Echoes of the Archipelago

Caring for Our Parents: Dementia, Family Duty, and Indo Values

The Indo Project Season 3 Episode 7

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0:00 | 58:21

Welcome back to Echoes of the Archipelago, the podcast from The Indo Project exploring stories of Indo heritage, identity, memory, and lived experience across generations.

In this deeply personal episode, host Jeff Keasberry speaks with Carolyn Hogenraad about caring for aging parents and navigating the emotional realities of dementia within an Indo-American family.

Carolyn shares her decision to take care of her parents in their home and care for her mother through dementia, reflecting on the challenges, sacrifices, cultural expectations, and moments of connection that shaped the experience.

Together, they discuss:

  • Indo family values surrounding caregiving and responsibility
  • The emotional and practical realities of dementia care
  • Home care versus professional care in the United States
  • Intergenerational expectations within Indo families
  • Preserving dignity, memory, and legacy
  • The impact caregiving has on family dynamics and personal identity

This episode is an honest and compassionate conversation about love, duty, resilience, and the quiet strength often found within Indo families.

If this conversation touched you, or if you are currently navigating caregiving for a loved one, we’ve gathered a few resources that might help:

  • The Alzheimer’s Association: They offer 24/7 support and local caregiver groups across the U.S. and California.
  • Cultural Connection: For those interested in the models we discussed, you can look into the work being done at Nusantara in Bussum to see how culturally-aligned care can truly make a difference.
  • Community: Reach out to your local Dutch or Indonesian community networks—sometimes the best support is found in those who understand the unspoken traditions of our heritage.

Hosted by Jeff Keasberry Guest: Carolyn Hogenraad Produced by The Indo Project.

For more stories, articles, and podcasts exploring Indo heritage and culture, visit theindoproject.org.

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