Written by:
Arthi T
As a cancer caregiver, your primary focus will be on supporting your loved one both physically and emotionally. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that this journey can be especially challenging for you as well. There will be moments when you will need extra care and support.
While you take care of the patient, it’s equally important that someone is looking out for you. Therefore, monitoring your own well-being and being aware of your limits is essential. This allows you to seek help when necessary. Developing a self-care strategy is vital to maintaining your mental and physical health, enabling you to dedicate your energy to your loved one in need.
Challenges of a cancer caregiver
Caring for someone around the clock can bring significant physical, financial, and social challenges, which can, in turn, affect your mental health. As a caregiver for a cancer patient, you might encounter the following:
Stress
The ongoing demands of caregiving can become exhausting. While some stress is normal, excessive stress can become overwhelming.
Anxiety
The constant requirements of caregiving can quickly accumulate. If you frequently feel fearful, nervous, or upset throughout the day, it might be a sign of a more serious anxiety problem.
Depression
Feelings of loneliness or helplessness while caring for a cancer patient can lead to depression. This can impact your ability to eat properly, sleep well, or engage in activities you enjoy.
Mood swings
Experiencing mood swings is another common indicator of caregiver depression or anxiety. You might feel happy or excited one moment, only to have your mood change suddenly and unpredictably.
Need help covering cancer treatment costs?
The warning signs
If you suspect that the challenges mentioned are leading to stress and burnout, be aware of these signs of caregiver anxiety, which may indicate it’s time to take action:
Sleep issues
Experiencing either excessive sleep or insomnia can be a sign that you are feeling overwhelmed. Your mental health affects your sleep patterns, and in turn, your sleep schedule influences your mental well-being.
Weight changes
Stress or depression related to caregiving can lead to noticeable weight loss or gain. This is because stress can alter your metabolism and appetite, sometimes significantly.
Irritation or anger
Frequent irritability or frustration is a key indicator of caregiver stress. If you find yourself feeling angry or annoyed more often than usual, it could be a sign of burnout.
Irritation or anger
Frequent irritability or frustration is a key indicator of caregiver stress. If you find yourself feeling angry or annoyed more often than usual, it could be a sign of burnout.
If you make mistakes?
Regardless of your efforts, there will likely come a time when you feel you haven’t performed as well as you wanted. As a caregiver, you strive to do your best, involving the patient, family members, and close friends in key discussions. You aim to make decisions that are in the patient’s best interest—choices you and the patient can live with. However, there will be moments when you think you could have handled a situation better or approached something differently.
During these times, it’s crucial not to blame yourself. Find a way to forgive yourself and move forward. Maintaining a sense of humor can be helpful, as can acknowledging the things you do well, which are often easy to overlook. Remembering why you chose to take on this caregiving role can also provide perspective.
As a caregiver, you play a vital and unique role in supporting your loved one through their cancer journey. There are many support groups you can reach out to for help.
Need help covering cancer treatment costs?
Self care tips
Recognize signs of stress, anxiety, or depression early to know when to seek help or make changes for better health.
Talk to friends and family about your feelings; sharing emotions is healthy, and they can offer support.
Consult your doctor for professional help if you have persistent anxiety or depression symptoms.
Eat nutritious meals to maintain physical and mental well-being, providing energy for daily tasks.
Engage in hobbies like music, crafting, or exercise to decompress and relieve stress.
Join a support group to connect with others facing similar challenges, offering social interaction and caregiving tips.
Take time for yourself, whether for relaxation or enjoyment, to support your mental health.
Delegate responsibilities to lighten your load when needed.
Ask friends or family for help with transportation or finances; many will be willing to support you.
Set boundaries to manage your workload, and discuss with family members if you reach your limits to develop a more sustainable caregiving stress
Most important - Understand your limits!
It’s crucial to recognize that you can’t do everything by yourself. Caregiving alone for an extended period is not feasible. Reach out to others and involve them in your life and in caring for your loved one.
Many caregivers feel they must handle everything on their own, believing that as the partner, sibling, or child, they are solely responsible for their loved one. It can be difficult to admit that you can’t do it all without compromising your own health and peace of mind. Some feel guilty asking for help and think they should meet every need of their loved one by themselves.
Set boundaries for what you can realistically manage. For instance, if you are not accustomed to lifting your loved one, attempting to do so alone could result in injury to both of you. Learn safe methods for assisting someone to sit up or walk, which may require expert help. Home care nurses or physical therapists can teach you how to do this safely and help you acquire special equipment if necessary.
Your health and safety are paramount if you want to continue supporting your loved one. When you need assistance, reach out to others, including professionals. Discuss your responsibilities and needs with the cancer care team, and keep them engaged in your life and your loved one’s care.
Need help covering cancer treatment costs?
Here’s a few of the physical support groups in India
With a goal to acknowledge and support caregivers of patients with chronic conditions or terminal illnesses, Caregiver Saathi offers programs that help caregivers know themselves and their role better, understand the challenges and equip them with the necessary skills to help them cope with difficult situations. They organize workshops and podcasts, conduct coaching and counseling, and offer support groups.
IPH, Pune organizes various support groups regularly and one of them is for cancer patients and their caregivers. You may contact them for further details.
Their team of trained volunteers provide counselling to cancer patients and caregivers across nine hospitals in Bengaluru.
Based out of Chennai, they host caregivers connect program to all caregivers and provide counseling, nutrition support to families and empower them with needed resources
How Milaap can help
Milaap provides a lifeline for caregivers of cancer patients, easing the financial burden associated with treatment expenses. By offering a platform to raise funds, Milaap empowers families to focus on their loved one’s care and recovery, rather than being overwhelmed by medical bills. With the support of a compassionate community, caregivers can access the resources they need for treatment, medications, and other essential expenses. Start your fundraiser today!
Success stories on Milaap
In times of need, support means everything, and with Milaap, you need not look any further. Milaap enables you to set up a fundraiser for any medical emergency within minutes, and you can easily raise funds for treatment expenses.
Do you know someone who could benefit from fundraising? Simply refer them to us and we’ll be happy to lend a hand.
Visit www.milaap.org or call us on +91 9916174848 to get started now.
For more information, write to us at cx@milaap.org.
