<Cancer and Caregiving>


HOW TOBE AN EFFECTIVE CAREGIVER Information and Support for Caregivers by The American Cancer Society Caregiving is the most important and challenging job an individual will ever have. Below are some steps that individuals can take to be effective caregivers. Work and communicate effectively with the patient. Caregivers care for patients who must deal with the physical effects of the disease and medicine, as well as the psychological and social challenges of living with cancer. Support for the cancer patient includes efforts to: • Create a climate that encourages and supports sharing feelings. • Understand that men and women often communicate in different ways and make allowance for those differences. • Help the patient to deal with anxiety and depression. • Let the patient make as many of his/her own decisions as possible. Support the patient’s spiritual concerns. Spiritual concerns raise fundamental questions about life. Why are we here? Why me? What is a good life? What happens after death? A caregiver can support the patient in thinking about his/her own answers to these questions. Work with health professionals. Here are some practical suggestions to keep in mind when a caregiver needs information and help from health professionals: • Be clear about what is wanted and get to the point as soon as possible. • Have all the information that health professionals may need ready when a call is made. • Write down the answers. • Be firm and straightforward about getting the information and the help that is needed. Work with family and friends. Caregivers should not try to do everything themselves. They should ask for help. Others may want to help but need to be told how. It is important to be clear with these helpers about what they could do to be helpful, as well as the limits of what is expected of them. Friends and family can go grocery shopping, pick up children at school, etc. Take care of your own needs and feelings. Caregivers need to be at their best if they are to provide the best care. Caregivers must pay attention to their own needs as well as those of the person they are helping if they are to be effective. Caregivers should set limits on what can be reasonably expected of them. They should take time off to care for themselves and ask for help before stress builds. • Try not to make important decisions while upset. • Talk over important problems with others. • Get away from the situation for a while. • Learn as much as possible about what is happening and what may happen in the future. • Do not expect perfection. • Do not dwell on mistakes. For information on these programs in your area, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800- ACS-2345 or visit their Web site at www.cancer.org

Caregiving?
More resources and articles for caregivers More for Family Caregivers Caregivers without borders Help is there and just for asking

. If you’re assisting a relative or friend over 60 or, you’re over 60 yourself and are the primary caregiver for a relative under 18. Either way, You don’t have to go it alone. The AIS Family Caregiver Support Program is at your side, and on your side. We can help you find the resources you need for training, assistance, support, assessment, and legal services. Call 1-800-510-2020

Community Resources
THE CARING COMMUNITY – Living with Cancer (CCLC) offers WEEKLY support groups for those affected by any type of cancer. Whether you are newly diagnosed, you are undergoing treatment, or you have completed your treatment and are ready to deal with the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis, you may want to join a cancer support group. Groups are also available for family members living with a loved one affected by cancer. English support groups are offered countywide.To register for a CCLC group, please call our bilingual line at (619) 682-2663 If you are in need of other services, such as health insurance, financial assistance, transportation, information on a specific type of cancer, clinical trials, medical equipment or prosthesis, among other things, and/or need help navigating the cancer care system, please call San Diego County Cancer Navigator’s Help-Line at (866) 324-2628 or visit our website at www.cancernavigator.org



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