In this episode of the Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver podcast, we have a heart-to-heart conversation with Barry Jacobs. Barry is a clinical psychologist, family therapist, and a principal for a national healthcare consulting firm. He shares his personal experiences as a caregiver for his father and stepfather, both of whom suffered from severe illnesses. This touching journey explores family dynamics and emotional challenges caregivers face and highlights the importance of resilience and self-care in providing adequate care for others.

Barry's unique perspective as a clinical psychologist, family therapist, writer, blogger, and caregiver shines through as he discusses his journey and how it inspired him to help other families facing similar experiences. We delve into the impact of caregiving on personal life, family dynamics, and marital relationships, emphasizing the significance of understanding and managing emotional reactions in challenging caregiving situations.

In this episode, you will discover: 

•  Barry's personal experience as a caregiver, starting at a young age
•  Issues of family dynamics during caregiving
•  Impact of caregiving on marital relationship
•  Reflections on personal experiences and perspectives in caregiving

About Barry:

Dr. Barry J. Jacobs, Psy.D., is a renowned clinical psychologist and family therapist with a significant career in healthcare consulting at Health Management Associates. He spent over two decades as the Director of Behavioral Sciences at the Crozer-Keystone Family Medicine Residency Program. An accomplished author, Dr. Jacobs has published several books on relationships and caregiving, including titles under AARP. He's recognized for his 600+ presentations on family caregiving and holds an honorary board position at the Well Spouse Association. In 2016, he received a lifetime achievement award from the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association. Before his psychology career, he was a journalist for The Village Voice and Rolling Stone Press. He's been an AARP.org blogger since 2013. Dr. Jacobs holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a doctorate in psychology from Widener University.

Connect with Barry:

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LinkedIn
Facebook
AARP.org Caregiving Expert Page
Books: The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers—Looking Out For Yourself and Your Family While Helping an Aging Parent (Guilford, 2006):

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Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

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Website: www.confessionsofareluctantcaregiver.com

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