Caregivers of those with cancer may find themselves taking on many roles and responsibilities. These roles can include:
- providing emotional support, physical care and cognitive/informational support
- acting as a medical researcher, financial manager and advocate
- facilitating communication with medical professionals and other family members
- assisting in the maintenance of social relationships
Caregiving roles can be influenced by a number of factors, including:
- how the caregiver entered into this role
- their past and present relationships with those they care for
- their personality and the personality of those they care for
- their current life situation
- the support or lack of emotional and practical support available to the caregiver
- their financial resources
- their own health
- the health and care needs of the person for whom they are caring
The caregiving role may change over the course of the cancer and its treatment, as can the tasks that they take on. At the time of diagnosis, caregivers may find themselves in “crisis” mode as they attempt to understand the full breadth of the disease. Eventually, most caregivers fall into a rhythm of care, which can be a time to focus on other issues including balancing work and caregiving, maintaining quality of life, and self-care.
