When Cheryl Hickey’s father was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, her family was thrown into a world they were not prepared for.In this candid conversation, Cheryl shares the emotional and practical realities of caregiving for an aging parent navigating dementia and Parkinson’s disease, including the difficult decision to move him into long-term care. She reflects on caregiver guilt, burnout, and the quiet strength required to keep going, all while balancing the demands so many in the sandwich generation fac...
When Cheryl Hickey’s father was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, her family was thrown into a world they were not prepared for.
In this candid conversation, Cheryl shares the emotional and practical realities of caregiving for an aging parent navigating dementia and Parkinson’s disease, including the difficult decision to move him into long-term care. She reflects on caregiver guilt, burnout, and the quiet strength required to keep going, all while balancing the demands so many in the sandwich generation face as they support both aging parents and their own families.
We also explore the broader challenges facing families today: why aging in place can feel out of reach, why long-term care systems remain stretched, and how we can better support caregivers across the country. It’s a powerful reminder that caregiving is both exhausting and deeply rooted in love, and that better support for the sandwich generation is urgently needed.
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Resources:
Cityline: Why Cheryl Hickey is advocating for higher standards in senior care
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu5U_et9yes
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Co-Executive Produced by: Carrie Hayden & Jess Carroll of 6of1 Digital
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I’m here to share stories and conversations, not medical or professional advice. I’m not a doctor, therapist, or licensed professional, and this podcast is NOT a substitute for guidance from qualified experts. Please seek out professional support when you need it. Take care and I’ll see you in the next episode.
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🟡 About The Hart of it All
A podcast about navigating the realities of caregiving.
No one should have to do it alone. That’s the heart behind The Hart of It All, hosted by Canadian broadcaster Teri Hart. Inspired by her own experience caring for her dad and helping her mom navigate a new reality, Teri shines a light on the stories, resources, and conversations caregivers need most.
From doctors and nutritionists to fellow caregivers living it every day, each episode offers guidance and connection. Honest, supportive, and grounded in lived experience, The Hart of It All is here to remind us that caring for each other is something we’re all in together.
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