Caregiver Resources

While the patient is our number one priority in the St. Elizabeth Cancer Care program, their caregivers are a close second. We see firsthand each day the positive impact and crucial support that caregivers provide to their loved ones during their cancer journey.

While the role of caregiver is unique to each specific situation, in general caregivers:

  • Serve as a “second set of ears” during appointments, taking notes and helping their loved one understand oftentimes complicated medical information such as test results or treatment options.

  • Help brainstorm questions for their loved one’s medical team.

  • Remember important information for their loved one.

  • Help to organize paperwork.

  • Coordinate appointment times.

  • Facilitate transportation for loved one’s physician appointments and treatment schedule.

  • Coordinate/cook meals.

  • Help management finances and/or insurance.

It’s important to remember that there is a distinct difference between showing support and taking charge. Your loved one is going through a difficult journey; your role in his or her journey is challenging in a different way. Make sure to communicate with each other and empower your loved one to do everything they still feel up to doing. It may feel as if they’re doing “too much” – but it’s important for your loved one to feel normal wherever and whenever they can.

Adult daughter caring for Elderly Parent

Learn More

For more information, please contact your oncologist or the Cancer Care Center at
(859) 301-4000.

Caregivers: Take Care of Yourself Too

It’s easy to get so caught up in being a caregiver that you forget to take care of yourself too. Putting yourself last doesn’t help anyone – it causes you to get run-down and more susceptible to getting sick.

Try incorporating the following tips into your daily routine:

  • Eat healthy.

  • Make time for exercising, even if it’s just a quick daily walk to raise your heart rate.

  • Get enough sleep.

  • Rest when you can – if your loved one is napping, close your eyes for a half hour too.

  • Take vitamins to help boost your immune system.

  • Go to the doctor right away when you get ill.

  • Keep your regularly scheduled well-check, dental and eye exams.

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