Resources for Caregivers
The Caregiver Role is Essential
Cancer treatment and recovery can often be nearly as mentally and physically taxing for caregivers as it is for patients. And the truth is, patients cannot do it alone. Your role as the caregiver is extremely valuable and whether or not it is immediately acknowledged, deeply appreciated. The information and resources provided here are meant to help you prepare and maintain a sense of dignity, control and stability throughout the recovery process.
What to Expect
Reviewing the Key Patient Insights with the patient prior to or following prostate cancer treatment will help you both prepare for the recovery process ahead. It is our goal to give you insight into the range of issues to look and listen for as the patient moves through the different phases of recovery. This includes everything from managing stress (the patients and your own), to recovery hygiene, to establishing a physical therapy and exercise routine.
Preparing the Living Space
Setting up the patients primary living space and obtaining the supplies they will need, prior to treatment, will lead to less stress for both the caregiver and patient when returning from the hospital. The Recovery Checklist we've prepared aims to make this preparation process easier.
If you are missing any of the items on the list from your medicine cabinet, we welcome you to visit the ThruCancer Recovery Shop where many of the items flagged with an (*) are available for your convenience. Items are competitively priced, so you can save time, energy and money and check everything off your list today.
Caregiver Links
Common Complications and Concerns After Surgery
VeryWellHealth highlights potential problems to be on the look out post-treatment.
When in doubt, do not hesitate to contact your medical provider!!!
Understanding the Cancer Experience When You’re a Caregiver
One of the first steps after being told someone you love has cancer will be learning about their diagnosis. This Cancer.org resource helps you understand the disease process and provides guidance on the first questions that you and the patient should be asking the doctor and/or the cancer care team.
Making Health Decisions as a Cancer Caregiver
This Cancer.org resource helps loved ones and caregivers navigate the sometimes challenging decision making landscape.
Caring for someone with incontinence
Many family members and friends find caring for a person with incontinence to be one of the most difficult aspects of caring. Incontinence can be unpredictable, add dramatically to your workload and be very costly. Many carers report feeling angry, frustrated, lonely, and not coping as they try to manage alone. The Continence Foundation of Australia website offers practical information to assist you in your care.
Top 10 Items You Should Have at Home After a Surgery
Making Your Home 'Recovery Ready'
A little time spent getting your home ready before surgery can make a big difference in your recovery. This article includes some helpful hints for around the house.
Getting your home ready - after the hospital
Getting your home ready after you have been in the hospital often requires much preparation. This article from Medline provides ideas on how patients can remain safe and healthy in their home after treatment.
Follow-Up Care for Prostate Cancer
To help doctors provide their patients with the highest quality care, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) issued an endorsement of a guideline developed in 2014 by the American Cancer Society. This guideline provides recommendations for follow-up care for men who have received treatment for prostate cancer.
