EPISODE 45
February 12, 2025
the secret life of caregivers with alexandra drane
An incredible 43% of Americans are unpaid caregivers, who are often alone with the burden and blessing of caring for their loved ones as life begins and in the complex and heartbreaking final days. Studies show their mental health is suffering – 52% of “sandwich generation” caregivers report that they have actively thought about suicide in the last 30 days. Alexandra Drane, CEO of ARCHANGELS, joins us to talk about the urgent need for culture and policy change to see, honor and support unpaid caregivers.
We discuss:The huge and mostly unseen toll of unpaid caregivingEngage With Grace, the national movement Alexandra launched to talk about deathWhether “hospital at home” is a boon or a curse for family caregivers
Alexandra reminds us to reach out to caregivers in our lives:
“And most importantly, unpaid caregivers are drowning, right? Don't wait for them to ask for help .. Don't say, “How can I help you”? Because they're too tired. Oh, well, just freaking help fill their fridge, mow their lawns, sit with their mom, whatever it takes.”
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RELEVANT LINKS
Read more about Alexandra’s’s venture ARCHANGELS
See data on caregivers from The COPE Initiative
Learn more about the movement Alexandra founded called “Engage With Grace”
See information on the Care Badge
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Alexandra Drane is co-founder and CEO of ARCHANGELS, a national movement and a platform that is reframing how caregivers are seen, honored, and supported using a combination of data and stories, through public and private partnerships. She co-founded Eliza Corporation (acquired by HMS Holdings Corp: HMSY), Engage with Grace, and three other companies (all boot-strapped). A serial entrepreneur, she is also a cashier-on-leave for Walmart. She believes communities are the frontline of health, that caregivers are our country’s greatest asset, and that we need to expand the definition of health to include life. She has one hobby outside of her passion for revolutionizing health care, and her love of family and adventure…car racing.
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