Barry Jacobs: AARP Caregiving Expert and Columnist Experts

AARP Caregiving Expert Barry J Jacobs

Barry J. Jacobs is a clinical psychologist, a family therapist and a member of AARP's Caregiving Advisory Panel. His passion for enhancing support for family caregivers led him to write or cowrite dozens of articles and several books on the subject, including and the forthcoming Love and Meaning at 50. He served as caregiver for his mother and stepfather, both of whom had dementia. Jacobs has appeared as a caregiving expert on Dr. Phil and given more than 600 presentations for family caregivers, community groups, and medical and mental health professionals. His areas of expertise include behavioral health integration, complex care management, enhancing family caregiver engagement and supports, team-based care, and provider wellness. A former magazine journalist, he helped put together the first edition of The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll.

Connect with Barry

Barry' s Latest Columns

Guilt and emotional withdrawal can make the grieving process even more difficult

Make a straightforward appeal for assistance with a loved one

Steps everyone can take to remain independent as long as possible

Strategies include staying calm during outbursts and balancing loyalty with limits

Regular exercise, respite breaks and connecting with others will help you in this challenging role

To make long-term caregiving sustainable, consider some boundaries

Employing strategies to help communicate may ease some worries

Take a break from the nonstop to-do list to pause and make an emotional connection

To lighten the caregiving load, make small, direct requests for assistance

Dial down the emotions and talk through big decisions together

Positive intentions to embrace in the year ahead

Prioritize connecting with a loved one over checking off items on the to-do list

Spending time outdoors can increase relaxation and decrease worry and depression

Channel dangerous impulses into physical therapy and other safer activities

More About Barry

Professional
Principal, Health Management Associates, Philadelphia Former director of behavioral sciences, Crozer-Keystone Family Medicine Residency Program Education Doctor of psychology, Widener University Bachelor of arts, Brown University Select books and publications Love and Meaning at 50, written with Julia L. Mayer, scheduled for publication in August 2020 , written with Julia L. Mayer, 2016 , 2006 More than 25 journal articles in publications such as Families, Systems & Health, Psychotherapy Networker, Aging Today and Hippocrates Awards Don Bloch Award for lifetime achievement, Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, 2016 Widener University Graduate Award for Excellence in Professional Psychology, 2009 Select associations and memberships Member, AARP Caregiving Advisory Panel National spokesman, American Heart Association Honorary board member, Well Spouse Association Member, American Psychological Association, American Society on Aging, Collaborative Family Healthcare Association Featured AARP Member Benefits See more Shopping & Groceries offers > See more Family Caregiving offers > See more Family Caregiving offers > See more Groceries offers > Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

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