What happens when an individual refuses to be cared for by a family member and that individual has a chronic condition? That’s the dilemma facing today’s guest, a Wisconsin mother who asked that we not use her last name.

In the U.S., as many as 8.4 million people act as caregivers to adults with emotional or mental health conditions. Kristi Horner's brother suffered from mental illness; after he committed suicide Kristi founded Courage to Caregivers, a non-profit focused exclusively on helping caregivers for a loved one with mental illness. She tells us how the non-profit is helping to break the stigma of mental illness.

Attorney and empowerment guru Tamesha Keel talks about powering through work as she coordinated her mother’s multiple care needs and letting go of her “perfect daughter” mindset. Plus: tough-love fights with her mom, their complicated but magical trip to New Orleans sponsored by the Dream Foundation and the demographics of care.

Happy Valentine's Day! Katherine Summers is a professional caregiver with heart. She provides tips for finding reliable in-home care, talks about coming to terms with clients who die and tells us how she counsels family members who are confused about what’s going on with their elderly loved ones. Whether you’re thinking about hiring a home health aide or are just curious to know how a high-quality caregiver manages her job, this interview with a seasoned pro is for you.

Alzheimer’s Speaks founder Lori La Bey is driven to help people with dementia and their care partners live positive and purpose-filled lives. Her work has been recognized by Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Oz and Sharecare and Alzheimer’s advocate Maria Shriver, who named Lori an “Architect of Change for Humanity.” For Lori, it’s all about shifting from crisis to comfort and choosing to consciously care in every moment we’re given.

Award-winning journalist John Leland shares some of the lessons he learned from his "85 and Up" series for The New York Times and six elders profiled in his best-selling book, “Happiness Is A Choice You Make: Life Lessons From the Oldest Old.”

Candia, New Hampshire residents Kathy and Ray MacDonald vowed when they got married that neither mother-in-law would ever live with them. Then Kathy’s mother Simone developed Alzheimer’s disease. Tune in and get inspired.

Singer/songwriter, guitarist and producer Kate Schutt talks about returning to live in her childhood home to care for her mother and their intense journey from her mom's stage 3c ovarian cancer diagnosis to death, and writing about life and loss for her forthcoming album, “Bright Nowhere,” which Kate is working on with legendary producer/arranger Rob Mounsey.

Veteran journalist Paula Span talks about the issues explored in her twice-monthly column for The New York Times, “The New Old Age”—the only dedicated real estate at the Times that talks about aging issues and caregiving. She also weighs in on ageism, the realities of aging in place, reader reactions to some of her more popular pieces and how the landscape of care has changed.

Dr. Nicole Rochester has known she wanted to be a pediatrician since she was about eight years old. In today’s show she shares her insider’s view of the way hospitals work: how the doctor-patient relationship has changed over the years, how the fast-paced nature of hospitals affects care and why family meetings are a critical component of care.