An incredible 43% of Americans are unpaid caregivers, who are often alone with the burden and blessing of caring for their loved ones as life begins and in the complex and heartbreaking final days. Studies show their mental health is suffering – 52% of “sandwich generation” caregivers report that they have actively thought about suicide in the last 30 days. Alexandra Drane, CEO of ARCHANGELS, joins us to talk about the urgent need for culture and policy change to see, honor and support unpaid caregivers.

We discuss:

• The huge and mostly unseen toll of unpaid caregiving
• Engage With Grace, the national movement Alex launched to talk about death
• Whether “hospital at home” is a boon or a curse for family caregivers

Alex reminds us to reach out to caregivers in our lives:

“And most importantly, unpaid caregivers are drowning, right? Don't wait for them to ask for help .. Don't say, “How can I help you”? Because they're too tired. Oh, well, just freaking help fill their fridge, mow their lawns, sit with their mom, whatever it takes.”

Relevant Links

Read more about Alex’s venture ARCHANGELS

See data on caregivers from The COPE Initiative

Learn more about the movement Alex founded called “Engage With Grace”

See information on the Care Badge

About Our Guest

Alexandra Drane is co-founder and CEO of ARCHANGELS, a national movement and a platform that is reframing how caregivers are seen, honored, and supported using a combination of data and stories, through public and private partnerships. She co-founded Eliza Corporation (acquired by HMS Holdings Corp: HMSY), Engage with Grace, and three other companies (all boot-strapped). A serial entrepreneur, she is also a cashier-on-leave for Walmart. She believes communities are the frontline of health, that caregivers are our country’s greatest asset, and that we need to expand the definition of health to include life. She has one hobby outside of her passion for revolutionizing health care, and her love of family and adventure…car racing.

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