It’s tough to see your loved ones suffering as they struggle to beat cancer. If you’re the primary caregiver of a relative, you’re going to be going through a lot of emotional turmoil as well. It’s hard to know how to help them, so here are some ways you can offer your support.
Get organised
Organise your time: Create a weekly schedule so you can keep on top of the many things that need to get done in the house, including times for medication and treatments.
Organise your living space: Your loved one may have limited mobility due to their illness, so they’ll need to stay as close to the bathroom, dining room, and front door as possible. You may have to rearrange the rooms in order to place them in a good spot, and you might want to consider rearranging the furniture to make it easier for them to get around.
Let Them Help
Many people will be tempted to say “No” when their sick relatives offer assistance, but you should always say “Yes” for their sake. They need the work to take their mind off their own problems, so accept their help. It will keep them occupied, and can take a task off of your full plate.
Find Emotional Support
If you haven’t told your friends about the problem, they may be hesitant to ask. You need to talk it through with a friend you can rely on, as you will need emotional support yourself. You may think you’re strong enough to handle the burden alone, but you’re going to crack under the pressure if you don’t have someone to talk to.
Be There
Don’t worry that you’ll say or do the “wrong things” when interacting with a close one battling cancer, but just be there and spend time with them. Talk and laugh with them as you normally would—treading on eggshells around them will only remind them of their problem.
Help Out as Much as Possible
Many cancer patients refuse to believe that the cancer will be terminal, so they try to stick to their old routines as much as they could. They’ll often refuse your help to do certain tasks, so accept their refusal while trying to help out as much as you can. Remember, don’t push your help on them, but let them know you’re always there if they need you.
Give Gifts and Send Cards
Don’t hesitate to do little things for the person “just because”. One cancer patient said his friends and family would send him cards every time he finished his chemo treatment. Little gifts and messages help the patient know you’re thinking of them, and they can make a world of difference!
Care for Yourself
It’s never easy providing support for a loved one dealing with cancer, but these tips can help make supporting them easier on you—mentally and physically.