Tips, Websites & Books

Unlocking Knowledge and Resources

Being a caregiver to a loved one can be one of the most challenging experiences as well as one of the most rewarding experiences someone can have.

Having support is vital for caregivers to remain emotionally and physically healthy. The suggestions below are to help you stay healthy! Remember, these are only suggestions, and you are the expert on what works (and doesn't work) for you. In other words, utilize the information you need and leave the rest.

Tips

• Be gentle with yourself. Be patient with and kind to yourself.
• Assess what you need and seek resources (people organizations and information) that can help meet your needs.
• Take care of your emotional health and physical health needs.
• Find a hermit spot. Use it daily!
• Remember that in the light of all the pain we see, we are bound to feel helpless at times. Admit it without shame. Caring and being there are sometimes more important that doing.
• Change your routine often and your tasks when you can.
• On the way home, focus on a good thing that occurred during the day.
• Be flexible.
• Schedule times to "withdraw" during the week. Limit interruptions.
• If you never say no, what is your "yes" worth?
• Saying yes to something is saying no to something else (usually something for you)
• Let go of perfectionism, fixing, and worry.
• LAUGH AND PLAY!

Websites

The list of web links are primarily based on information regarding the caregiver; however, a few of the sites provide links to resources for the patient in which the caregiver may need to access.

• American Cancer Society
• BreastCancer.org
• Cancer Care
• Caregiver Survival Resources
• Family Caregiver Alliance.
• Guide To Human Services
• Hospice of Acadiana
• National Family Caregivers Association
• Today's Caregiver Magazine Online

Books

Miles Perret Cancer Services has a resource library which allows patients, friends, and family members to check out books for a month. Here is a list of books available in our library on caregiving. These were recommend by other caregivers, and they are available for you to check out.

• "Caregiving" by American Cancer Society
• "Caring for the Patient with Cancer at Home" by American Cancer Society
• "Guide to Home Caregiving" by American Medical Association
• "Caregiving" by Beth McLeod
• "Facing Cancer Together" by Pamela N. Brown
• "Share The Care" by Cappy Capossela
• "Couples Confronting Cancer" by Joy L. Fincannon
• "Cancer and the Family Caregiver" by Ora Gilbar
• "May I Walk You Home?" by Joyce Hutchison
• "The Home Care Companion's Quick Tips for Caregivers" by Marion Karpinski
• "Caregiver Therapy" by Julie Kuebelbeck
• "Walking Through the Waters" by Nancy Regensburger
• "A Caregiver's Survival Guide" by Kay Marshall Strom