|
||
|
||
|
||
|
For carers
Caring for someone can be overwhelming and exhausting. How can one person manage all this, and look after their own emotional and physical health as well? Caring is a rewarding experience, but it can also be very demanding. Sometimes carers also need help and support. It’s OK to ask for help.
Are you a carer?
Caring for a person with cancer starts as soon as a diagnosis is confirmed. When someone has cancer, there are usually family members or friends who provide physical and emotional care and support. Carers can live with the cancer patient, or provide support in other ways. Sometimes there is more than one carer. Care might be needed for a relatively short time, or over months or years.
Carers often
 provide emotional support and encouragement give practical assistance by looking after meals and day-to-day running of the household, including finances provide transport talk to doctors and health professionals with the patient look after medications and deal with side effects provide physical care.Each carer’s needs are different. Some people value help with the tasks of daily living or being given some time off. Others would like to know more about treatments and medications. Maybe you just need someone to listen to you.
You may find it helpful to look at this list of practical and financial help available in South Australia.
Find out more
Read Caring for a person with advanced cancer
Someone I know has cancer (resources for kids)
Cancerbackup UK > Someone else has cancer - provides detailed help with all aspects of caring for someone with advanced cancer and talking to someone with cancer
The Cancer Council NSW provides an online carers support service (look under Cancer support) National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre > Information for partners - outlines the issues, problems and effects of breast cancer from a man’s perspective and provides tools to deal with them National Cancer Institute > When someone you love is being treated for cancer talks about your needs as a carer
CancerNet has a great section on caregiving (look under Coping), and provides tips for carers Palliative Care Council SA provides comfort and advice about end of life issues  Top |
Info & support 
