Being a Caregiver | Cancer.Net

Caregivers are typically family members and friends who provide vital and constant physical and emotional care of a person with cancer. These days they are increasingly handling tasks previously done by health-care professionals. Although every caregiving situation is unique, more than three-quarters of the cancer caregivers in the United States are women, 71% are married, and almost half are older than 50. Typically, caregivers provide support and encouragement, administer medications, help control symptoms and side effects, provide proper nutrition, and report any problems to the doctor or health-care team.

Caregiving roles

The family caregiver's role can include emotional, financial, nursing, housekeeping, and other services on a daily or as-needed basis. In fact, there are many ways to fulfill a role as a family caregiver. For some, it may mean providing 24-hour care, while to others, it may mean researching medical information or arranging for outside help. Caregiving roles can generally be broken down into three categories:

Live-in caregiver. One family member typically assumes the role of the primary caregiver, often because of emotional, geographic, and/or logistical reasons. In fact, more than half of all caregivers in the United States live with the person for whom they are providing care and support, and more than one-third spend 40 hours a week or more on caregiving tasks. The role of the live-in caregiver can be physically exhausting and overwhelming.

Shared responsibility caregiver. Some caregivers share the responsibility with other family members, based on who is able to best perform each of the caregiving tasks. Working productively with family members can be challenging, however, especially in times of stress when previous family roles and resentments are more prone to surface. Learn more about Sharing Caregiving Responsibilities With Family.

Long-distance caregiver. In some cases, care is "managed" by a relative or friend who lives far away and assumes the responsibility of coordinating andmanaging professional home-care services. It can be especially difficult for the long-distance caregiver to judge if a situation can be resolved over the phone or if it requires an actual visit. Caring for a loved one who lives far away can be emotionally and financially exhausting, as all of the usual caregiving worries tend to be magnified. Learn more about Long-Distance Caregiving.

Cancer and caregiving

The caregiver plays an important role in looking after and supporting a person who is not well. Situations vary in their complexity, and it is difficult to provide a scenario that applies to all people with cancer and their families. It is true, however, that as the treatment and disease changes, so will the caregiver's role.

While recognizing the hardships and obstacles to providing constant care, it may also be helpful to comment on some of the most fulfilling aspects. Here are some of the highlights:

It demonstrates a commitment and devotion to the person who is ill by providing needed help and support.
It makes a difference.
It affords the unique opportunity to develop a new or renewed relationship with the person who is ill, to express love, and to forgive and be forgiven.
It helps set the tone of respect and caring for other family members and models active caregiving.

The potential challenges of caregiving include the following:

Physical and emotional stress
Less time for personal and family life
The need to balance job and caregiving responsibilities
Financial hardships associated with caregiving
Lack of privacy
Feelings of isolation and loneliness

To help manage these challenges, read about Tips on Caregiving.

If you are a young adult who is taking care of a parent with cancer, read Cancer.Net Feature: Young Adults Taking Care of a Parent With Cancer.