When you visit your ill or aging parents over the holidays, you might be in for a surprise. Maybe your mom seems confused or your dad is having trouble with driving. Maybe you're not sure if the changes you're seeing are something to worry about or are just normal aging. 

What should you look for? What should you worry about? What changes are not actually concerning?

In this episode of The Integrative Palliative Podcast, Dr. Delia Chiaramonte discusses what to look for when you visit your aging parents and when you should worry.

Do you know someone with an aging parent? Send them this episode.

Knowledge is power.

Happy holidays!

Dr. Delia

Delia Chiaramonte, MD

https://www.doctordelia.com

Coping Courageously: A Heart-Centered Guide for Navigating a Loved One’s Illness Without Losing Yourself is available here: www.copingcourageously.com

Please review this podcast wherever you listen and forward your favorite episode to a friend! And be sure to subscribe!

Sign up to stay connected and learn about upcoming programs:
https://trainings.integrativepalliative.com/IPI-stay-in-touch

I'm thrilled to be listed in Feedspot's top 15 palliative podcasts!
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/

Some people have wonderful experiences with hospice, and other people say the experience was terrible. What's the difference?

If your loved one is sick enough to need hospice, it's a highly stressful time for your whole family. Whether your loved one has cancer, dementia, ALS, COPD or another serious illness, making the decision for when to request hospice care is tough.

Once you've made the decision to start hospice, how do you make sure that your loved one and your family get the very best hospice care? In this episode we discuss the 10 ways to be sure you get the very best hospice care.

Caring for you as you care for them.

Dr. Delia

https://doctordelia.com

Be sure to subscribe to The Integrative Palliative Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-integrative-palliative-podcast/id1617730043

Coping Courageously: A Heart-Centered Guide for Navigating a Loved One’s Illness Without Losing Yourself is available here: www.copingcourageously.com

Please review this podcast wherever you listen and forward your favorite episode to a friend! And be sure to subscribe!

Sign up to stay connected and learn about upcoming programs:
https://trainings.integrativepalliative.com/IPI-stay-in-touch

I'm thrilled to be listed in Feedspot's top 15 palliative podcasts!
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/

Grief is tough. It is so very hard when a loved one dies. Whether it is expected because of serious illness or a total shock, grief is painful. 

And also, grief is part of life. Sometimes people compound their suffering by asking "Why am I still grieving so hard?" or "Shouldn't I be better by now?"

Trying to push grief away doesn't help. In fact, it can make grieving even harder. 

This meditation is an invitation to make peace with grief.

If you have ever lost a person, a pet, a prized possession, a job, an identity, or anything else, this meditation is for you.

Be sure you're in a safe place (no driving!) when you listen.

I'm glad you're here.

Doctor Delia

www.DoctorDelia.com

Coping Courageously: A Heart-Centered Guide for Navigating a Loved One’s Illness Without Losing Yourself is available here: www.copingcourageously.com

Please review this podcast wherever you listen and forward your favorite episode to a friend! And be sure to subscribe!

Sign up to stay connected and learn about upcoming programs:
https://trainings.integrativepalliative.com/IPI-stay-in-touch

I'm thrilled to be listed in Feedspot's top 15 palliative podcasts!
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/

Facing a serious loss after a loved one has died is just so tough. Without meaning to we can compound the stress of it all by how we approach our grief.

The mindful approach to grief involves noticing, not judging, and using compassionate curiosity. It makes space for grief because grief is part of life and love. 

Here is the reference mentioned in the episode: 

Huang FY, et al. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on bereavement grief: Alterations of resting-state network connectivity associate with changes of anxiety and mindfulness. Hum Brain Mapp. 2021 Feb 1;42(2):510-520. 

I'm glad you're here.

Dr. Delia

www.integrativepalliative.com

www.DoctorDelia.com (coming soon)

Coping Courageously: A Heart-Centered Guide for Navigating a Loved One’s Illness Without Losing Yourself is available here: www.copingcourageously.com

Please review this podcast wherever you listen and forward your favorite episode to a friend! And be sure to subscribe!

Sign up to stay connected and learn about upcoming programs:
https://trainings.integrativepalliative.com/IPI-stay-in-touch

I'm thrilled to be listed in Feedspot's top 15 palliative podcasts!
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/

Caregiving doesn't just happen in the current moment - it brings old family roles that we've been playing out since childhood back to life. The "responsible one" burns out, and the "favorite" expects everyone to defer to them. The "ghost" fades into the background, and the "rebel" resists every decision. 

In this episode Dr. Delia Chiaramonte explores the hidden scripts that siblings carry into caregiving, why they cause so much conflict, and how you can step out of those roles instead of letting them cause stress and chaos.

Once you see your "script" you can start to write a new one.

What role do you play?

www.integrativepalliative.com

Coping Courageously: A Heart-Centered Guide for Navigating a Loved One’s Illness Without Losing Yourself is available here: www.copingcourageously.com

Please review this podcast wherever you listen and forward your favorite episode to a friend! And be sure to subscribe!

Sign up to stay connected and learn about upcoming programs:
https://trainings.integrativepalliative.com/IPI-stay-in-touch

I'm thrilled to be listed in Feedspot's top 15 palliative podcasts!
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/

When someone is nearing the end of life, the idea of leaving behind a “goodbye” or legacy letter can feel meaningful, but also overwhelming. What do you say? How do you start? In this episode, Dr. Delia offers a gentle guide to writing a letter that captures your love, gratitude, and wisdom without the pressure to be perfect.

