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Caregiver Support > Caring for a Loved One

Caring for a Loved One

While caring for a loved one can be very rewarding and meaningful, it can also be challenging and stressful.1 You may find yourself struggling to adapt to your new caregiving role. Perhaps you are now caring for a parent while raising your own children.2 Not only are you juggling many responsibilities, you are also taking care of someone who used to take care of you. Maybe you are caring for a spouse who is becoming more dependent and demanding. The relationship may no longer feel as equal as it once did. Either way, it’s common to feel angry and resentful2—and exhausted, both physically and emotionally. This section can help you manage your caregiving role and look after yourself at the same time.

Supporting a loved one with melanoma

If you’re a caregiver to someone who’s living with melanoma, there are many ways you can help. But keep in mind that your loved one may find it difficult to ask for help. Try asking your loved one what would be most helpful for them. Perhaps say, “What can I do to help you today?” or “What can I do right now to relieve a little bit of stress?” Consider suggesting specific tasks you can do, even if you aren’t sure they will help: “What do you want me to make for dinner tonight?” or “What errands can I run for you?”3 That way, your loved one doesn’t have to think about what he or she needs.

Types of support

There are many ways you can support your loved one, and the type of help will depend on what your loved one needs at any point in time. The support you provide can be either practical or emotional. Practical support is often about “doing” and emotional support is more about “being.” Some examples of each are outlined below.4

Practical support

Practical support means helping in an active way. This could include helping out around the house, such as buying groceries, making dinner, or doing the laundry. Practical support also includes helping your loved one to take their treatment as prescribed.

Appointment support

An important role of a caregiver is to be an advocate for their loved one with the healthcare team. Here are some ways you can do that:

  • Bring copies of your loved one’s lab and pathology reports and imaging scans to each appointment.5
  • Help your loved one write down a list of questions before appointments. Help make sure the questions are asked and answered.6
  • Take notes during appointments. This will allow your loved one to listen more closely while you’re writing. You can review the notes together after the appointment.6
  • Be an active participant in the appointment by speaking up and asking questions.
  • If the doctor writes a prescription, make sure you can read the drug name and dosage. Ask the doctor what the medication is for, if there are any side effects, and how to manage them.5

Treatment support

As a caregiver, you may be responsible for managing your loved one’s medication. That can include filling or refilling prescriptions, making sure your loved one takes medication as prescribed, and communicating with the healthcare team about any side effects. If that sounds like a lot to keep track of, it is. Here are some tips to make managing your loved one’s treatment a bit easier:

  • Create a medication schedule to help your loved one remember what to take, how to take it, and when to take it.6 This can be a chart, an electronic pill box with alarms, or an app.
  • Keep a medication log. Include the name of the medication, the purpose, dosage, date started, any side effects or problems experienced, and the name of the doctor who prescribed the treatment.5 Include over-the-counter medications, such as supplements and herbal products.
  • Keep track of any changes you notice in your loved one’s symptoms or mood.5
  • When picking up a prescription, check to make sure the label has your loved one’s name on it and that it includes the correct medication and the right dosage.5
  • Remind your loved one that the doctor has prescribed the medication for a reason. Explain that treatment may reduce their symptoms and slow the progression of their cancer.

Emotional support

Sometimes all you need to do is listen and be present. Let your loved one complain, cry, or express anger without judging, cheerleading, or trying to problem-solve.7 Simply acknowledge their feelings. Being listened to and having the opportunity to voice their feelings can be healing for them.

Other ways to provide emotional support include:

  • Listening to music together8
  • Watching a funny movie together
  • Playing cards together
  • Visiting other friends and family8
  • Going for a scenic drive together8

At times, your loved one may want to be alone. Perhaps they are tired of trying to be brave. Maybe they want to have peace and quiet to be alone with their thoughts. Try not to take this personally. Part of staying close is giving them space if they need it. Send them a note letting them know how much you love, admire, and care about them. Remind them that you are there for them.

REFERENCES

  1. Health in Aging Foundation. Tips for avoiding caregiver burnout. HealthinAging.org Tip Sheet. https://www.healthinaging.org/sites/default/files/media/pdf/HIA-TipSheet%20CaregiverBurnoutJune19_0.pdf.
  2. National Cancer Institute. Caring for the Caregiver. https://www.cancer.gov/publications /patient-education/caring-for-the-caregiver.pdf3.
  3. CaringBridge. 5 things to say to patients and caregivers besides “I’m So Sorry.” Caregiving. https://www.caringbridge.org/resources/what-to-say-to-patients/.
  4. National Cancer Institute. Support for caregivers of cancer patients. About Cancer. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/caregiver-support.
  5. Goodman S, Rabow M, Folkman S. Orientation to Caregiving: a Handbook for Family Caregivers of Patients With Brain Tumors. 2nd ed. San Francisco, CA: University of California, San Francisco; 2013.
  6. Cameron KA. Caregiver’s guide to medications and aging. Family Caregiver Alliance. https://www.caregiver.org/print/293.
  7. Verywell Health. Tips for giving emotional support for cancer patients. Cancer. https://www.verywellhealth.com/giving-emotional-support-to-a-loved-one-with-cancer-514052.
  8. Suby M. Activities to do with a sick loved one. Hospice of the Red River Valley. https://www.hrrv.org/blog/activities-to-do-with-a-sick-loved-one/.