Mom died six years ago, KIRC has 200+ caregiving articles - It is time for me to move on
THANK YOU for the support and encouragement in this labor of love to educate, inform, and prepare others for the often insane, overwhelming, and emotional journey that is Family Caregiving
“Life is a journey. Trust the process and enjoy the ride as you go.” ~ Julia Yarbough
Hello KIRC fam~
You’ve likely heard it said the only thing constant is change.
The time has come for me to pivot and make what feels like a pretty big change in how and where my caregiving lived-experience insights are deployed.
Keeping It REAL Caregiving is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
After much thought and reviewing my five years of Keeping It REAL Caregiving content, I have made the decision to move on - evolve if you will.
Julia Yarbough/2026 - Salish Sea, Washington
I am stepping away from posting on a regular basis to instead concentrate on finally finishing the Family Caregiving Book I have been pushing myself to publish for quite some time.
This change will also allow for individual consulting roles and speaking opportunities which present themselves - reach out! I welcome working with individuals and agencies which are:
Forces for good
Forces for equity
Forces for protecting our environment - the land, air, water, plants, birds, and other species which share this world with us
Forces for mutual respect for fellow human beings
The KIRC story
I began this platform shortly after saying goodbye to my mother, Miss Nellie. She passed away in September 2020.
Having provided the heavy-duty, hands-on care for my mother both in our home, alongside professional staff, and then in her final months at a care facility, I thought my experiences could help others.
You see, despite having done everything I could ‘before’ my mother’s health began declining - preparing myself financially, logistically, and emotionally - the reality of day-to-day caregiving still kicked my butt!
As a professional journalist - one who spent a career covering news for my communities - informing, educating, providing resources - it seemed natural to begin educating others about this caregiving journey. I’ve always liked to say, ‘You don’t know what you don’t know.’
That is more true than you could possibly imagine when it comes to family caregiving.
Miss Nellie is somewhere ‘beyond’ - having recently celebrated a heavenly birthday. This year she would have turned 96 on July 2, 2026. Crazy, because her last celebration feels like just yesterday…
July 2, 2020/Northern California
On that day, I had scheduled a doctor’s appointment so I could ‘break her out’ of the facility (it was during Covid so you needed a reason to go out and about).
After the Dr.’s visit, we stopped at McDonald’s (her favorite), had cheesecake for dessert, and enjoyed our picnic in the air-conditioned car sitting in a park.
I had recruited family and friends near and far to record a b-day message for her. When I played that video, tears welled up in her eyes. Somehow it was if we all just KNEW this would be her final b-day celebration.
She cried. I cried. My husband cried. In those moments, I sensed that she was happy. There are ZERO regrets for going the extra mile to make this moment happen.
Moving on
I am finally giving myself permission to let go of the constant and emotionally heavy weight of caregiving. I have been writing about the journey, and doing so helped me process my loss, grief, and anger.
Caregiving is such a unique experience for each individual and family. One size does NOT fit all.
Passing the Baton
There are many new voices sharing lived-experiences and expertise in the caregiving space. I am excited to point you to and encourage you to follow:
Adrian Chung/Caregiving, Practically Speaking Kirsten Mau/Who Gets the China?
Adrian Chung of Caregiving, Practically Speaking. It is wonderful to have a male voice in the mix of the caregiving space. Adrian is thoughtful, loves his mother with a passion that flows through his words, and offers useful and practical thoughts on navigating health care for a loved one. FOLLOW HIM NOW!
Kirsten Mau of Who Get the China?Kirsten has created a powerful platform to provide guidance, information, and a soft place to land when you feel as if you might be the only one dealing with the unique nuances of family caregiving. With a Substack and a Podcast - she is creating valuable content. FOLLOW HER NOW!
I’ll be diving into finishing ‘the book’ and will share details once it is finished, published, and how you can get a copy!
I’m also putting the finishing touches on a short, digital ‘handbook’ of critical steps every family should take to prepare for caregiving.
KIRC Substack content will remain here and I’ll share new posts once in a while.
Thank you to those of you who have supported this effort and a SPECIAL THANKS to the handful who offered financial support to the newsletter - it means the world!
STAY STRONG - BE KIND TO EACH OTHER
To all the caregivers out there - it sounds cliche but do what you can to take care of yourself. And remember:
You ‘get’ to care for your loved one - not ‘have to’ care for your loved one. Once they are gone, they are gone, so focus as much as you can on the moments you have together. You will be glad you did!
Julia
Julia Yarbough - Keeping It REAL Caregiving/Communications Consultant
A multiple Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, Julia Yarbough has more than 25 years experience anchoring, reporting, and producing. Having served as a family caregiver to her aging and now deceased mother, Julia is passionate about raising awareness and educating others to the realities facing family caregivers and advocating for improved services.
She created the KeepingItREALCaregiving.substack.com newsletter and platform, serves as an AARP Washington State Volunteer, and is an outspoken advocate for family caregivers. She is dedicated to identifying issues and causes which overlap with how CARE intersects with education, awareness, and stewardship of the environment, public spaces, and species protections.
Julia is the recipient of numerous awards, including twice the prestigious ’N.A.T.A.S.’ Emmy.The American Society on Aging selected Julia to join the 2022 ASA Rise Cohort training program. Julia has served as a Regional Advocate for the California Coalition on Family Caregiving, and as a member of the Equity in Aging and Disability Advisory Committee with the California Department of Aging; Master Plan for Aging. The Gerontological Society of America selected Julia as a 2020 Journalists in Aging Fellow. She currently serves as Volunteer Media Ambassador for Friends of the San Juans.
Seeking a speaker or presenter for your next event? For media inquiries, hosting/speaking and booking information contact: julia.yarbough@gmail.com
Keeping It REAL Caregiving is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Beloved Julia, as someone who was privileged to know and feel loved by beloved Miss Nellie, I can say without a shadow of doubt that she couldn’t be more proud of you! You have always been an EXTRAORDINARY person - brilliant, loving, caring, adventurous and oh so generous. But you took all those qualities to the highest heights in how you took care of your Mom. I can’t even. My heart is full just thinking about it, and what it must have meant to her. Go on to your next adventure with your inimitable verve. We know you’ll succeed because - success is our birthright and you’ve proven it many times over. We love you. Bless you!
Congrats on all you have done. I very much understand the desire to move on, to move to a new headspace. I did three seasons of a podcast about my caregiving for my dad - and that was enough. There was always more to tell but I felt like I had been drowning in sadness for too long, and it was ok to step away. Fair skies to you!
Beloved Julia, as someone who was privileged to know and feel loved by beloved Miss Nellie, I can say without a shadow of doubt that she couldn’t be more proud of you! You have always been an EXTRAORDINARY person - brilliant, loving, caring, adventurous and oh so generous. But you took all those qualities to the highest heights in how you took care of your Mom. I can’t even. My heart is full just thinking about it, and what it must have meant to her. Go on to your next adventure with your inimitable verve. We know you’ll succeed because - success is our birthright and you’ve proven it many times over. We love you. Bless you!
Congrats on all you have done. I very much understand the desire to move on, to move to a new headspace. I did three seasons of a podcast about my caregiving for my dad - and that was enough. There was always more to tell but I felt like I had been drowning in sadness for too long, and it was ok to step away. Fair skies to you!