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How To Support Your Loved One If They Are Diagnosed With Cancer

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Published on February 11, 2022. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Cancer can take a physical, mental, emotional and financial toll on the sufferer as well as their family. While buying cancer insurance can help soften the financial blow, what is rarely ever spoken about, is the emotional and psychological effect cancer can have on family members, especially spouses or children who become primary caregivers. So, here are a few tips that can help in case you are caring for someone with cancer.

How to be a good, dedicated caregiver

For starters, caring for a cancer patient can be challenging. As a caregiver,you need to be prepared for emotional ups and downs that come with the entire process. It obviously cannot be an easy task to see cancer consume a once healthy family member. So, here are some tips on how to be a more nurturing and successful caregiver.

1. Keep it simple

As a caregiver, you might oftenface complex decisions. But your intention should be to keep the patient as healthy and comfortable as possible. So, start with the basics and keep it simple. A caregiver’s mere presence is a huge morale boost to the cancer patient. It really does lift their spirits to see their caregiver in a buoyant mood. As simple as this may sound, it is quite a difficult task. Hence, meditate, rest well and make sure you’re always hydrated. Remember, as a caregiver, you need to be both mentally and physically strong.

2. Listen

Always be attentive and listen closely to what the patient says to you. Sometimes, this can be critical, as the patient may be describing a new symptom or pain. At other times, the patient might simply want your companionship. Allowing them to express themselves without fear and judgement is one of the small, intangible things that you can do to buoy their spirits. Listening carefully to doctors’ instructions and advice from experienced caregivers will also help you perform your duties better.

3. Always be available

Whether it is to listen to their pains, or to just be by their side, you must always be available as a caregiver. However, it can get tiring. So, ensure that you get ample rest, whenever you can. Being present and available is a huge psychological boost for a patient. It shows them that they are loved, cared for and not abandoned. Being around and available for chemotherapy appointments, doctor visits and on a daily basiswill give the patient a sense of security and emotional support.

4. Power of touch

Something as simple as a pat on the shoulders or a hug can work wonders for someone suffering from cancer. As human beings,it is natural to seek physical reassurance, and nothing says this better than the power of touch. According to psychologists,the power of touch can have a deep and profound impact on someone in pain. It can alleviate their mind-frame, which is often one of defeat, negativity and anxiety.

5. Take care at home

Cancer can bring about weakness, loss of appetite, light-headedness, blurred vision and many other sideeffects. It is therefore extremely important for you to be prepared for homecare. It would be a good idea to invest in a bell by the patient’s bedside, in case they need you in an emergency. Care also extends to meal preparations, as the intake of a patient can vary widely. Keeping a close eye on medicine stocks is also an important task. Making the home a positive and nurturing environment is one of the most important functions of the caregiver.

6. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst

There is no denying that cancer is a cruel ailment. And while you and your family at large should never give up hope, it is wise to plan for the worst. So, ensure that your patient’s cancer insurance is updated and all relevant documents for filing claims are handy. Also prepare the rest of the family for what might be inevitable. Most importantly, help the patient come to terms with the situation in a sensitive and empathetic manner.

7. Coordinate and delegate

Caregiving should be a combined, family effort. So, if you are the primary caregiver,you need to involve other family members and delegate and coordinate tasks and schedules in order to avoid burnout.

8. Frequent visits

Frequent visits from friends and relatives can help keep a patient’s spirits up. So, ensure that there are frequent visitors. This will help reduce your burden of having to motivate and encourage the patient.

9. Ask frequent questions

The only way to ensure that you are giving the best possible care to your loved one is by asking them frequent questions. This will also help the patient identify any problem areas in their routine. Asking frequent questions to doctors and medical practitioners will help build your confidence and provide insights into what you can do better.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that being diagnosed with cancer can be physically and mentally draining for the patient. But it can be taxing for the caregiver too. So, keep the above tips in mind to make life a little easy. Also remember to check the validity of the patient’s cancer insurance and do the needful, so that you can avoid financial stress in case of an emergency.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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