The "Erin Brockovich" of Caregiving: A Conversation with Christina Keys
EnhDme Feature ❖ Leaders in Care
Christina Keys went from a high-powered tech career to a full-time caregiver in a single afternoon. After facing total physical and financial bankruptcy, she chose to turn her “mess into a message.”
At EnhDme, we believe that caregiving is one of the most profound expressions of human connection. However, we also know that it is one of the most demanding. Today, we are honored to introduce you to Christina Keys.
Why the “Erin Brockovich” of Caregiving? Just as Erin Brockovich was an “outsider” who took on a massive utility company to protect families, Christina is a “layperson” who took on the American healthcare system. She didn’t start as a policy expert; she became one because she had to. Like Brockovich, she uses radical candor, unfiltered truth, and warrior-like tenacity to demand that caregivers be seen, heard, and valued by lawmakers and corporations alike.
Through her organization, Keys for Caregiving, she has become a national advocate, a speaker, and a lifeline for thousands — a woman who turned her personal mess into a message, ensuring that no one else has to walk the path of caregiving alone, unsupported, or broken.
Part 1: The Turning Point
The transition from “independent professional” to “family caregiver” rarely happens slowly. For Christina, that moment was March 16, 2013.
Looking back at March 16, 2013, what is one thing you wish you could tell that “Day 1” version of yourself?
“First of all, that mom was going to live. I honestly didn’t know if I was going to walk out of there with my mother or having to make funeral arrangements for her. That it’s going to be really hard but it’s going to be worth it — but you’re gonna need to remember to breathe and ask for and accept help.”
You reached a point of total bankruptcy — physically and emotionally. What was the exact moment that shifted you from “making death arrangements” to “choosing to live”?
“Three years in I had to leave my 20-year career because the demands of being mom’s caregiver just didn’t work with a 9-5 corporate job. I went to my last doctor’s appointment and they said your body is literally shutting down from the stress of caregiving. You have maybe 6 months to live. My first thought was ‘OK, my body and God are making the choice — I did the best I can, now I get to rest.’ Then I thought: this will not be how my story ends. So I made the choice to save my own life while I was caring for my mom. 30% of family caregivers pass before the person they are caring for and I didn’t want to be part of those statistics.”
Part 2: The Mission of Advocacy
You’ve built over 60 support communities. What is the #1 “missing link” most family caregivers are desperate for when they first find you?
“They all say the same thing: there aren’t any resources in my area. They are desperate for LOCAL support, resources, and community. A great place for anyone to start is their local Area Agency on Aging and also they can call the Caregiver Action Network Hotline at (855) 227-3640.”
How can the average person better support a caregiver in their own life right now?
- Ask how THEY are doing — “Usually everyone asks how the person we are caring for is doing first.”
- Offer to help run errands — “Help them find a resource they need, clean, garden, and maybe if you’re comfortable with it, sit with the person they care for so they can take a break.”
- Drop off something that makes them smile — “A meal, their favorite drink, a gift card, flowers, a picture of Jason Momoa — anything that will make them smile.”
Part 3: Dignity in the Details
How did you manage to keep your own sense of “self” and dignity alive while caring for your mother for 10 years?
“I’ve been sober for 30 years so continuing to go to recovery meetings and connecting with that community was very important. It was vital for me to keep up with my spiritual practices, like prayer, meditation, and journaling. Although I was at my mom’s all the time, it was very important to live in my own space and go home in between care. I also was part of caregiver support groups where I could not feel so isolated and alone.”
For the caregiver reading this who feels like they are currently “shutting down” from the stress — what is your first piece of advice?
- Take a deep breath, drop your shoulders when you breathe out.
- ASK FOR HELP and accept it even if it’s something small.
- Redefine your normal. Break self-care into 30-second, 5-minute, 15-minute chunks. Self-care can be taking an extra minute when you’re checking the mail to take 3 deep breaths. It can be walking a lap around the nurses’ station during a hospital visit. It can be crying in your car or the shower. It can be a small simple prayer.
- If you have access to therapy, a mentor, or any type of counseling, try to make that a priority.
“30% of family caregivers pass before the person they are caring for. I didn’t want to be part of those statistics.”
Connect With Christina Keys
- Website: christinakeys.com
- LinkedIn: Christina Keys
- YouTube: Keys For Caregiving Community
- TikTok: @keysforcaregiving
- Instagram: @keysforcaregiving
- Facebook: Keys For Caregiving & Christina Keys
We Want to Hear Your Story
Are you a medical professional or a family caregiver with a story to tell? Help us shine a light on the grit and grace of caregiving.
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Note: This story is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding medical conditions.