We’ll share and reflect on the many forms of grief caregivers experience, such as mourning the life you had before caregiving and grieving the changes in the person you care for. We’ll explore how grief can show up in different ways, such as guilt, anxiety, helplessness, irritability, anger, or frustration, and create space for stories and experiences that help us cope with the ongoing losses of caregiving.

Few people plan to become caregivers. Because health changes are often unpredictable, the responsibilities of caregiving can arrive suddenly and impact many areas of life. In this session, we’ll discuss practical skills for navigating unanticipated responsibilities and strategies to bring balance when life shifts unexpectedly.

Caring deeply can sometimes lead to emotional strain. Too much empathy without boundaries can contribute to burnout and distress. This week, we’ll focus on managing expectations, your own, your loved one’s, and those of your wider circle of care, so that caregiving remains sustainable and supportive for everyone involved.

In caregiving, mindful self-compassion is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. When caregivers tend to their own well-being, they’re better able to manage stress and stay grounded in difficult moments. In our closing session, we’ll practice small, intentional self-compassion tools that can ripple outward, supporting resilience and mental health over time.