Caring for loved ones who has been diagnosed with cancer can be mentally and physically exhausting. Caregivers’ mental health frequently suffers during the caring process, resulting in irritation or even grief that can affect their entire day. It is natural to feel angry or agitated at times, but the negative thoughts can begin to outweigh the positive ones. This guide helps cancer caregivers to maintain their mental health despite encountering problems along the road of caregiving.
Addressing Common Caregiver Mental Challenges
Coping with Grief and Loss
Grief is common experience for caregivers, it may be anticipatory grief or grief in response to loss of loved one. It’s important to express yourself and seek support during this time. The caregivers require a proper support system. This network can include:
- Your close ones for emotional support and practical help.
- Join social groups where you can interact with other caregivers who understand your challenges.
- Maintain open communication with your loved one’s medical team. They can offer guidance and resources to support you.
- Look for local organisations that provide services for caregivers, such as respite care, counselling, and educational programs.
Dealing with Emotional Fluctuations
The journey of caregiving for someone with cancer can evoke a wide range of emotions, including anxiety, depression, anger and guilt. It’s important to acknowledge that these feelings are a natural response to a critical situation. Here are tips to cope with:
- Accept that you are not capable of doing everything perfectly. Hence, set a reasonable goal or seek assistance from others and share responsibilities to decrease your workload.
- Take regular breaks to refresh your energy. Even brief periods of rest can have a major impact. Make use of this time to relax or indulge in enjoyable activities. Additionally, prioritise self-care which includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, enough sleep, and hobbies that you enjoy.
- Learn more about your loved one’s health and treatment choices. Being knowledgeable might help you feel less anxious and more in control.
- Meditation, yoga and deep breathing exercises are all effective ways to reduce stress and increase mental clarity.
Financial Burden
Losing a job is one of the primary sources of mental stress for cancer caregivers. For some caregivers, it becomes so intensive that continuing a job is no longer feasible. Here are some of the strategies to navigate them by balancing both the roles and responsibilities.
- Approach your manager or HR department about your needs. Most workplaces are open to flexible hours or temporary leave.
- If your employer has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), see what services may be available to support you as a caregiver.
- Instead of quitting your job, consider reaching out to family or friend or even hiring a full-time nurse for support.
- If you are leaving your job, see if your employer has a continuity policy for your health coverage, or consider family floater health insurance plans. Continue to review top-up or supplementary policies to supplement current coverage.
- Check government schemes, for instance, Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) for eligible individuals.
By staying informed and proactive, caregivers can ensure that their loved ones receive the required care while also prioritising their own mental health.
-Content partner Happiest Health
