Caregiving and Isolation with Alycia Martel - Episode 4

In this podcast, Diane Carbo and Alicia Martel discuss caregiver isolation and loneliness, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Caregivers often experience social isolation over time as friends and family slowly drop back from involvement, but the pandemic caused a sudden retreat to homes and physical isolation. This has led to increased stress, depression, and mental illness. The rates of suicide and people seeking treatment have also skyrocketed. Alicia Martel, who has been a caregiver for 14 years, explains that self-care is essential, including the social component. It is difficult to take care of someone else when you are not taking care of yourself.