Family caregivers are the unsung heroes holding America’s healthcare system together.

In this episode, Dr. Barry Jacobs, a clinical psychologist, family therapist, and author of The AARP Caregiver Answer Book, discusses the emotional, financial, and logistical realities faced by family caregivers, who often serve as the silent backbone of elder care in the U.S. 

Dr. Jacobs shares his deeply personal journey, from losing his father at 15 to years of caring for aging parents and in-laws, revealing how these experiences shaped his lifelong mission to support caregivers. He delves into the various roles caregivers play, from medical advocates and financial organizers to emotional anchors, and how unprepared most are for the demanding marathon of caregiving. 

Dr. Jacobs and host Christopher Kunney delve into the internal family conflicts that caregiving can trigger, the importance of teamwork, and the common mistake of denial when facing aging and illness. He also examines government and community support systems, new Medicaid models that compensate family caregivers, and the emergence of digital caregiving technologies that integrate human connection with data-driven support. 

Finally, he closes with wisdom on adaptability, self-care, and learning as the keys to surviving and thriving as a caregiver.

Tune in and learn how to strengthen families, embrace technology, and prepare for the emotional journey of caregiving!

Resources

• Connect with Dr. Barry Jacobs on LinkedIn here.

• Follow Health Management Associates on LinkedIn here and visit their website here.

• Buy Barry’s book The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers here.

• Get The AARP Caregiver Answer Book by Barry on Amazon here, or check it out on the AARP website.

• Contact Barry here.

• Learn more about WellLink on LinkedIn and explore their website.