{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"When Illness Changes Everything: Palliative Care, Grief & Emotional Support for Seniors & Caregivers | Annie Brashem, LCSW","description":"Every family will face the intersection of illness, aging, and grief \u2014 but almost no one prepares for the emotional weight that comes with it. In this episode of Spotlight, Athena Quinones sits down with Annie Brashem, LCSW, a board-certified palliative care social worker and private practice therapist who has spent over a decade walking alongside patients and families through some of life's most difficult seasons.   WHAT WE COVER: \u2192 Palliative care demystified: what it means to be board-certified and how it differs from regular therapy \u2192 Ambiguous loss: the specific grief experienced by dementia caregivers when a loved one is physically present but emotionally absent \u2192 Real vs. faux self-care: why bubble baths aren't enough and what caregivers actually need \u2192 The Sandwich Generation: navigating the emotional strain of simultaneously caring for children and aging parents \u2192 Old family dynamics and unresolved wounds that resurface as parents age \u2192 Dignity therapy: a structured approach to capturing a senior's legacy through recorded conversations \u2192 Therapy stigma in older adults and practical ways to address cost and access (including Medicare coverage) \u2192 How trauma-informed care transforms how professionals support seniors and their families   Whether you're a caregiver carrying more than you should, a senior facing a new diagnosis, or a professional who works with aging adults \u2014 this episode is your reminder that the emotional journey of aging is just as critical as the physical one.   ABOUT ANNIE BRASHEM, LCSW Annie Brashem is a licensed clinical social worker with national board certification in palliative care. She has worked in hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health, and skilled nursing facilities. She now provides psychotherapy exclusively to individuals and families impacted by illness, medical trauma, and grief. LinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/annie-brashem-lcsw-aphsw-c-2338b392\/ ABOUT SPOTLIGHT Spotlight is a podcast for families, seniors, and professionals navigating the aging journey. Hosted by Athena Quinones \u2014 Business Development Director and Senior Ambassador \u2014 each episode brings expert voices, real stories, and practical strategies to light the path ","author_name":"Spotlight - Shining a light on senior-centered services\u2014educating, empowering, and enhancing lives","author_url":"https:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/578740","html":"