About this episode
Caroline Shelby discusses the complexities of grieving while caring for a parent with Alzheimer's.
Crisis, Grief, & Comfort on OPEN MIC Today, Caroline Shelby from Grief Clarity Labs joins our host, Lori La Bey. Caroline dives into the effects of grieving a parent while still caring for them. Caroline cared for her mother through Alzheimer’s for 15 years, and what stayed with her the most wasn’t just the progression of the disease, but how much of the grief happened while her mother was still alive. Quietly, and often without language. Her journey caring for her mother now informs her work as a grief educator, where she supports caregivers in understanding what they are carrying in real time, mentally, emotionally, and in their daily decision-making. The ladies discuss: Anticipatory grief and what it actually looks like during caregiving The invisible mental load caregivers carry day to day How to respond when roles begin to reverse The emotional complexity that often goes unspoken (including anger, guilt, and relief) Contact Caroline Shelby at: www.griefclaritylabs.com Caroline’s Book: Living Beside the Leaving coming May of 2026 You are invited to join us on future shows Share Your Story, Service, Product, or Tool on…
People in this episode
Host: Lori La Bey
Guest: Caroline Shelby
Topics covered
- grief
- caregiving
- Alzheimer's
- anticipatory grief
- emotional complexity
Keywords
- grief
- caregivers
- Alzheimer's
- anticipatory grief
- emotional load
- decision-making
- support
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Grief Clarity Labs
Books & works: Living Beside the Leaving
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