25 Tips for Cancer Caregivers

Caring for a loved one with a serious disease can be both a deeply rewarding and stressful experience. Use the tips and information below to help you through the process.  

1. Give yourself and your loved one time to adjust to the diagnosis.
2. A positive attitude is beneficial for you and your loved one.
3. Giving care to a loved one with cancer requires patience, flexibility, courage and a good sense of humor.
4. Good communication is essential to learning how best to work with your loved one.
5. Plan special times together away from the routine of treatment, such as a special evening out for dinner, a movie or play, etc..
6. Talk about the future. Hope is very important.
7. Being a caregiver can reveal hidden strengths, and enrich your family life
8. 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.
9. Being a caregiver can affect you emotionally, physically and financially. For guidance, speak with your Cancer Center Social Worker.
10. To better understand you're loved one's diagnosis, treatment and progress, be an active participant during clinic visits.  See more below...