Planning
Step 1: ‘Plan Your Path’.
Recognizing Reality of Situation
Recognizing the reality of the situation can be troubling for many people. Integrating the word 'cancer' into your world and the resulting consequences can be overwhelming and create a great deal of distress for the patient as well as the caregiver. It's so easy to feel paralyzed and not sure what to do first!
Working to see your situation clearly takes time. Mentally and emotionally adjusting to cancer diagnosis challenges isn't for the weak of heart. Making effort to 'Be Proactive & On Purpose' (BOPP) is worth it's weight in gold. So, what does this mean for you?
It means that how we think, organize, plan and communicate are essential pieces to becoming a Confident Cancer Caregiver. My passion is helping you to do all of the above so you can take pride in your role as a caregiver.
It's time to plan the next steps on your journey as much as you can. Of course, life and cancer doesn't follow the best laid plans, so adjusting and readjusting will be a huge part of your plan! Mental flexiblity is a gift and crucial for navigating the twists and turns ahead. Here are some mantras for your use.
A.) I will remember each day is a new beginning and managing my expectations is part of planning my path.
B.) Mental flexibity allows me the ability to quickly adjust to new and unexpected challenges.
Context of Caregiving
Usually unpaid and informal care to a relative or friend diagnosed with cancer
Episodic and Intense
Approximately 2 Years on Average Until Approaching Death or Remission
Remission Leads To Survivorship Related Caregiving
Cancer Caregivers May Have A Shorter Caregiving Duration, But Higher Burden
Research Shows 32.9 Hours/Week Can Be Spent Caring For Loved One
Assisting With Activities of Daily Living Such As Bathing, Eating, And Toileting Become Caregiver Tasks
Assists With Instrumental Activities of Daily Living – This Includes Shopping, Driving, Paying Bills, Managing Schedules, Maintaining Home, And Much More.
Medical Tasks - What Procedures Or Requirements Need To Be Fulfilled At Home? Tracking Temperature, Sleep Cycles, Food Journal, etc.
Keeping Loved One Safe At Home To Prevent Falls Or Other Injuries
Caregiver Often Make Work Accommodations Such As Flexible Work Hours (Coming Late, Leaving Early, FT to PT, Cutting Back Hours, Take Leave of Absence).
Support Vs Isolation
In Spite Of The Difficulties, Responsiblitites, and Learning Curve It Takes To Be A Caregiver,
Only 54% of cancer caregivers report having been asked by a health care professional what they needed to help care for the care recipient” (NAC, p. 17).
One of the major problems caregivers encounter is extremely high physical, emotional, and financial demands placed on them. This usually isn't apparent at the beginning of the caregiver's journey because the focus is on the patient. I hope to prepare you so when this phase of the journey hits, you'll be knowledgable about what to do. Take a moment and review the following scale so you can gain a sense of what your needs are, identify concerns, and prepare. Your answers can be posted on our Facebook page, introduced during the Zoom Support Group Sessions, or be a part of a more in-depth conversation during your VIP Mentorship Package with Corinne.
**“Your Preparation For Caregiving Scale”**
Let's talk about cancer's typical trajectory. Please use this only as a guide and for informational purposes as I am not a medical doctor. However, it's a wonderful way to begin to conceptualize the 'bigger' picture so you can be prepared for what the future may bring.
PATH ONE: Let's talk about how to prepare for Path One
Diagnosis – Cancer Type and Stage at Diagnosis
Aggressive Out-Patient Cancer Treatment
In-Patient Treatment/Surgery
Remission & Survival/Managed Chronic or Intermittent Disease/Treatment Failure
Path Two: Let's talk about how to prepare for Path Two
Diagnosis - Cancer Type and Stage at Diagnosis
Transitioning into Palliative Care
Hospice
Death