Supportive and Insightful Podcasts For Family Caregivers

There are currently over 4 million active podcasts, which is a testament to their popularity. Podcasts cover a wide range of topics from cooking, the arts, and politics to book reviews, health, and family caregiving.

Whether you are new to the family caregiver journey or are finding your stride, podcasts can offer a beneficial listening experience that’s accessible and available at your convenience. Podcasts can offer encouragement, smart insights, and useful ideas.

What is a podcast?

A podcast is a series of audio episodes you can listen to on your phone, computer, tablet, or smart speaker. Many are free and easy to find through apps like Apple Podcasts or Spotify, on Youtube, or on a show’s own website. Some podcasts release new episodes weekly or monthly, while others don’t follow a set schedule.

As with any source of information, it’s wise to do a little research on the podcaster before taking their advice. Look into the host’s background, credentials, and experience. And always check with your doctor or another trusted healthcare professional before acting on any medical or health information you hear.

Why listen to a podcast?

Practical advice. Podcasts can offer caregiving tips, self-care ideas to encourage your own well-being, and real-world resources. The value of new tools, service, supports, insights, or information can make the caregiving journey feel more manageable, enjoyable, and less lonely.

Education. Knowledge can be a caregiver’s superpower. Caring for ourselves or someone else as we age usually comes with more questions than answers. Knowledge about aging, health, changes as we grow older, dementia and other conditions, as well as tried-and-true caregiving techniques can help you provide better care. Health information on medical treatments, therapies, and caregiving best practices can be crucial.

Emotional support. Caregiving can be stressful and isolating. Listening to a podcast where others share their experiences, discoveries, and insights can help you feel validated and a little less isolated. You’re not alone. Engaging with content that acknowledges and addresses the emotional challenges of caregiving can help with coping strategies, as well as reduce stress and anxiety.

Convenience. Podcasts can be listened to at any time and in various settings, making them an accessible form of support. You can choose topics that are most relevant to your current needs and concerns.

Encouragement. Don’t underestimate the positive power of regular doses of positive reinforcement and encouragement. It can be motivating. Hearing success stories and positive outcomes can inspire.

Here are some podcasts on family caregiving:

• Daughterhood The Podcast. This monthly podcast aims to provide insight into navigating the healthcare system, resources, support, and community to those caring for their loved ones.
• Happy Healthy Caregiver. The show where real family caregivers share how to be happy and healthy while caring for others.
• In Sickness: Men and the Culture of Caregiving. A monthly 25- to 30-minute podcast featuring the powerful narratives of committed and compassionate male caregivers. This podcast chronicles the stories of the increasing numbers of men accepting and flourishing in the role of family caregiver.
• GeriPal PodCast. A geriatrics and palliative care podcast for every healthcare professional, but in our humble opinion, families will value these conversations too. Hosts Eric Widera and Alex Smith invite the brightest minds in geriatrics, hospice, and palliative care to talk about the topics that you care most about, ranging from recently published research in the field to controversies that keep us up at night. You’ll laugh, learn, and maybe sing along.
• Wisdom Wednesday. Aging Wisdom’s short, bite-size podcast offering weekly wisdom and insights for living well, caring well, and aging well.
• Twenty-Four Seven: A podcast about caregiving. Through audio diaries and conversations with friends and experts, Twenty-Four Seven explores how we help our loved ones live—and die—and what they mean to us.

November is National Family Caregivers Month. Family caregivers should be celebrated every day. We hope this article brings you encouragement and hope.

Contributor Wendy Nathan, BSc, CMC is a Care Manager Certified, Lead with Aging Wisdom, an Aging Life Care practice serving King and south Snohomish Counties.