Every day, millions of family caregivers lose sleep, jobs and relationships as they slog it out alone and in isolation, navigating a complex medical system on behalf of ill or aging family members and friends.  The backbone of America’s health care system, this hidden workforce is often framed in the media in terms of mind-numbing statistics.  Who are the people behind the numbers?  How do they cope? And at what cost to their own lives?

Author and perennial caregiver Jana Panarites goes beyond the statistics to share the inspiring, wrenching and at times funny stories of  these unsung heroes – people caring for family members, friends and relatives amid the demands of their own lives.  Jana also engages with professionals in the field of aging, and writers, performers and artists who are using media to creatively address major health issues, foster dialogue and challenge widespread assumptions about aging.

Tune in for entertaining stories from the field of caregiving and beyond. Use our search feature at the top of this page to find episodes where guests talk about issues of specific interest to you.

Laugh, cry, share and know you’re not alone.