Cancer Caregiver Support and Education

Caring Men is dedicated to providing an education and support system for men looking to become caregivers for someone in their family. Our cancer caregiver education equips caregivers with the information, resources, and training needed to become caring, compassionate, and knowledgeable throughout their caregiving responsibilities.

We also provide cancer caregiver support for those who take on this rewarding, yet taxing, role. If you identify as a man whose loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, or know someone in this role, turn to Caring Men to learn more about the resources we provide.

What is Caregiving 101?

Caregiving 101 is a collection of valuable resources, topics, and websites for caregivers to explore.
● Caring For a Loved One with Cancer includes materials for everyday tasks and essential considerations to keep in mind as you begin your new role as a caregiver.
● Care for the Caregiver offers specific information about caring for yourself as a caregiver and preventing burnout.
● The section Cancer & the Family acknowledges that a cancer diagnosis affects the whole family and provides guidance on navigating this changing dynamic.
● Cancer & Sexuality explores the effect of cancer on intimacy, and Male Caregivers includes discussions on the vital yet underrecognized role of male caregivers.
● Finally, Helpful Caregiving Organizations & Resources lists additional websites and references that support cancer caregivers.

If you, or someone you know, could benefit from the resources listed above, be sure to reach out to Caring Men to learn more about cancer caregiver education. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you can stay in the loop for any upcoming events and new information and resources. For any other questions, comments, or concerns, reach out to us via our contact form.

We look forward to connecting with you and providing you with the resources you need as you become a cancer caregiver.

Caring For a Loved One with Cancer

 
The Caregiver Support Video Series - American Cancer Society
These videos provide training for caregivers managing day-to-day cancer patient needs, including medication and pain management, dealing with side effects, self-care, advocacy, and sharing caregiver stories.
 
Caregiver Resource Guide - American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society Caregiver Resource Guide is a valuable tool for cancer caregivers. This guide provides essential information on caring for your loved one and yourself during this challenging time.
 
What a Cancer Caregiver Does - American Cancer Society
This webpage from ACS provides an overview of what it means to be a
cancer giver, including tips for making health decisions, empathizing with the patient with cancer, and understanding financial considerations.
 
Tips for Caregivers - Cancer Treatment Centers of America
The webpage, “Tips for caregivers,” discusses how to balance your role as a caregiver with other demands, managing burnout, advice for staying organized, and more.
 
AARP has a database to connect caregivers with services and assistance programs organized by state.
 
Cancer.net hosts various pages about caregiving basics, taking care of oneself, hiring home care services, caring for a parent as a young adult, and much more.
 
Support for Caregivers of Cancer Patients includes advice on assisting loved ones with advanced cancer, offering long-distance caregiving support, and including family members.
 
Caregivers - CancerCare
This site connects caregivers and patients to a larger community. The Cancer Support Community’s caregiver page offers advice on navigating caregiving roles, understanding treatments, and having difficult conversations by providing online guides and videos.

Care for the Caregiver

Taking Care of Yourself as a Caregiver - American Cancer Society
This resource highlights the importance of caring for yourself as a caregiver,
continuing to plan things you enjoy, recognizing signs of burnout, and finding
professional help as needed.
 
FCA provides statistics about the mental and physical demands caregivers face and educate caregivers on managing stress, asking for / accepting help, starting to exercise, and more.
 
Caring for the Caregiver - Senior Navigator
The site links to a wide selection of articles, books, and guides for caregivers,
as well as programs and services for caregivers based in Virginia.

Cancer & the Family

Talking to Kids about Cancer - Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Breaking the news about a diagnosis to children can be a challenge. This
resource includes how to talk to kids about cancer at different ages and how to understand their potential responses.
 
When Your Child Has Cancer - American Cancer Society
It can be devastating to learn that one’s child or teen has cancer. This page offers assistance on numerous topics, such as coping with the diagnosis, handling financial and insurance issues, and managing treatment.
 
The “Your Stories” podcast series includes candid discussions between patients and loved ones, current cancer research, and reflections from those who have lost loved ones to cancer.
 
This series offers numerous guides about helping children deal with cancer- related issues, such as explaining a diagnosis or treatment or handling grief due to the loss of a parent.
 
The web page covers various topics, including how cancer affects family life and how children understand cancer.
 

Families & Caregiving - Senior Navigator

“Families & Caregiving” links to resources about family conversations, family dynamics, kinship care, and grandparents raising grandchildren.

Cancer & Sexuality

Self-Image and Sexuality - National Cancer Institute
Cancer can impact one’s self-image. This page offers insights into body changes during and after treatment, impacts on sex life, and dating.
 
This guide describes potential changes to sex drive, sexual function, and body image a patient with cancer may face during and after cancer treatment, how to talk to one’s cancer care team, and advice for caregivers.
 
Intimacy during Cancer Care - Cancer Treatment Centers of America
A cancer diagnosis can strain intimate relationships. “Intimacy during Cancer Care” includes potential sexuality issues for women and men with cancer and how to maintain intimacy with one’s partner.

Male Caregivers

For Male Caregivers - UNC Health Care
Men sometimes face unique challenges in their roles as caregivers. This site gives practical advice about caregiving for men, helpful resources, and wellness tips.
 
This guide tells the personal story of a male caregiver who struggled to find support while caring for his wife with breast cancer and offers tips for men providing care to loved ones.
 
The article “Men are Caregivers, Too” provides an overview of the rising number of male caregivers and the challenges and benefits of the caregiving role.
 
This site describes how some men may approach caregiving differently than many female caregivers and advice for balancing competing demands, such as engaging the services of an elder care agency.
 
The article “The Hidden Male Caregiver” gives an overview of the AARP report, "Breaking Stereotypes: Spotlight on Male Family Caregivers," describing issues that male caregivers often face.

CANCER & END OF LIFE

Caregiving at the end of life includes practical and emotional considerations as you and your loved ones face this challenge.

 

This resource offers considerations for caregivers when their loved ones are near the end of life, such as creating a peaceful atmosphere, looking after yourself, and listening to their loved one’s wishes.
 
Coping With the Loss of a Loved One - American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society offers support on managing grief during end-of-life and bereavement, such as how to cope with loss, get professional help, and what to say to those who are grieving.
 
While people frequently use the terms “hospice” and “palliative” synonymously, there are key differences. Vitas Healthcare defines hospice care as “compassionate comfort care” when curative care options are no longer available, whereas palliative care seeks to provide physical and mental relief from one’s illness from diagnosis to end of life.
 
Types of Advance Directives - American Cancer Society
This American Cancer Society describes the main types of advance directives, including the Living Will and Medical Power of Attorney, and what to consider when writing them.
 
All too often, “people assume their loved ones will know what to do ‘when the time comes,’ but data show few Americans have had detailed conversations about their wishes for end-of-life care.” Writing an advance directive ensures that you and your loved one’s wishes will be honored. This guide provides step-by-step assistance on how to create one.