Authority Magazine Features Careforth SVP of Clinical Programs and Services, Katie Tardiff

Careforth SVP of Clinical Programs and Services Katie Tardiff spoke with Authority Magazine, known for its in-depth interviews with experts across business, pop culture, wellness, social impact, and tech. Katie is a recognized thought leader in the caregiving industry, both for her work at Careforth and her background as a gerontological nurse practitioner. In this Q&A, Katie shared her insights from her own caregiving experiences, why stress management is vital for caregivers, and how Careforth is expanding to support more caregivers than ever.

Caregiving Industry Q&A with Careforth SVP Katie Tardiff

“I like to say that caregiving is at my core and in many ways connects us to who we are as humans. While getting “here” has been my personal journey, Careforth has felt like home from the beginning because my experiences, both personal and professional, have connected me to our mission to serve caregivers along their own journeys. 

I have been caregiving most of my adult life. I chose a career in gerontological nursing and have cared for patients and their families in nursing facilities, the hospital, and their own homes. I also cared for my father who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia at the young age of 53. I felt and witnessed firsthand the incredible stress that experience had on my family. At the time, I was going through graduate school and starting my career and family; my mother was working full time. I wanted my career to reflect my passion to do more to support families and help keep care at home.

As we see with caregivers in Careforth’s programs, stress is rarely caused by one factor and is often a more complex web of causes and effects. With an aging population, more people are also finding themselves in the role of caregiver for family members, while still juggling work, finances, and their own health. Many aren’t prepared to take on this role and don’t have the support system they need, adding significant emotional and physical stress. 

So, while our basic needs may be met, the pace and pressures of modern life have created an environment where chronic stress is all too common. However, it’s important to note that although common, we also have more tools and support available to identify and work through stressors early – before they manifest into more chronic physical, mental, and emotional conditions.”

Read the full article in Authority Magazine here.