Caregiving Basics
- A caregiver can be a partner, another relative, a friend, or a neighbor.
- During medical visits, the caregiver can listen to the doctor’s recommendations and discuss any side effects or problems their loved one is having.
- Another important job of a caregiver may be to help the patient stay on top of their cancer medications.
- The best caregivers are also willing to listen — allowing their loved one to express their own feelings and concerns.
A caregiver can be a partner, parent, child, friend, or neighbor. But it should be someone who is willing to put in the time and effort to understand the diagnosis, and follow the medical team's recommendations.
Read More "I encourage caregivers to come in to visits with my patients, because in that way, the caregiver is also listening to the recommendations — what should be done in between these visits, any changes in treatment plans, any toxicities [side effects] that we need to look out for, changes in dietary habits, exercise, etc.," Dr. Lea says. "The work is extremely hard."
Caregivers should be willing to share what they’ve learned while caring for their loved one day to day, letting the doctor know about any side effects or other problems that arise. They also need to be willing to take a backseat sometimes. "Step back a little bit and let the patient speak for themselves. Let them express what they are feeling," Dr. Lea tells SurvivorNet. "That is so important for the patient’s overall quality of life and wellbeing."
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