Care Partner Support

Care partners (caregivers) are the unsung heroes in healthcare that help with the care of a loved
one diagnosed with cancer. A care partner may take on many roles such as:

In addition to normal day-to-day responsibilities, care partners may also:

  • Coordinate overall care of a loved one
  • Arrange appointments
  • Manage insurance, financial, and legal issues
  • Communicate with the healthcare team
  • Provide transportation
  • Provide emotional support
  • Assist with decision-making
  • Manage and track symptoms, medications and side effects

Build a Caregiving Community

Don’t do this alone! Building a caregiving community is a crucial step in
overcoming the stress and challenges you may experience.

  • Call a family meeting, which may include relatives, friends and/or neighbors, who can lend assistance with some of your caregiving tasks. Make a list of your specific needs, along with a shared calendar, so that as a caregiving team, you can divide and conquer.
  • Find your circle of support. Lean on the power of a peer network for support, who can relate to your experiences and share invaluable wisdom. This can help alleviate feelings of isolation and give you a forum to share your emotions with people just like you, whether in person or online.
  • Your support network doesn’t always have to be cancer related. Get out for coffee or lunch with friends, and catch up on life beyond cancer. Early on, you may receive support from friends and family as they hear the news about cancer. Over time, you may not hear from them as often, feel you’re too busy, and/or feel guilty leaving a loved one alone. Isolation is detrimental to your soul so make the time to connect.
Top 10 Tips for Care Partners

Top 10 Tips for Care Partners

There will be good days and bad days, and hopefully the
recommendations we’ve compiled from other care partners, who have
been in your shoes, will help!

Resources and Support

There are many resources to help you in your role as a care partner, including tips and education
about caregiving at home and the hospital, hiring home care services, long distance caregiving, and
caring for a parent as a young adult. To access these resources and/or obtain support. please visit
Health Match, by clicking on one of the icons below.

I was very
concerned about
where to get answers,
and being organized

when my wife was diagnosed with cancer. I
managed her care—from keeping track of her
complicated medication schedules and
symptoms to coordinating appointments,
medical bills, and getting answers when we
needed them. The Planner was a lifesaver and it
made our experience much easier. C101 is a
much needed tool for anyone touched by cancer.”
Damon K., Care Partner of wife with
Colorectal Cancer, Birmingham, AL

Care partners (caregivers) are the unsung heroes in healthcare that help with the care of a loved one diagnosed with cancer. A care partner may take on many roles such as:

In addition to normal day-to-day responsibilities, care partners may also:

  • Coordinate overall care of a loved one
  • Arrange appointments
  • Manage insurance, financial, and legal issues
  • Communicate with the healthcare team
  • Provide transportation
  • Provide emotional support
  • Assist with decision-making
  • Manage and track symptoms, medications and side effects

Build a Caregiving Community

Don’t do this alone! Building a caregiving community is a crucial step in overcoming the stress and challenges of caregiving.

  • Call a family meeting, which may include relatives, friends and/or neighbors, who can lend assistance with some of your caregiving tasks. Make a list of your specific needs, along with a shared calendar, so that as a caregiving team, you can divide and conquer.
  • Find your circle of support. Lean on the power of a peer network for support, who can relate to your experiences and share invaluable wisdom. This can help alleviate feelings of isolation and give you a forum to share your emotions with people just like you, whether in person or online.
  • Your support network doesn’t always have to be cancer related. Get out for coffee or lunch with friends, and catch up on life beyond cancer. Early on, you may receive support from friends and family as they hear the news about cancer. Over time, you may not hear from them as often, feel you’re too busy, and/or feel guilty leaving a loved one alone. Isolation is detrimental to your soul so make the time to connect.
Top 10 Tips for Care Partners

Top 10 Tips for Care Partners

There will be good days and bad days, and hopefully the
recommendations we’ve compiled from other care partners, who have
been in your shoes, will help!

Resources and Support

There are many resources to help you in your role as a care partner, including tips and education
about caregiving at home and the hospital, hiring home care services, long distance caregiving, and
caring for a parent as a young adult. To access these resources and/or obtain support. please visit
Health Match, by clicking on one of the icons below.