#28: Caregiver Fatigue: Taking Care of Aging Parents While Raising Kids

Many millennial moms are going through something that past generations never had to do:Raise young children while also caring for aging parents.It’s overwhelming, emotional, and (somehow) completely unexpected.In this episode of The Next Phase Podcast, Stacey Hutson sits down with elder care clinician Debra Kooser to talk about what really happens when the roles begin to reverse—and why so many women feel unprepared for this stage.Together, they explore:what it looks like when aging parents begin to need more supportthe emotional impact of role reversal between parent and childwhy so many families wait until a crisis to make decisionsand the very real toll of caregiver fatigue and burnoutDebra explains why caregiver fatigue is more than just stress—it’s a serious, often unrecognized experience that affects both mental and physical health.This conversation also highlights something many women don’t expect:The guilt, emotional exhaustion, and mental load that comes with trying to balance it all.For listeners who are starting to notice changes in their parents—or already feel overwhelmed by the responsibility—this episode offers both validation and a starting point.About Debra: Debra Kooser has a Masters Degree in counseling with over 30 years in healthcare, the last 18 years in hospice as a Medical Social Worker and Bereavement Coodinator.  Additionally, she has worked as a Geriatric Care Manager for an estate planning lawfirm. She has a specialty in consulting with adult children navigating their aging parents needs. She coordinates senior living placement from a clinical perspective, as well as offering ongoing case management for busy adult children/relatives who benefit from support and oversight for their family members.Resources & Next Steps:Debra Kooser helps families navigate caregiver fatigue, planning, and next steps.You can reach her here: [email protected] to Colorado? Stacey is speaking at the Golden Women in Business Founder’s Day event next week—an evening celebrating women making real impact in the community. Join us in Golden on April 29th: 🔗 https://www.goldenwomeninbusiness.com/upcoming-events/founders-day-2026