Delia Chiaramonte, MD
You don't have to lose yourself while caring for someone you love
Practical help for the emotional and logistical realities of caregiving
Serious illness changes everything.
And often you're the one trying to hold it all together.
You’re sorting through medical information, making high-stakes decisions, navigating family dynamics, dealing with your loved one's physical limitations, and missing the life you had before.
You're carrying a heavy weight. And you probably have less support than you need.
No one trains you for this.
You don't have to struggle this much.
And you don't have to do it alone.
Caregiving is hard
You love the person you're caring for. But somewhere along the way, you've started to lose yourself.
You may feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or unsure of what to do next. You might feel guilty when you rest and resentful when you don't. You may wonder whether you're doing enough, even though you're already doing so much.
I'm Dr. Delia Chiaramonte. I’ve been a physician for more than 30 years, and I've seen how quickly life can change when someone you love gets sick. I've seen families come together, and I've seen illness strain relationships, expose old wounds, and leave one person carrying much more than their share.
Caregivers tell me:
"I feel guilty every time I take a break."
"I get angry at them, and then I feel terrible about it."
"I don't recognize myself anymore."
"I can't keep going like this, but I don't see another option."
"No one understands what this is really like."
If any of that sounds familiar, here's what I want you to know.
You're not failing.
You're not selfish.
You're not a bad caregiver.
You're just a human being trying to do something extremely difficult.
And you deserve support too.
Looking for ongoing support?
THE INTEGRATIVE PALLIATIVE PODCAST
The Integrative Palliative Podcast is enjoyed by both caregivers and clinicians.
The show offers authentic conversations, clarity, tools, and relief for people navigating a loved one's serious illness. Palliative care clinicians, physicians, nurses, NPs, PAs, death doulas, chaplains, therapists, and social workers will also find valuable information to help them care for families facing illness.
Click below to listen to the podcast. If you like what you find there, please subscribe and share it with a friend, a colleague, and your loved one's healthcare providers.
Want to go deeper?
COPING COURAGEOUSLY
Engaging Stories
Each chapter begins with a story, many drawn from my years in clinical practice. Through these patients and families, you’ll see how serious illness unfolds in real life. You'll get a glimpse into the decisions, the missteps, and the turning points. I also share stories from my own family because I've been there too. I understand what it's like to love someone who isn't well.
Practical Strategies
Coping Courageously is practical. It offers concrete tools to help you think through difficult decisions, manage the challenges of caregiving, navigate family dynamics, and approach caregiving as your best self.
Humor
Serious illness is heavy. The book doesn’t pretend otherwise. But it also doesn’t treat you like you can’t handle the truth. There’s room here for candor, dark humor, and the occasional irreverent comment. Because sometimes that’s what keeps us sane.
Prefer to listen? Coping Courageously is also available on Audible.
A Guide for People Who Love Someone With A Serious Illness
7 answers and 3 questions for when caregiving feels hard