Heart of the Home Series

Misty is a CPA, a business owner, and the caregiver for a mother she was never close to. In this Heart of the Home feature, the creator of The Alzheimer’s Chronicles talks about guilt, memory care, unexpected laughs, and the money decisions families need to make before a crisis hits.

I was scrolling through TikTok when a video stopped me in my tracks — a family gathered around their grandmother, paint on her arms, and one by one, every hug she gave left its mark on their shirts. A memory they'll keep forever. That family is rich in love, and I had to know their story. This is Dr. Ivy Johnson, known online as Dr. Ivy Cares — a daughter turned caregiver, part of the sandwich generation, who now helps other overwhelmed women feel less alone.

Sarah Harris is a nurse, mom of three, and family caregiver who spent nearly four years caring for her husband's grandmother, Baba, through dementia — all while raising a newborn with complex medical needs. In this month's Heart of the Home Series interview, she opens up about burnout, boundaries, connection, and finding joy in the small moments.

Tina Coonrod-Neal has spent over 30 years in healthcare — but nothing prepared her for becoming the full-time caregiver to her husband Joe after his stroke, all while living with MS herself. In this Heart of the Home interview, Tina shares how she balances her own health with Joe's care, why she started Redbird Grit & Grace, and what she wants every overwhelmed caregiver to know.

Dugan Meredith never planned to become a caregiver — but when his mother-in-law was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, he surrendered control, found his purpose, and built a nonprofit to support families walking the same road. This is his story, in his own words.

Rachel Austin became a caregiver at 16 when her mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Over 18 years, she discovered that laughter wasn't a distraction from serious illness — it was one of the most powerful tools a caregiving home has. Actor, writer, and founder of the Love Labor Project, Rachel shares how comedy carried her and her mom through, and what she learned about love, loss, and showing up.

Dr. Karolynn Echols is an Associate Professor and Section Chief of Urogynecology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital — and her mother's caregiver. As a "double-duty caregiver," she navigates the emotional and clinical realities of vascular dementia while holding down one of medicine's most demanding careers. This is her story.

A June tribute to the 20 million men quietly carrying the weight of caregiving. Five real caregivers — Leon, Carlos, Bryan, Michael, and Brent — share the one piece of advice they wish someone had handed them sooner. As Rosalynn Carter said, we will all be caregivers or need one. This one's for the guys who show up every day.

Kait and Tamrin Giordano are raising a toddler while caring for both of Kait's parents, who are living with dementia — all under one roof in Georgia. In this Heart of the Home Series interview, they share how they chose to build the family they wanted, how radical acceptance keeps them present, and what they hope their son carries forward from a life where first words and forgotten words collide.