Cancer and its treatment can be overwhelming, and having another person around to provide care and support is invaluable. Being a caregiver for a cancer patient is demanding and multi-faceted, and can be stressful in itself. Taking care of both the patient and yourself is paramount so that both of you can navigate the medical journey in the best way possible.
Step 1
Go with the patient to doctor appointments, if she is okay with that. Meeting with a doctor can be overwhelming, and it helps to have an extra set of ears in the room when discussing illness, prognosis and treatment news. Many places will require a cancer patient to be driven to and from chemotherapy, while many patients drive themselves to radiation. You can provide emotional support to a patient even by simply sitting there with them.
Step 2
Clean the surgical wounds if the patient is not able to do it himself after surgery. The American Cancer Society suggests wearing a disposable pair of plastic gloves each time you help clean the wounds, and washing your hands before and after cleaning. Check for any signs of infection at each dressing change.
Step 3
Prepare snacks for a cancer patient in small portions, since these may be easier to eat than large meals. During cancer treatment, extra calories and protein are needed, so things like cheese, milk, dried fruits and granola can be healthy snacks that help promote weight maintenance and protein consumption, says the National Cancer Institute.
Step 4
Encourage the patient to eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of liquids, since constipation is a common side effect of many treatments. Not eating enough can also cause constipation, so it is important to stay hydrated and consume enough fiber.
Step 5
Talking to a professional may help both caregivers and the patient during and after the cancer experience. A diagnosis of a serious illness and its subsequent treatment can be trying emotionally and psychologically, and talking with an objective party can help provide stress relief and emotional support. A counselor can also provide coping tools and ways to manage stress.
Tips and Warnings
- Caring for a cancer patient can be stressful. It is important to take care of yourself emotionally and physically in order to provide the best care you can for the patient. There may be a caregivers support group at the cancer center that you may find helpful.
- Prior to giving a cancer patient any medicine to handle pain, or any special food, it is best to talk to the treatment team or oncologist. Some patients should avoid certain foods or medications, depending on what treatment is being given and what kind of cancer the patient has.
