Watching a parent fade away due to Alzheimer’s is heartbreaking, confusing, and deeply exhausting.
In this episode, grief and trauma specialist Jill McMahon joins me to talk about the emotional and neurological cost of caregiving and how to cope with the loss of a loved one — even while they’re still alive. You’ll learn powerful strategies to process your emotions, reduce stress, protect your brain health, and reclaim a bit of peace.
🔍 What to Listen For:
- [04:50] The difference between traditional grief and anticipatory grief — and why both are valid.
- [07:40] Why it's normal to feel anger, shame, and exhaustion while caregiving — and how to work through it.
- [10:30] The “emotional trash can” metaphor every caregiver needs to hear.
- [17:55] Understanding allostatic load and why caregiving accelerates cognitive decline risk.
- [20:54] Why nature is better than antidepressants and how to support your nervous system.
- [26:30] Jill breaks down the hormonal cascade: chronic stress → high cortisol → brain fog, poor sleep, and increased Alzheimer’s risk.
- [29:00] Concrete tips to lower your emotional and neurological stress load — including ways to support your nervous system starting today.
- [34:30] How do you know when you’re burning out? Listen for these subtle (and not-so-subtle) red flags that most caregivers ignore — until it’s too late
- [41:00] What’s the first thing to do when you're emotionally maxed out? Jill offers practical steps to stop the spiral of shame, self-judgment, and exhaustion.
- [43:50] Why simply naming what you're feeling helps calm the nervous system — and how journaling or talking to a trusted friend can be deeply therapeutic.
- [48:30] Jill shares her favorite ways to regulate the nervous system daily — from breathwork and walking to setting firm emotional boundaries.
- [56:30] Final call to action: why you need a grief support system — and how to find your emotional “dumping grounds” before the metaphorical trash can spills over.
This heartfelt conversation with Jill McMahon is one every caregiver needs to hear. Whether your loved one is currently living with Alzheimer’s or has passed on, your grief is valid — and there are ways to cope that support your mental, emotional, and brain health.
🎧 Tune in now — and don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Jill on Instagram.
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