Our Fear of Being a Burden

with Michael Hughes & Rev. Beth Long-Higgins,

Podcast Hosts, United Church Homes

This week on the Art of Aging, hosts Michael Hughes and Rev. Beth Long-Higgins introduced a special series of shows leading up to the 2024 Annual Abundant Aging Symposium in October presented by United Church Homes. In this episode, Mike and Beth delve into the fear of being a burden as people age. They explore the emotional complexities of dependency, sharing personal anecdotes and emphasizing the importance of reframing asking for help as an opportunity for connection. Beth highlights the guilt often associated with needing assistance and stresses the value of gratitude and acknowledgment in caregiving relationships. The episode also encourages listeners to view dependency as a chance to strengthen bonds, setting the stage for deeper discussions at an upcoming United Church Homes symposium in October.
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Notes:

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

  • Introduction to the Topic for Today’s Episode (0:07)
  • Annual Symposium Announcement (0:46)
  • Discussion on Burden Perception (1:09)
  • Personal Anecdote on Caregiving (2:20)
  • Guilt in Asking for Help (4:03)
  • Reframing Dependency (4:55)
  • Acknowledgment of Support (6:13)
  • Complexity of Relationships (7:26)
  • Balancing Needs in Relationships (8:36)
  • Closing Remarks and Call to Action (9:35)

 

Join Us at the Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging’s Annual Symposium: Meaning, Purpose, & Redefining Retirement on October 4, 2024. 

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com. 

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