Dr. Lakelyn is joined by caregiving expert Pamela D. Wilson to explore one of the most emotionally complex and commonly misunderstood aspects of caregiving: navigating blended family dynamics and complex relationships.

As families evolve through remarriage, step-siblings, second spouses, or late-in-life partnerships, caregiving roles can become blurred. Tensions may arise around who makes decisions, how responsibilities are shared, and how to manage emotional boundaries and longstanding relationship dynamics.

With over two decades of experience, Pamela brings deep insight and practical strategies to help families navigate these situations with greater clarity, compassion, and cooperation.

Episode highlights include:

- Common sources of conflict in blended caregiving families

- Balancing loyalty, boundaries, and responsibility

- Tips for stepchildren, spouses, and siblings to work as a team

- Strategies for communication, planning, and managing expectations

- Tools to help families align around care goals

Helpful links from the episode:

- Website: https://www.pameladwilson.com

- Book: https://pameladwilson.com/caregiving-trap-book/

- Caring for Elderly Parents Online Program: https://pameladwilson.com/support-caring-for-elderly-parents-overwhelmed-caregiver-support-online-course/

- YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PamelaDWilsonCaregivingExpert

To learn more about this podcast and to subscribe to our caregiving newsletters, visit www.homeinstead.com/caregiverchats. Share your thoughts, experiences and ideas by emailing Dr. Lakelyn at caregiverchats@homeinsteadinc.com.

Like, subscribe, rate and review this podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

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Facebook: @homeinsteadinc

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In this listener-favorite episode, Dr. Lakelyn revisits a powerful conversation with Laurel Wittman, spousal caregiver and President of the Well Spouse Association. Together, they explore the deeply personal and often under-discussed experience of caring for a spouse or partner. Whether due to illness, disability, or chronic conditions, spousal caregiving brings its own set of emotional and relational challenges—from shifts in intimacy to feelings of guilt and isolation.

This episode offers validation, resources, and community for anyone walking this path—or supporting someone who is.

Episode highlights include:

- Who spousal caregivers are and how common they are

- Key differences between spousal and other types of caregiving

- How isolation and role shifts impact relationships

- The emotional rollercoaster of caregiving for a partner

- Resources and support from the Well Spouse Association

Helpful links from the episode:

- Well Spouse Association: wellspouse.org

-Caregiving in the US 2025: caregivingintheus.org

- Home Instead Resources: homeinstead.com/care-resources

To learn more about this podcast and to subscribe to our caregiving newsletters, visit www.homeinstead.com/caregiverchats. Share your thoughts, experiences and ideas by emailing Dr. Lakelyn at caregiverchats@homeinsteadinc.com.

Like, subscribe, rate and review this podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow us on social media:

Facebook: @homeinsteadinc

Instagram: @homeinsteadinc

YouTube: @homeinsteadinc

TikTok: @homeinstead.inc

Dr. Lakelyn welcomes Jennifer FitzPatrick, gerontologist and author of Cruising Through Caregiving, to discuss one of the biggest decisions caregivers face: whether to move a loved one into their home. Drawing from her clinical background and decades of experience advising families, Jennifer unpacks the emotional, logistical, and relational factors behind this choice. This episode provides tools to help families pause, reflect, and plan—rather than react in the heat of a crisis.

Episode highlights include:

- Why families consider moving a loved one in—and how to avoid making the decision in crisis.

- Essential questions to ask before inviting a loved one to live with you.

- How guilt, promises, and cultural expectations can influence caregiver decisions.

- The emotional and logistical challenges of multigenerational living.

- What to do when the living situation isn’t working out.

- Tools to help families pause, reflect, and plan rather than react.

Helpful links from the episode:

- Jenerationshealth.com

- Book: Cruising Through Caregiving (Amazon)

- Visit www.homeinstead.com/care-resources to explore more caregiving resources

To learn more about this podcast and to subscribe to our caregiving newsletters, visit www.homeinstead.com/caregiverchats. Share your thoughts, experiences and ideas by emailing Dr. Lakelyn at caregiverchats@homeinsteadinc.com.

Like, subscribe, rate and review this podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow us on social media:

Facebook: @homeinsteadinc

Instagram: @homeinsteadinc

YouTube: @homeinsteadinc

TikTok: @homeinstead.inc