Defining Your Role as a Cancer Caregiver
How to set clear expectations with the person you're caring for and others
By Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor
What does the person you're caring for expect, want, and need from a caregiver?
When someone you're close to delivers the news of a cancer diagnosis, a host of questions arise about how you and others in her life are going to cope with everything that needs to be done in the days and months ahead. The role of caregiver can encompass a huge variety of responsibilities, large and small, and deciding who's going to do what is a process you and she need to tackle together. Start by sitting down with her and making a list of everything that needs doing, so you can prioritize which ones she most needs help with.
To get you started, here are some of the most common responsibilities that can come under the "caregiver" job description:
Helping with physical needs
- Communicating and coordinating with primary care physician, oncologist, and other medical staff
- Obtaining and helping organize medications, equipment, and other supplies
- Managing pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and other symptoms
- Handling grocery shopping and cooking; helping with eating and cleaning up
- Taking care of cleaning, laundry, and other household tasks
- Driving to and from appointments and running other errands
Helping with emotional issues
- Supporting and dealing with issues such as depression and anxiety
- Finding and coordinating membership in a support group or other supportive therapy
- Being available to talk through sadness, fear, and other emotional issues that arise
- Supporting her relationship with her spouse or partner, if she has one
Helping with financial issues
- Paying bills
- Getting answers to medical insurance coverage questions
- Handling other insurance issues
- Planning long-term financial issues
Supporting her social life
- Helping coordinate visits with friends, family, support staff, and other community members so she doesn't become isolated
- Communicating with family and friends about her status and needs
- Helping her continue with favorite activities and hobbies
