Key Takeaways
- A cancer caregiver helps a cancer patient through their treatment.
- Prioritize communication, focus on self-care, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Also, seek professional support when required, be prepared for mood changes, and be patient and understanding.
Cancer cases in India are expected to increase in 2024, with an estimated 1,496,972 cases in 2023. A cancer diagnosis can take a toll on the entire family. While it can be stressful, try to stay calm as a caregiver, as taking care of yourself is equally important.
What you need to know:
- 1. Prioritize communication
- 2. Focus on self-care
- 3. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
- 4. Seek professional support when required
- 5. Be prepared for mood changes
- 6. Be patient and understanding
- Support yourself, support your loved ones
Being a caregiver to someone with cancer is meaningful, but it comes with unique challenges. As you prepare, a good place to start is to understand what your loved one is going through, the practical things you will need to do to help, and how to manage your stress and anxiety along the way. Here are a few tips for cancer caretakers you can keep in mind:
1. Prioritize communication
Cancer patients undergo chemotherapy, which can be painful; Since their treatment process is long and tedious, they can undergo mood swings, and often need their space. You need to respect that and time your communications accordingly. Consider the tips given below for prioritizing communication:
- Be a good listener. Sometimes, patients just need someone to listen to them.
- Be specific about help. Offer to help in particular ways rather than just saying you are available.
- Be empathetic. Respond to your patient’s emotions with empathy.
- Be encouraging. Express your concern and care.
- Be open and honest. Set boundaries and expectations early on.
- Be available. Continue to visit and stay in touch.
- Be aware of touch. A warm touch can communicate more than words.
2. Focus on self-care
Taking care of an ill member can be time-consuming. However, caregivers must take care of their health as well.
Make self-care a priority:
- Get enough sleep.
- Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated.
- Get regular exercise, like walking, to improve your mood and health.
- Take breaks when you need them and take a mental health day if needed
- Spend time doing things that bring you joy, like listening to music, reading, or taking a bath to destress.
- Stay connected with friends and family, or talk to someone if you are feeling down.
- Be kind to yourself and practise gratitude.
3. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
People get so caught up in caring for patients that they put their health on the backseat. So, we need to motivate them to prioritize their health, too. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, you can:
- Eat various fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit processed foods, sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated. Avoid sugary drinks and control caffeine intake.
- Be physically active by walking, running, swimming, or cycling.
- Get a deep 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Create a relaxing bedtime routine and avoid screens before bed.
- Practise stress management techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and yoga, or indulge in hobbies like gardening, painting, and listening to music.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking.
- Consider taking a multivitamin supplement.
- Get regular checkups with your doctor.
- Try to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting.
- Spend considerable time under the sun and get some fresh air.
4. Seek professional support when required
Spending time with patients can get depressing. That’s where people can seek professional support or therapy. Surround yourself with supportive people. Stay active and invest time in pursuing hobbies that interest you – anything to distract you from the severity of the illness.
5. Be prepared for mood changes
Since cancer patients undergo several treatments and consume many medicines, the illness can often cause mood swings. This can also affect the mood of caregivers. As a caregiver, you can help by being aware of signs of depression or anxiety and providing emotional support. You must also care for yourself by getting enough rest, eating healthy meals, exercising, and taking breaks to read or watch positive content. You can talk to your healthcare provider if you feel overwhelmed or stressed.
6. Be patient and understanding
Be patient and understanding while dealing with cancer patients to navigate the challenges that this condition can bring with it.
- Practise mindfulness. Be present and non-judgmental.
- Be empathetic. Try to understand what the other person is going through.
- Listen actively. Give your full attention, make eye contact, and ask open-ended questions.
- Set realistic expectations. Be willing to wait for what you want.
- Focus on solutions.
- Build tolerance for discomfort. Accept that things don’t always go as planned.
- Practise self-compassion. Be kind to yourself.
- Patience can help you develop a healthy attitude.
Support yourself, support your loved ones
Caring for a cancer patient might seem overwhelming at times. Follow the steps mentioned above to take care of yourself while providing the necessary support to the patient.
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