Guest Podcast: Communication in Caregiving

In this episode of the Carefulist podcast, I had the opportunity to sit down with Katie Kristoffic and talk through a part of my life that is both tender and deeply meaningful — my caregiving journey. When Katie invited me onto the show, I knew we would be touching on topics that don’t always get the attention they deserve: the emotional weight caregivers carry, the importance of being truly informed, and the deep need for social support that so often goes unmet.

During our conversation, I shared how my understanding of caregiving began long before I ever stepped into that role personally — through research I conducted on caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s. What I learned then stayed with me and shaped how I showed up for my own parents later in life, even as a long-distance caregiver. Katie and I talked openly about the communication challenges that come with coordinating care across siblings, the complexities of advocating from afar, and the delicate balance of helping without disrupting routines that become essential for survival.

We also spent time talking about hospice — something many families don’t fully understand until they need it. For my family, hospice became a compassionate and steadying presence during a difficult season, and I’m grateful I had the chance to share that experience.

And while caregiving carries its share of heaviness, I also talked with Katie about the joy, humor, and connection that can still be found in the midst of it all — and about how I continue to honor my mom’s legacy as a reading teacher by putting books into the hands of young children.

I hope this episode offers encouragement, insight, and maybe even a bit of comfort to anyone currently caring for a loved one or navigating life after caregiving. It’s not an easy road, but none of us are walking it alone.