Experts advise caregivers to pause before speaking during tense moments

Stress can quickly turn caring conversations into arguments.

A recent episode of the program Aging Untold provided strategies for caregivers who feel their patience wearing thin.

The episode focused on how to reset interactions when exhaustion takes a toll.

Sam Cradduck, a gerontologist, recommended leaving the room as the first step when a conversation feels like it is about to escalate.

He said stepping away allows the caregiver to calm down before returning.

Amy O'Rourke, an aging expert, warned that specific words can make a conversation worse.

She listed no, you, always, never, don't, and you can't as terms that often trigger escalation.

O'Rourke advised caregivers to choose their words carefully to avoid these reactions.

The program also examined gout, a condition that is both common and painful.

Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, described the typical symptom as a red and throbbing big toe.

Rogers explained that the condition begins when uric acid builds up in the blood.

Crystals form in the joints and other tissues in response to this buildup, she said. The immune system then treats these crystals as foreign objects, which causes the pain. Rogers noted that uric acid buildup can sometimes indicate a larger health issue. The episode shifted focus to bereavement care for families who have lost a baby. Labor and delivery nurses in St. Louis created a nonprofit to support these families. The nurses developed this group after experiencing the emotional toll of caring for mothers who suffered a loss. Kayla Hollingshead stated that while most diagnoses have a standard of care, no real standard existed for unexpected infant loss. The group created a new standard that includes guidance on how office staff should speak to families. They also assemble comfort kits containing books, cards, and self-care items. These kits are mailed to families around the world. The final segment of the episode featured the Old Dominion Model A Ford Club. Stew Wolfe, the club's vice president, discussed keeping the historic vehicles running. Ford produced the Model A between 1927 and 1931. The company manufactured roughly 5 million of these cars during that period. Only a fraction of those vehicles remain today, though car clubs work to preserve them. Wolfe said the cars generate a lot of smiles per mile. He noted that people get excited when they see the vehicles. He added that kids are ecstatic when the drivers blow the ahooga horn.