Can You Lose Who You Are: Caregiver Codependency Help

Eldercare Success

Can you become Co-Dependent on the Caregiving Role? What's that about?

In this episode of 'Doing It Best with Eldercare Success,' host Nancy May addresses the profound challenges and emotional journey faced by those caring for multiple elderly family members and what happens when our “job” in caring for them is over. Have you identified so much with being a caregiver that you become stuck in knowing who you really are? How do you move forward? How do you get the right support from friends and family? When is their support detrimental to your own well-being?

Nancy’s guest in this episode is Joined by Dr. Evan Plys, a PhD a board certified geropsychologist and professor at Harvard Medical School. Listen in as Dr. Plys and Nancy delve into the impact of caregiving on personal identity and emotional well-being.

Their discussion covers the struggle with accepting the term 'caregiver,' redefining roles beyond caregiving, and managing the emotional highs and lows associated with long-term caregiving. They also provide practical strategies for dealing with grief and transitioning to a new normal after a loved one's passing.

This episode of Eldercare Success is rich with insights and recommendations for you and other caregivers to maintain balance and mental health while fulfilling their caregiving duties.

Key Takeaways: How to. . .

• 📓 Better understand your role and position as a caregiver
• 🌟 Redefine your life after caregiving
• 📝 Maintain your personal identity
• ⚖️Normalize caregiving experiences
• 🧘‍♀️Get the right support from friends and family at the right time
• 💔How to move with strength.

Episode Goals:

This episode of Eldercare Success aims to support and empower caregivers like you to understand how to identify some of the key issues that will make your life easier after your care role has been completed. Even if you're in the beginning, middle, or end of your caregiving role, this episode can help you find more strength for yourself and those you love and who are dependent on your support.

Helpful Links:

• Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research: Massachusetts General Hospital
• Dr. Evan Plys, Ph.S. ABPP
• Podcast: Eldercare Success (please share with those you care about)
• Book: How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, and After
• Eldercare Success on YouTube
• Eldercare Success, link to ask Nancy a question: A small blue tab on the right side of the page says "Send a Voice Mail Message to Nancy." Click on that and follow the directions on the pop-up. Then, send me your comments and questions so I can answer them on the show.

00:00 Introduction to Eldercare Success

00:46 Meet Dr. Evan Plyes: Expert in Caregiver Wellbeing

01:52 What is our role and Identity as a Caregiver

02:43 Challenges and Misconceptions we face

04:48 Emotional Health and Professional Comparisons

07:46 Redefining who we are and what’s important to us

10:28 Grief and Identity After Caregiving Ends

26:48 Strategies for Coping with Loss

33:53 Final Thoughts and Resources and more.

🎤Guest: Dr. Evan Plys, Ph.D. Dr. Evan Plys (he/him) is a board-certified clinical geropsychologist at MGH CHOIR and a member of the Faculty at Harvard Medical School. He is a current Faculty Scholar with the NIA IMPACT Collaboratory. Evan’s research primarily focuses on optimizing psychosocial intervention with systematically disadvantaged older adults and aging families at critical time points along the long-term care continuum, such as post-acute rehabilitation. His research also seeks solutions to psychosocial challenges within the context of dementia, caregiving, and palliative care. Evan has extensive clinical experience providing psychological services to older adults, family caregivers, and in residential care settings. He is frequently called upon to give talks within the community on topics related to aging, mental health, and long-term care. As an educator, he was previously the Associate Director of Behavioral Health at the DAWN Clinic (Aurora, CO).

🎧🎤Host: Nancy May has gone from the Boardroom to the Emergency Room to care for her aging parents and educate business owners, corporate employees, and leaders with more strength and confidence in doing well and doing good. Nancy is the five-star author of How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, After! and an award-winning expert in managing the complexities of caring for an aging parent or family member, even from over 1200 miles away, or more for a Free File-of-Life to www.howtosurvive911.com.

Nancy is also the Co-Founder of CareManity LLC and the private FaceBook group Eldercare Success.

#harvard #massgeneral #emotionaldependency #burnout #codependency #caregiver #YaleMedSchool Keywords: #Caregiving, Family Care, Elderly Care, Medicaid, Medicare, Financial Support, Family Caregivers, Home Care, Aging Parents, State Programs, caregivers, discounts, saving money, creative gift giving. Parents, family care, family.

Disclaimer: The views, perspectives, and opinions expressed in this show are those of the show guests and not directly those of the companies they serve or that of the host or the producer CareManity, LLC. The information discussed should not be considered medical, legal, or financial advice. Please seek advice from your own personal medical, legal, or financial advisors, as each person’s situation is different. (c) Copyright 2024 CareManity, LLC, all rights reserved. CareManity is a trademark of CareManity, LLC.

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