Podcasts for Family Caregivers: Get Informed and Empowered

Few of us feel prepared to care for our elderly parents, but life circumstances sometimes demand we step into this role. Caregiver burnout is all too common among family caregivers. We can easily feel overwhelmed, fall prey to scams, and lose time or money to inferior elder products and services. Family caregivers need more support, and caregiver podcasts have found this growing audience.

Recently, we listed some of the most relevant and popular podcasts for seniors; now, let’s talk about senior caregiver podcasts that can help family caregivers provide excellent care for their loved ones without growing exhausted.

Why podcasts about caregiving?

• Caring for elderly or disabled loved ones can feel isolating. The day can fill up so much that friends fall by the wayside, and life can get lonely when no one around you is going through the same thing. Podcasts for caregivers can help reduce feelings of isolation and offer strategies to balance life.
• Even when someone is going through the same thing—in the same family!—relationships can change. Sibling conflict and resentments can be difficult to navigate as there are disagreements about a parent’s care or the siblings’ individual responsibilities. Podcasts by creators who have been through this (or by experts, such as professional mediators) can bring ideas, hope, and a reality check.
• Caregivers can carry guilt about their weariness or frustration. Compassion fatigue can develop, leaving caregivers irritable and pessimistic about the future. Podcasts on the subject help normalize these feelings and guide you through them.
• Podcasts on your loved one’s particular illness or condition can help you grow knowledge of symptoms and effective care, so you can feel more confident caring for them at home and advocating with their doctor.
• Lastly, podcasts may discuss or review options for home care, home health, assistive technology, and other services or products that might make care easier or safer.

The following are some of the best-loved family caregiver podcasts, covering a wide range of relevant topics with grace, humor, and candor. Note: While most links will take you to particular listening platforms, some podcasts are available on more than one platform.

(On the same subject, be sure to check out our list of books for caregivers.)

Practical Podcasts

• Caring for Your Aging Parents (link). Covering topics from assisted living to spotting dementia early, this podcast is well-rounded and accessible to family caregivers.
• All Things Seniors (link). Another option with wide-ranging subjects, this show ended a few years ago, but the available episodes are still worth a listen.
• The Caring Generation (link). This one offers advice on many topics, but especially on long term medical care and legal/financial planning matters.
• From Overwhelmed to Relieved: The Senior Caregiving Podcast (link). If you enjoy our blog covering a variety of subjects related to aging and caregiving, you’ll enjoy this podcast published by Clark County Senior Resources in Washington State.
• The Dementia Care Partner Podcast (link). Homing in on one of seniors’ most challenging, mysterious diagnoses, this podcast covers many aspects of dementia care for a family caregiver audience.
• The Caregiver Resource Network Podcast (link). Episodes address a spectrum of topics from helpful smart home technology to preventative health for caregivers.

Podcasts for Moral Support

• The Caregiver Cup (link). Caregivers must fill their own cup to pour into others. Host Cathy VandenHeuvel teaches us how to do just that.
• Caregiver-2-Go (link). Brought to you by the Veterans Health Administration’s Office of Caregiver Support, this newer podcast speaks to caregiver mental health and self-care needs.
• Caregiver Chats (link). Can caregivers date? Can caregiving be joyful? This podcast tackles the everyday, important experiences of family caregivers.
• Champions Corner (link). This show from caregiving.com takes a realistic view of caregiving challenges, bringing solutions and encouragement.
• Caregiver SOS (link). With a bent towards caring for loved ones with dementia, this popular podcast is relatable to any caregiver, at any stage of their care journey.
• Happy Healthy Caregiver (link). Real caregivers tell their stories of building happy, healthy lives while caring for loved ones.
• Caregiver Compass (link). Speaking especially to “sandwich generation” caregivers, this one is a resource for those figuring out a parent’s next phase while also raising children, nurturing a marriage, or growing a career.
• Caregiver Chronicles (link). Another with a sandwich generation focus, this podcast was created by a CNA caring for different family members with dementia, while also raising two sons on the autism spectrum.
• The Cancer Caregiver (link). Cancer is often a frightening diagnosis with long, exhausting treatment. This podcast recognizes the ups, downs, and “mehs” of caring for someone with cancer.
• Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver (link). Hosted by sisters caring for their mom with Parkinson’s, this show features stories from listeners who are standing in the care gap for their families.

Podcasts to Dig Deeper

• Daughterhood, the Podcast (link). More “moral support” than “practical podcast,” this one is uniquely courageous in tackling hard subjects like caring for a narcissistic parent and processing their end-of-life.
• In Sickness (link). While most caregiver podcasts focus on caring for an elderly relative, this one is hosted by two Millennials caring for chronically ill spouses, offering a slightly different perspective.
• The Heart of Hospice Podcast (link). This podcast turns attention to palliative care and hospice, offering support and insight to an often confusing and difficult experience for caregivers.
• Hospice Explained (link). Another hospice-focused show, this one has bite-sized episodes and interviews with hospice professionals.
• Grief Out Loud (link). Grief is complex and can be intimidating to those around us. This podcast shines a light on the different ways people grieve through creativity, ritual, and just plain honesty.

Podcasts have become a popular form of media due to the wide range of subjects covered and the simplicity of listening while you do chores or drive to work. For family caregivers—new and experienced—they can also be a lifeline to hope and a sense of stability.

If your loved one needs home care, our VetAssist mission is to make home care easily and quickly accessible for those who qualify through the VA Pension with Aid and Attendance benefit. Veterans Home Care can help you determine whether you or your loved one will be eligible to receive the benefit, which can cover some or all of the cost of home care, and we make it easy to apply. Chat with us via our website, or call us at (888) 314-6075.