80: What Matters Most at the End of Life with Dr. Julie Masters

<p>Dr. Lakelyn welcomes gerontologist Dr. Julie Masters for a thoughtful conversation about what it means to be there for someone we love at the end of life. Together, they explore why accepting death can be especially difficult for family caregivers, including how the loss of a loved one can also bring changes to a caregiver&#39;s identity and sense of purpose.</p><p>They also discuss life review, meaning and connection, including ways families can create meaningful moments with loved ones experiencing memory changes. Dr. Masters shares perspective on how caregiving may shift at the end of life, from doing and fixing to simply being present, and how families can navigate letting go and saying goodbye.</p><p><br></p><p>05:03 Why society fears death</p><p>12:03 Hidden meaning inside hospice</p><p>15:02 Identity shifts in caregiving</p><p>20:46 4 phrases to say first</p><p>25:31 Waiting to pass alone</p><p>33:24 Processing relief after loss</p><p>37:34 Dementia and the end of life experience</p><p>46:33 Proof you&#39;ve done enough</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Episode highlights include:</strong></p><p>- Why accepting death can be especially difficult for family caregivers</p><p>- How caregiving shapes our identity and what happens when that role begins to change</p><p>- Using life review to create meaning and connection, including for people experiencing memory changes</p><p>- Understanding the emotional changes that can come as a loved one approaches the end of life</p><p>- Redefining caregiving through presence, letting go and saying goodbye</p><p><strong>Helpful links from the episode:</strong></p><p>- Caregiver Chats Ep. 42: “Hospice and End-of-Life with Jules Stracquadanio”:</p><p>- Apple: <a href="http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caregiver-chats/id1684948365" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caregiver-chats/id1684948365</a></p><p>- Spotify: <a href="http://open.spotify.com/episode/3csmFRxvRSmhnT0JropmdG" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">open.spotify.com/episode/3csmFRxvRSmhnT0JropmdG</a></p><p>- YouTube: <a href="http://youtu.be/UI0o0VZDGdc" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">youtu.be/UI0o0VZDGdc</a></p><p>- Caregiver Chats Ep. 53, “Let’s Talk About Death with Lisa of Death Deck”:</p><p>- Apple: <a href="http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caregiver-chats/id1684948365" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caregiver-chats/id1684948365</a></p><p>-