There are different types of caregivers and different ways to offer support to someone affected by cancer. Caregivers can be family members, friends, volunteers, or health care staff.

Roles of a Caregiver
Caregiving includes many ways to support and help a patient. Here are some common roles of a caregiver:

• Go to appointments with the patient. By having another set of eyes and ears, the patient can find his or her way more easily and have help understanding information.
• Coordinate care and services. This can involve time on the phone or completing paperwork. The more a patient can focus on recovery, the better.
• Help with day-to-day tasks such as transportation, cleaning, or grocery shopping.
• Provide emotional and spiritual support. Talking, listening, and just being there are some of the most important things a caregiver can do.

End-of-Life Caregiving
Caring for a person in the final stages of life brings unique challenges. Physical, emotional, and spiritual changes take place as the person begins to die. These changes begin the body's final process of shutting down and can help caregivers anticipate when death is near. 

Here are some ways caregivers can provide comfort during this time:

• Ask if there is anything you can do.
• Be prepared to listen and allow the person to express fears and concerns about dying.
• Be willing to reminisce about the person's life.
• Keep the person company—talk, watch movies, read, or just be present.
• Respect the person's need for privacy.
• Try not to withhold difficult information. Involve the person in discussions about issues that concern him or her.

Managing Stress as a Caregiver
Being a caregiver takes time, work, and effort. Caregivers often tend to neglect their own physical and emotional health. Many studies show more than 50% of caregivers experience emotional and physical problems as a result of caregiver burnout, which can make it difficult to provide the attention and care the patient needs.

It is important to take steps to relieve stress and prevent caregiver burnout:

• Allow time to grieve—to cry, to feel numb, to be angry.
• Ask for help. Family members and friends may beable to help with caregiver responsibilities.
• Consider respite care. This is temporary care coordinated through family, friends, or neighbors. It allows someone else to take over duties so the primary caregiver can get a break.
• Get educated. Knowing about the patient's disease may help the caregiver feel more in control and help set realistic expectations.
• Stay healthy. Eat well, exercise, and get plenty of rest.
• Take things one day at a time. Understand there will be good days and bad days.
• Talk it out. Consider meeting with a counselor or support group.

Patient and Family Support
Becoming a caregiver can be a difficult transition. It is very common to feel confused and stressed as roles and life change due to new responsibilities. Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) offers Patient and Family Support Services that can help cancer patients and their loved ones cope with the emotions and life changes brought about by a cancer diagnosis. HCI staff can help patients and their caregivers in the following ways:

• Assist with hospital services, accessing community resources, and addressing other practical needs
• Collaborate and consult with doctors, nurses, and other medical care providers to enhance comprehensive, holistic care
• Help with advanced health care directives such as a living will and medical power of attorney
• Meet with individuals, couples, and families
• Teach stress reduction skills and other mind-body techniques to aid the healing process

Cancer Learning Center
The Cancer Learning Center has hundreds of free brochures and more than 3,000 books, DVDs, and CDs available for checkout. You can browse the library, perform Internet research, or talk with a cancer information specialist. Call 801-581-6365 or toll free 1-888-424-2100, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The sources for this information are the National Cancer Institute and our Patient and Family Support Services.