Resources for Blood Cancer Caregivers

The ability to make choices is a basic freedom, so provide choices whenever possible. Choices enable us to express ourselves. As your loved one’s options become more limited due to health changes, financial constraints, or social losses, you may have to work harder to provide choices.

If your loved one is still capable of performing certain activities, such as paying bills or cooking meals, encourage them to do so. Helping your loved one maintain a feeling of independence will make them feel better about being in a care-receiving situation.

Many care recipients find it emotionally difficult to depend on others, and many worry about being a burden. With all these mixed feelings, your loved one needs to be able to rely on you. Do what you promise. Remember that your loved one needs you, even if they don’t say so.

Caregivers often exhaust themselves by trying to handle caregiving responsibilities on top of normal daily routines. Providing care for a loved one while holding down a job, and perhaps taking care of a family, can lead to exhaustion. If you become exhausted, you’re more likely to make bad decisions or take your frustrations out on your loved one. Take time out to do things you enjoy. Caregivers who take time for themselves can be there for the long haul. Ask your loved one’s doctor to suggest local resources, such as adult day care services, that can give you some relief from responsibilities that may feel overwhelming.

At some point in your role as a caregiver, you may start to feel resentment toward your caregiving responsibilities or even your loved one, especially if you are a long-term caregiver. These thoughts may be followed by feelings of guilt. Caregiving is a difficult job, so don’t beat yourself up over these normal and common feelings.

There can be deep emotional currents when a loved one becomes ill. Some family members will want to do everything, while others will do very little unless they’re asked. Yet, spouses, siblings, children, and other relatives can do a lot to ease your caregiving burden. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them for help.