PATIENT SUPPORT - Tips for Caregivers

Caring for a loved one with a serious disease can be both a deeply rewarding and stressful experience. We hope this information is helpful to you.

• Give yourself and your loved one time to adjust to the diagnosis.
  
• A positive attitude is beneficial for you and your loved one.
• Giving care to a loved one with cancer requires patience, flexibility, courage and a good sense of humor.
• Good communication is essential to learning how best to work with your loved one.
• Plan special times together away from the routine of treatment, such as a special evening out for dinner, a movie or play, etc..
• Talk about the future. Hope is very important.
• Being a caregiver can reveal hidden strengths, and enrich your family life
• As a caregiver, you can choose to take the primary caregiver role or, depending on the level of support from family and friends, divide it between two or more persons.
• Being a caregiver can affect you emotionally, physically and financially. For guidance, speak with your Cancer Center Social Worker.
• To better understand you're loved one's diagnosis, treatment and progress, be an active participant during clinic visits.
• Using a journal or notebook during your loved one's appointments, etc., will help you stay organized.
• Encourage your loved one to engage as much as possible in normal daily activities.
• Give yourself permission to feel emotions about your loved one's situation, and confide in a friend or counselor to provide insight and support.
• Set up a list of activities that your family or friends can sign up to do weekly or monthly.
• To help reduce your stress, make time for regular exercise, meditation or some other form of relaxation.
• If care is long term, arrange for extended periods of relief - take a vacation.
• Attempt to maintain as much of your routine as possible, but recognize that you may need to alter some of your daily activities if you are the primary caregiver.
• Take advantage of caregiver support groups and credible websites for resources and support.
• Taking care of you is important: Remember to get adequate rest and nutrition, and take time for personal care.
• Select funny movies to watch together. Good humor is healthy for the body and soul.
• Allow yourself private time to do nothing, or something important to you.
• Spiritual support through prayer or the guidance of a spiritual leader can be good medicine.
• Designate a family member or friend who can help field phone calls regarding your loved one's progress.
• Rely on the Cancer Center's professional team for information and support.

Print this page, or download a 3-fold pamphlet: 25 Tips for Caregivers