Tips for Caregivers
Finding out a loved one has cancer can be overwhelming. Cancer affects not only the person diagnosed but all those who care about that person. You may be wondering, “What should I do now?” or “How can I help?”
At Cancer Support Community, we believe you have the ability to make a difference. The following ten tips are intended to help you tackle the challenges of caring about someone with cancer.Here you will find information and resources for caregivers, those who provide emotional, spiritual, financial or logistical support to a person diagnosed with cancer.
1) Find YOUR Support System
When a friend or loved one is diagnosed with cancer, it’s an emotional time. Roles and expectations may change (or you may wonder if they are going to change). Sometimes it’s difficult to talk with your loved one about your feelings, because you both have so much going on. Many find one of the best ways to cope with stress, uncertainty, and loneliness is to talk to others who share similar experiences. You can learn from personal experiences how to be effective in your new role as a caregiver.
There are 46 Wellness Communities and Gilda's Clubs across the United States that offer free support groups and educational programs for patients and caregivers. Cancer Support Community Online also holds professionally-led, password-protected support groups for caregivers, free of charge. As a participant, you will receive and share ongoing support, feedback, and information with other people affected by cancer. If you are interested in joining an online support group, please visit “Join the Online Community” using the link at the top of this page.
If there isn’t a Wellness Community or Gilda's Club near you and you prefer in-person support, doctor’s offices and hospitals are great places to seek referrals. Only you can determine what type of support works best for you. What typically doesn’t work is not seeking any support at all.
2) Gather Information
There is truth to the phrase, “Knowledge is power.” There’s no way to completely grasp the ups and downs of a cancer diagnosis and treatment – and you shouldn’t be expected to. Being armed with knowledge may help you accommodate you loved one’s needs, however, and put you at ease because you know what to expect.
1) Find YOUR Support System
When a friend or loved one is diagnosed with cancer, it’s an emotional time. Roles and expectations may change (or you may wonder if they are going to change). Sometimes it’s difficult to talk with your loved one about your feelings, because you both have so much going on. Many find one of the best ways to cope with stress, uncertainty, and loneliness is to talk to others who share similar experiences. You can learn from personal experiences how to be effective in your new role as a caregiver.
There are 46 Wellness Communities and Gilda's Clubs across the United States that offer free support groups and educational programs for patients and caregivers. Cancer Support Community Online also holds professionally-led, password-protected support groups for caregivers, free of charge. As a participant, you will receive and share ongoing support, feedback, and information with other people affected by cancer. If you are interested in joining an online support group, please visit “Join the Online Community” using the link at the top of this page.
If there isn’t a Wellness Community or Gilda's Club near you and you prefer in-person support, doctor’s offices and hospitals are great places to seek referrals. Only you can determine what type of support works best for you. What typically doesn’t work is not seeking any support at all.
2) Gather Information
There is truth to the phrase, “Knowledge is power.” There’s no way to completely grasp the ups and downs of a cancer diagnosis and treatment – and you shouldn’t be expected to. Being armed with knowledge may help you accommodate you loved one’s needs, however, and put you at ease because you know what to expect.
Cancer Support Community can help you learn about the course of cancer, its stages, recommended treatments and side effects of medications through its national patient education programs. To learn more about your loved one’s cancer diagnosis, visit “Learn About Your Cancer” using the link at the top of this page.
3) Recognize a “New Normal”Patients and caregivers alike report feeling a loss of control after a cancer diagnosis. Many caregivers are asked for advice about medical decisions or managing family finances and/or need to take on new day-to-day chores. It is likely that your tasks as a caregiver will create new routines – after all, you’re taking on a new role in the patient’s life as well as your own.
3) Recognize a “New Normal”Patients and caregivers alike report feeling a loss of control after a cancer diagnosis. Many caregivers are asked for advice about medical decisions or managing family finances and/or need to take on new day-to-day chores. It is likely that your tasks as a caregiver will create new routines – after all, you’re taking on a new role in the patient’s life as well as your own.
Maintaining a balance between your loved one’s disease and the daily activities of your own life can be a challenge. It may be helpful to identify the parts of your life that you can still control – such as your own health and relationships. In doing this, you will be able to create a strategy for integrating new routines with old ones.
It may also help to acknowledge that your home life, finances, and friendships may change for a period of time. Sometimes the laundry might not get done, or maybe takeout will replace home cooking. Try to manage each day’s priority as it comes – it’s alright to put other tasks on hold. Take a deep breath and realize that the support you provide is priceless.
4) Relieve Your Mind, Recharge Your Body
It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the tasks of caregiving. Mini-breaks are an easy way to replenish your energy and lower your stress. Try simple activities like taking a walk around the block or closing your eyes for 10 minutes in a comfortable chair.Taking time for yourself is not selfish – it’s necessary. You are working hard to provide and secure the best care for your loved one. Time spent recharging your mind and body will allow you to avoid depression or burnout. Research shows the person you’re caring for benefits most when you are healthy and your life is balanced.
4) Relieve Your Mind, Recharge Your Body
It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the tasks of caregiving. Mini-breaks are an easy way to replenish your energy and lower your stress. Try simple activities like taking a walk around the block or closing your eyes for 10 minutes in a comfortable chair.Taking time for yourself is not selfish – it’s necessary. You are working hard to provide and secure the best care for your loved one. Time spent recharging your mind and body will allow you to avoid depression or burnout. Research shows the person you’re caring for benefits most when you are healthy and your life is balanced.
