Building Better Caregiver Relationships

When a paid caregiver steps in, family dynamics shift, and so can emotions. How can families and professionals work together as a unified team? In this episode, caregiving advocates Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster share lessons from their personal journeys and nonprofit work on how to build healthier, more collaborative caregiving relationships.

Whether you're a family member who's used to doing it all, or a professional stepping into a new home, this episode offers insights on setting expectations, sharing responsibility, and showing up with mutual respect.

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What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to shift from an "us vs. them" mindset to a care team collaboration
• Why communication preferences and documentation matter more than ever
• Tips for transitioning out of micromanaging and into trust-building
• How to process grief and guilt in a way that empowers self-care

Additional resources:

• TheCaregiversJourney.org
• Our Journey of Love by Sue Ryan
• The Heart of ComForCare: One Caregiver's Dedication to Relationships in Care 

Featured Guests

Sue Ryan is a seasoned leadership coach and caregiver advocate who brings firsthand insight as both a former family caregiver and professional coach. She's the author of Our Journey of Love, and the creator of an award-winning caregiving course. Sue co-founded the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey, where she helps families and paid caregivers foster collaborative partnerships and build trust through intentional communication and shared planning.

Nancy Treaster draws from her personal experience of welcoming professional caregivers into her own home. As co‑founder of The Caregiver's Journey, she champions support and practical guidance for family caregivers navigating complex emotions and dynamics. Nancy focuses on self-care advocacy, helping caregivers break through guilt and burnout to build sustainable care routines and community connections.

Episode Transcript 
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About the Host

Tiffany Robinson is a passionate advocate for caregiver education. As the host of ComForConnections, she brings warmth, insight, and a deep understanding of the caregiving experience to every episode.