KPFA FM Radio 94.1 - Caregiving, Grief, Burnout

4/17/23 Caregiving, Grief, and Burnout

Caregivers are one of the most overlooked groups in the medical system, particularly when it comes to life-threatening and terminal illness. Family caregivers face the emotional pain of watching someone they love struggle with illness, the social stress of feeling isolated in their caregiving roles, and the physical strain of having to lift, pull, and often stay up all night. And, of course, there’s also the grief that often comes after losing someone to a serious illness. Professional caregivers—doctors, nurses, social workers, and others—also face significant stress, as evidenced by skyrocketing burnout among healthcare providers. So, in this episode, we talk all about caregivers: the challenges they face, the grief they experience, and how they can care for themselves. Host David B. Feldman interviews Dr. Dale G. Larson, psychologist and author of the book The Helper’s Journey: Empathy, Compassion, and the Challenge of Caring.

(submitted by Gena / Touch Matters)