Being A Cancer Caregiver For Loved Ones
Do you desire to be a cancer caregiver for a loved one?
Do you desire to be a cancer caregiver for a loved one? Or, are you interested in volunteering to help others? Individuals with cancer benefit from having a support system. One way to provide support is through caregiving.
Cancer Caregiver Support
A cancer caregiver helps someone with cancer. They are usually not compensated to help. People who provide caregiving include parents, young adults, and close friends. Sometimes, a caregiver will spend the better part of life caring for the individual.
Roles of the Cancer Caregiver
Each cancer patient holds different needs. So, the roles of the caregiver will be different in each situation. As the patient lives in different phases of their treatment, roles change.
Basic Caregiver Roles
- Transporting patient to appointments
- Providing emotional support
- Helping with household chores
- Prepare healthy meals
- Run errands for the individual
- Help with outdoor chores
- Make phone calls and appointments
- Help patient bathe and dress
- Take care of individual’s finances
Emotional Support Given
The caregiver for a loved one offers many different helps. Each one supports the patient emotionally. They may also offer physical help around the home. Each task given removes the stress of day to day life for the cancer patient.
Problem Solving Challenges
Cancer patients face many new challenges. Caregivers can make a huge difference in their life. They become problem solvers for the patient. This can occur in many different ways.
Involving the Patient
Sometimes as caregivers, we may forget to involve the patient. We can become very busy trying to help. Remember, the patient has feelings. And, they still need to be a part of the problem-solving process.
The patient should live life as normal as possible. They need encouragement and support. Pay attention to them when they need to talk. Remember to keep things realistic.
Plan Caregiver Visits
Caregivers may live with the cancer patient. Some will travel to the home of the individual. In this case, plan your visits with the patient. This will help keep your mind organized.
Share Your Thoughts
Do you know of someone who has cancer? Do you desire to provide help to them in their time of need? Helping individuals with cancer is a great way to make a difference! Share your thoughts below!