You’ll learn:

• Why legacy letters matter so deeply for both the writer and the reader
• Simple tips to make the process less overwhelming
• Ten powerful prompts to spark your writing — from sharing what you’ve cherished in your life to what you love most about your person

Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or simply someone who wants to capture your story for those you love, this episode will help you find the right words.

Coping Courageously: A Heart-Centered Guide for Navigating a Loved One’s Illness Without Losing Yourself is available here: www.copingcourageously.com

Please review this podcast wherever you listen and forward your favorite episode to a friend! And be sure to subscribe!

Sign up to stay connected and learn about upcoming programs:
https://trainings.integrativepalliative.com/IPI-stay-in-touch

I'm thrilled to be listed in Feedspot's top 15 palliative podcasts!
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/

We all need this episode. Whether you're a family caregiver, caring for an ill or aging loved one, or you're a busy clinician who cares for seriously ill patients, this episode is for you.

Michael L Smith shares his wisdom and inspirational guidance about how we all block the love that we deserve and how we can learn to receive it.

Michael is a visionary author, speaker, and transformational guide whose life’s work bridges love, longevity, holistic well-being, and human potential. Michael has devoted his life to helping people remember their individual and collective wholeness, holiness, and sacred purpose.

His journey has been shaped by profound personal experiences, including the loss of his brother Ric (52), which deepened his calling to explore love not as an abstract ideal but as a living medicine for the heart, gut, mind, body and soul. Through books, courses, retreats, and public talks, he weaves science, spirituality, and lived wisdom into practical pathways for personal transformation and collective healing.

Michael’s forthcoming book, How to Receive Love: Your Heart & Soul’s Purpose, and its companion programs aim to ignite a global movement of self-love, deep connection, and inspired service. 

You can find Michael at https://receivelove.com/

Have a listen and soothe your soul.

Dr. Delia

P.S., Join our private Facebook group "CareWell for Caregivers"

www.doctordelia.com

Coping Courageously: A Heart-Centered Guide for Navigating a Loved One’s Illness Without Losing Yourself is available here: www.copingcourageously.com

Please review this podcast wherever you listen and forward your favorite episode to a friend! And be sure to subscribe!

Sign up to stay connected and learn about upcoming programs:
https://trainings.integrativepalliative.com/IPI-stay-in-touch

I'm thrilled to be listed in Feedspot's top 15 palliative podcasts!
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/

Caring for a parent who is aging or who has dementia, debility, or serious illness such as cancer can be absolutely exhausting. 

It can feel like you're hanging on by your fingernails. 

This week on The Integrative Palliative Podcast we're talking about 15 ways to help you care for yourself as you care for your aging parent.

Your wellbeing matters too.

- Dr. Delia

www.integrativepalliative.com

Join our Facebook Group, CareWell for Caregivers

Coping Courageously: A Heart-Centered Guide for Navigating a Loved One’s Illness Without Losing Yourself is available here: www.copingcourageously.com

Please review this podcast wherever you listen and forward your favorite episode to a friend! And be sure to subscribe!

Sign up to stay connected and learn about upcoming programs:
https://trainings.integrativepalliative.com/IPI-stay-in-touch

I'm thrilled to be listed in Feedspot's top 15 palliative podcasts!
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/

If your parent has cancer, dementia, serious illness, or is just declining because they're getting older, you may feel the urge to help them as they get weaker. Perhaps you make space in your busy life, juggle responsibilities with both your parents and your kids, research the best care, and just try your best to show up for your parents. 

When you do all that it can be shocking and frustrating if your parents rebuff your efforts to help.

This week on The Integrative Palliative Podcast I share 20 things that you can do if your parents won't accept your help.

Thanks for all that you do!

Dr. Delia

Delia Chiaramonte, MD

www.integrativepalliative.com

Coping Courageously: A Heart-Centered Guide for Navigating a Loved One’s Illness Without Losing Yourself is available here: www.copingcourageously.com

Please review this podcast wherever you listen and forward your favorite episode to a friend! And be sure to subscribe!

Sign up to stay connected and learn about upcoming programs:
https://trainings.integrativepalliative.com/IPI-stay-in-touch

I'm thrilled to be listed in Feedspot's top 15 palliative podcasts!
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/

There are so many kinds of grieving. You may be grieving the death of a loved one, a pet, a breast, a job, or you may be experiencing anticipatory grief for a loved one who is ill or aging.

Grief is not a competition.

There is no hierarchy of grief. Some people are grieving the loss of a spouse or the loss of a child or the loss of a sibling or parent. Everyone's grief is individual, and there is no value in comparing.

If you have an ill or aging loved one, or a loved one who has died, listen to this week's episode for 8 ways to honor your own grief and avoid comparing it to the grief of others.

Your wellbeing matters.

Dr. Delia

Delia Chiaramonte, MD

P.S., Now available as an audiobook: Coping Courageously: A Heart-Centered Guide for Navigating a Loved One’s Illness Without Losing Yourself 

Coping Courageously: A Heart-Centered Guide for Navigating a Loved One’s Illness Without Losing Yourself is available here: www.copingcourageously.com

Please review this podcast wherever you listen and forward your favorite episode to a friend! And be sure to subscribe!

Sign up to stay connected and learn about upcoming programs:
https://trainings.integrativepalliative.com/IPI-stay-in-touch

I'm thrilled to be listed in Feedspot's top 15 palliative podcasts!
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/