Journalist, Activist Des Cooper on “The Long Goodbye” of Caring for Aging Parents

Cooper joins Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson to talk about her own experiences and the many others in similar situations.

desiree cooper smiles in front of a microphone

Desiree Cooper in the WDET studio in March 2019. Photo credit: Jake Neher/WDET.

Jake Neher/WDET

Who cares for us when we get older? It’s a question we all face, sometimes with great trepidation and uncertainty.

But it’s not just about what happens to us. It’s also about what happens to the caregivers who ensure we are OK.

Becoming that caregiver often happens without that person having any say in the matter. So often, that person is a woman. And even more often, that person is a woman of color.

Desiree Cooper is a journalist, activist, and longtime Detroiter. She’s also now a full time caregiver herself and has been writing about what that means for her and so many others. She joins Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson to talk about her own experiences and the people she has met along the way.

If you or others who may be caregiving need assistance, check out the following resources:

Click on the audio player above to hear that conversation.

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  • Detroit Today
    Dynamic and diverse voices. News, politics, community and the issues that define our region. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson, Detroit Today brings you fresh and perceptive views weekdays at 9 am and 7 pm.