Seek ways to rejuvenate your spirit. Everyone holds beliefs about life, its meaning and value. Many people have a spiritual dimension, whether or not they subscribe to a particular religion. Feeling spiritually connected can provide comfort and may also help you to put your situation into perspective. Prayer, meditation, and other spiritual practices can ease distress. Finding your own ways to meet this need may also help you recharge.
5) Take Comfort in Others
Caregiving can sometimes take a great deal of time. Many caregivers feel a loss of personal time over the course of their loved one’s illness. Keep in mind that while you are taking on new and additional responsibilities, you are still allowed a life of your own.
5) Take Comfort in Others
Caregiving can sometimes take a great deal of time. Many caregivers feel a loss of personal time over the course of their loved one’s illness. Keep in mind that while you are taking on new and additional responsibilities, you are still allowed a life of your own.
Many seasoned caregivers advise that you continue to be involved with your circle of friends and family. For some, remaining involved might mean playing an active role in school or community activities. For others, it may mean weekly visits with a best friend. Only you can determine the level of involvement that is right for you, and that level may change over time. No matter your choice, it is certain that you will appreciate having someone to turn to as you care for your loved one.
6) Plan for the Future
A common feeling among caregivers and people with cancer is uncertainty. It’s hard to know what the future holds. While planning may be difficult, it can help. Try to schedule fun activities on days when your loved one is not feeling the side effects of treatment. You can also give yourselves something to look forward to by planning together how you will celebrate the end of treatment, or a portion of treatment.
6) Plan for the Future
A common feeling among caregivers and people with cancer is uncertainty. It’s hard to know what the future holds. While planning may be difficult, it can help. Try to schedule fun activities on days when your loved one is not feeling the side effects of treatment. You can also give yourselves something to look forward to by planning together how you will celebrate the end of treatment, or a portion of treatment.
Planning for a future in the long-term is also important and can be increasingly stressful for a caregiver when sometimes, two futures are being planned – one based on survival and the other based on the possibility of losing your loved one. All of us, whether we have been diagnosed with cancer or not, should have in place necessary paperwork such as healthcare agent, power of attorney and a will. You can ask your loved one if he or she needs, or wants, assistance. It is in everyone’s best interest that you begin this process sooner rather than later. Having essential paperwork under control will allow you to have peace of mind.
7) Accept a Helping Hand
It’s okay to have "helpers." In fact, you may find that learning to let go and to say “YES!” will ease your anxiety and lift your spirits. People often want to chip in, but aren’t quite sure what type of assistance you need. It’s helpful to keep a list of all caregiving tasks, small to large. That way, when someone asks “Is there anything I can do?” you are able to offer them specific choices.
8) Be Mindful of YOUR Health
In order to be strong for your loved one, you need to take care of yourself. It’s easy to lose sight of your own health when you’re focused on your loved one. But if your own health is in jeopardy, who will take care of your loved one? Be sure to tend to any physical ailments of your own that arise – this includes scheduling regular checkups and screenings. And just like your mother told you: eat well and get enough sleep.
9) Consider Exploring Stress-Management Techniques
Even if you’ve never practiced mind-body exercises before, you may find that meditation, yoga, listening to music, or simply breathing deeply will relieve your stress. Research shows that these practices can enhance the immune system as well as the mind’s ability to influence bodily function and relieve symptoms.
7) Accept a Helping Hand
It’s okay to have "helpers." In fact, you may find that learning to let go and to say “YES!” will ease your anxiety and lift your spirits. People often want to chip in, but aren’t quite sure what type of assistance you need. It’s helpful to keep a list of all caregiving tasks, small to large. That way, when someone asks “Is there anything I can do?” you are able to offer them specific choices.
8) Be Mindful of YOUR Health
In order to be strong for your loved one, you need to take care of yourself. It’s easy to lose sight of your own health when you’re focused on your loved one. But if your own health is in jeopardy, who will take care of your loved one? Be sure to tend to any physical ailments of your own that arise – this includes scheduling regular checkups and screenings. And just like your mother told you: eat well and get enough sleep.
9) Consider Exploring Stress-Management Techniques
Even if you’ve never practiced mind-body exercises before, you may find that meditation, yoga, listening to music, or simply breathing deeply will relieve your stress. Research shows that these practices can enhance the immune system as well as the mind’s ability to influence bodily function and relieve symptoms.
Mind-body (or stress-reduction) interventions use a variety of techniques to help you relax mentally and physically. Examples include meditation, guided imagery, and healing therapies that tap your creative outlets such as art, music or dance. If this interests you, seek out guidance or instruction to help you become your own “expert” on entering into a peaceful, rejuvenated state.
Wellness Communities and Gilda's Clubs across the country offer mind-body therapy and guided imagery programs on a monthly basis. Enter your zip code into the dark gray box on the right side of this page to find an affiliate near you.
10) Do What You Can, Admit What You Can’t
Throughout these ten tips, we’ve touched on many tasks associated with caring for a loved one. Even seasoned caregivers find themselves caught up in the whirlwind of appointments, daily errands and medicine doses. No one can do everything. It’s O.K. to acknowledge your limits. Come to terms with feeling overwhelmed (it will happen) and resolve to be firm when deciding what you can and cannot handle on your own. Your loved one needs you. You cannot do this alone. Together, you can get through.
10) Do What You Can, Admit What You Can’t
Throughout these ten tips, we’ve touched on many tasks associated with caring for a loved one. Even seasoned caregivers find themselves caught up in the whirlwind of appointments, daily errands and medicine doses. No one can do everything. It’s O.K. to acknowledge your limits. Come to terms with feeling overwhelmed (it will happen) and resolve to be firm when deciding what you can and cannot handle on your own. Your loved one needs you. You cannot do this alone. Together, you can get through.
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