Positive Caregiving with Dr. Sarah Teten Kanter (ep. 604)

Each day, more than 54 million Americans are responsible for serving as a caregiver for a loved one.

Three decades with Parkinson’s disease has made movement for my father Denny O’Leary nearly impossible. But with the help of another person, guiding him from spot to spot, supporting him in the shower, assisting as he gets dressed, and guiding a wheelchair from room to room, the absolute impossible becomes possible. And this care happens all day, every day.

For Dad, the person doing all that work is my mother, Susan O’Leary. She’s remarkable, and she’s not alone. 

Often caregiving is a burden to bear and a problem to be solved. And yet as an expert in gerontology, Dr. Sarah Teten Kanter is on a mission to make caregiving and care receiving a time to savor and an opportunity for personal growth.

Today, Sarah shares the simple activities, conversation-inspiring questions, and self-care practices designed to immerse caregivers and their care partners in gratitude, empathy, forgiveness, love, and awe. Why these five specific emotions? By exuding these positive emotions, it’s been shown to improve health, reduce stress and create meaning in daily life in the relationships of caregivers and care receivers.

My friends, this conversation reminds us to embrace the full gift of life at every stage and every age.