Transplant Talk: Caregiver Skills: Basics and Beyond

Whether this is your first time stepping into a caregiver role, or you have decades of experience under your belt, you will have something to gain from viewing our this Transplant Talk. 

With the expert guidance of our three Caregiver panelists, we will explore questions such as: What might my specific caregiving tasks include?  How can I empower my loved one to maintain their independence and autonomy while I am providing care for them?  How do I balance taking care of myself with taking care of another?  And how will caregiving and care-receiving impact our relationship over the long haul?  Our three panelists have a lifetime of diverse experience with this topic. Although the focus will is on caregiver experiences, all are welcomed and encouraged to view.  

Meet our Panel:

Kathy, a previous Human Resources Professional, retired early to be the caregiver for her 57 year old husband who had end stage Cystic Fibrosis, and ultimately received a Double Lung Transplant in 2019. Her “learned caregiver skills” have more recently been used to support their aging mothers.

Bonnie, a former professor of Public Health Sciences, knows the lung transplant process inside and out.  She had a single lung transplant in 2017. Before that, she provided care for her husband, who had a double lung transplant in 2003.    

Bill, a 74 year old retired Customer Service Sales Executive, was a co-caregiver along with his son-in-law for his 40 year old daughter’s bilateral lung transplant in 2019. He was no stranger to the organ donation process as his 13 year old son was a multi organ donor in 1996. He says that his son’s donation and daughter’s transplant feels like the full circle of life. It also represents both the tragedy and joy of the Transplant process.