Strategies for being a caretaker of a cancer survivor
Mrs. Chantal LeBlanc
Mrs. Chantal LeBlanc has a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Social Sciences from Concordia University as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from McGill University. She received a Master’s degree in Social Work from McGill University in 2009. Mrs. LeBlanc has been a professional social worker for 22 years, including 3 years in a clinical supervisory role. Her clinical practice has encompassed the areas of home care for elderly people as well as adults with physical and intellectual impairments. For the past 6 years, she has practiced in the field of oncology at the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal.
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Ms. Bonnie Tompkins
Ms. Bonnie Tompkins was the sole caregiver to her late partner, who passed away from cancer in May 2014. She recently graduated in public health from Brock University and now works with her local hospice to help increase access to needed assistance for patient and their caregivers. She is especially interested in caregivers, as she suffered caregiver burnout. Her passion is to use her late partner’s and her own experiences to help people in similar situations, hopefully lessening their stress.
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Take time to recharge your battery, that is, your mind and body. This can help you be a better caregiver. You may want to think about:
- being aware of your feelings and talking to someone you trust
- finding self-care activities, going for a walk alone or exercising – even just a few minutes can help
- asking others for help or finding things others can do or arrange for you, such as appointments or errands
- looking for ways to connect with friends by phone, and obtaining support
- finding larger chunks of “off-duty” time
- connecting with your loved ones
- getting enough rest
Resources
