As life expectancy rises and medical treatments improve, we can now give a better life to people who suffer from chronic illnesses or disabilities.
These also include people with cancer. According to the CDC, In the United States alone, there were 1,752,735 new cancer cases recorded in 2019.
This means an increasing number of us found a family member diagnosed with cancer and had to care for a loved one at home.
All Out Of Love
Taking care of a family member in need, whether it’s an aged parent, a disabled spouse, or a child with a physical or mental disease, is an act of generosity, love, and commitment.
It is because we love them that we try our best to increase their quality of life and work towards their comfort. Here are some things you need to know to become a caregiver for a family member
It Is Human To Feel The Emotions You Are Feeling
Caregiving may elicit a wide range of negative feelings, including anger, anxiety, resentment, shame, helplessness, and sadness.
It’s critical to recognize and embrace your emotions, both positive and negative.
Don’t berate yourself for having concerns and reservations.
These emotions do not suggest that you do not love your family member; they just indicate that you are human.
Take It One Day At A Time
It gets overwhelming with the reports and the constant medical care. So make sure you take it one day at a time.
Ask for help, and even though it is not always simple, you must turn to friends and family for support. Perhaps you are hesitant to impose on others or are concerned that they will appear incompetent.
But as I learned in my experience, which I share in my book ‘A Husband’s Guide to Hands-On Caregiving,’ family members frequently want to assist but are unsure how. Make things simpler for them and yourself, and communicate.
Outsource Tasks
Know that there are only enough hours in a day and focus on managing tasks rather than doing everything yourself. Hire a tutor for your kids, and find a Program for meals so they can deliver hot meals to your loved one’s house.
Turn To Books For Caregivers
It’s easy to talk to someone who has walked a mile in your shoes. And I, Patrick Palmer, a caregiving and cancer research advocate, have spent 5 years taking care of my wife, which is why I have written books to support caregivers of cancer patients.
I talk about more ways in my books like ‘Are You Prepared to be a Caregiver’ to help family members prepare to be caregivers.
I wrote ‘A Husband’s Guide to Hands-On Caregiving,’ particularly for men whose wives were diagnosed with cancer. And I wrote my third book, ‘The Healing of a Caregiver,’ for all caregivers to help them heal themselves from whatever trauma they had to endure.
Head to my website to learn more, or order my books from here.
