Over the course of several years, Angela Ibarra faced a series of profound losses, including her husband, her mother, her job, and eventually her father. Her caregiving journey began early, shaped by a childhood spent supporting a sister with muscular dystrophy and later intensified as she became the primary caregiver for her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s. Angela candidly shares the emotional toll of watching her mother’s personality change, the exhaustion of managing her care, and the heartbreak of feeling both anger and love during her mother’s decline. She describes the unique pain of grieving someone long before their physical passing and the complicated relief that can accompany the end of a loved one’s suffering.

Angela’s story is also one of adaptation and self-discovery. After losing her husband and mother within weeks of each other, and later her father, Angela was forced to confront not only her grief but also the impact these experiences had on her career and sense of self. She speaks openly about the challenges of returning to work, the lack of understanding from colleagues, and the eventual loss of her job, which became a catalyst for seeking therapy and reevaluating her life’s direction. Through writing, connecting with others, and embracing her vulnerability, Angela has found new purpose in sharing her story and supporting others who are navigating similar journeys. Her reflections underscore the importance of self-compassion, the messiness of caregiving, and the ongoing process of healing after loss.

Thank you to sponsor: CareScout

Angela Ibarra is a former VP of HR who spent over 30 years at HP in a variety of leadership roles. Now, she helps entrepreneurs launch their own staffing agencies. She is still figuring out who she wants to be when she grows up. What she can say is that she is a survivor, a storyteller, and a lifelong work in progress.

She has raised an incredible and very spirited daughter who has taught her the importance of having several bottles of red wine on hand at all times.

She now proudly answers to "Gigi" to a growing crew of grandkids, which is a whole different level of joy.

When she's not coaching future business owners, she's probably writing, cooking, sipping wine, or watching animal videos, which is one of her passions. She is known as the animal whisperer.

Whether through poetry, songwriting, or her in-progress book, she believes in the power of sharing stories—the real ones, with heart, grit, and humor. And yes, she’s got a few to share.

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Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Sisterhood of Care, LLC

Website: www.confessionsofareluctantcaregiver.com

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