Tips for Caregivers

Caregivers: What can you do to help yourself and your loved one cope with cancer? 

Here are some suggestions to help you optimally manage the cancer experience:

• Keep the lines of communication open.  Actively listen and be mindful of what you say.  In particular, do not tell a cancer survivor, “I know how you feel,” because you really do not know how someone feels, even if you have had the same cancer.
• Friends can be more directive when offering help; for example, rephrasing “What can I do for you?” to “What are the things you hate doing most?”  Offer to take on that task or perhaps suggest organizingfriends and neighbors to cook dinners three or four nights a week.
• Accompany your family member or friend to all medical appointments.  You will become more knowledgeable and can serve as an important conduit for information.  Take notes, record consultations, help your companion prepare questions and seek treatment options for her diagnosis.
• Be proactive and educate yourself because education is key to dispelling myths surrounding cancer.  You may want to initiate a phone and/or email “tree” to streamline communications with family members, friends and colleagues.
• Seek avenues of support.  Y-ME’s Partner Match Program provides support and education to partners and spouses assisting a loved one through breast cancer.
• Talk to someone who's been in your shoes.  You can always call call Y-ME (1-800-221-2141) and speak to a trained peer counselor for more ideas.  All the Hotline peer counselors are breast cancer survivors.

   

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