Making the Hardest Call: Moving a Parent into Long-Term Care — with Cheryl Hickey

When Cheryl Hickey’s father was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, her family was thrown into a world they were not prepared for.In this candid conversation, Cheryl shares the emotional and practical realities of caregiving for an aging parent navigating dementia and Parkinson’s disease, including the difficult decision to move him into long-term care. She reflects on caregiver guilt, burnout, and the quiet strength required to keep going, all while balancing the demands so many in the sandwich generation face as they support both aging parents and their own families.We also explore the broader challenges facing families today: why aging in place can feel out of reach, why long-term care systems remain stretched, and how we can better support caregivers across the country. It’s a powerful reminder that caregiving is both exhausting and deeply rooted in love, and that better support for the sandwich generation is urgently needed.__This episode of The Hart of It All is brought to you by Capital Direct. The Capital Direct Flexi Line™ turns your home equity into flexible support, so you can arrange the care your family deserves now and pay it back when the time is right.Please visit: https://www.capitaldirect.ca/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=hart-of-it-allBC AN #101742 | Ontario Mortgage Broker Licence #10549 | Admin Licence #11408 | Alberta MW-9811291 | Nova Scotia 10769862*Best 10 Year Return in the Mortgage Funds Category as at June 30, 2025.Resources: Cityline: Why Cheryl Hickey is advocating for higher standards in senior carehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu5U_et9yesFollow Cheryl Hickey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylhickey/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cherylhickeyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CherylHickeyETCanada/To watch this episode, subscribe to The Hart Of It All's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHartofitAllPodFollow The Hart Of It All: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehartofitallpod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehartofitallpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehartofitallpodFollow Teri Hart:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terihartCo-Executive Produced by: Carrie Hayden & Jess Carroll of 6of1 DigitalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/6of1digitalI’m here to share stories and conversations, not medical or professional advice. I’m not a doctor, therapist, or licensed professional, and this podcast is NOT a substitute for guidance from qualified experts. Please seek out professional support when you need it. Take care and I’ll see you in the next episode.- 🟡 About The Hart of it AllA podcast about navigating the realities of caregiving.No one should have to do it alone. That’s the heart behind The Hart of It All, hosted by Canadian broadcaster Teri Hart. Inspired by her own experience caring for her dad and helping her mom navigate a new reality, Teri shines a light on the stories, resources, and conversations caregivers need most.From doctors and nutritionists to fellow caregivers living it every day, each episode offers guidance and connection. Honest, supportive, and grounded in lived experience, The Hart of It All is here to remind us that caring for each other is something we’re all in together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.