caregiving and stresses the need for personalized self-care strategies, advocating for self-compassion and avoiding comparisons to others’ experiences.

As an integrative nutrition coach, Debbie also focuses on holistic health, diet, and its effects on issues like gut health and sleep. She discusses the connection between gut health and brain function. Ultimately, she calls for greater public awareness and support for caregivers, emphasizing that they often struggle in silence and need more resources and understanding.

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