As a caregiver of a person with cancer, you have stresses and demands that can feel overwhelming at times. It doesn't matter whether you are a fulltime caregiver taking time off work or a part-time caregiver with a fulltime job, the stress can feel constant. While there are growing numbers of resources and services available through your employer, there are also many avenues of help you can explore on your own, as well as simple strategies to ease the burden.
Don’t expect your employer to do it all when it comes to stress reduction for you as a caregiver. In fact, if you check out resources first, on your own, before going to your employer, he or she may be even more willing to help. For example, your church or temple group, community hospital or health plan or other organizations could be rich sources of help. Be creative in finding help and reducing the stress.
Seeking help on your own first, before approaching your employers, shows you have made an effort and taken the initiative to reduce stress and be not only a better caregiver but a better employee. Your employer then may be even more willing to meet you more than halfway on your requests to be absent from work or to make alternative work arrangements so you can better care for your loved one with cancer.
Here are some suggestions on where you might find help outside the workplace, along with suggested strategies on thinking outside the box to be a better caregiver.
Outside Resources
Help from the community
Organizations or individuals within your community or in your church, temple or charity group might be untapped sources of help. If you are a well-known member of your temple or church, people may begin to pitch in as soon as news of your loved one's diagnosis spreads. They might offer to take your loved one to the doctor or for chemotherapy treatments or for other appointments. They may have been through a similar experience, caring for someone with cancer, Alzheimer's disease or other serious conditions and just be able to empathize or reassure you that you will be able to handle everything. Beyond the offers of personal help, you might also ask about other sources of aid. For instance, is there a group that might provide hot meals, such as delivering lunch to your loved one at home while you are at work?
