For Caregivers
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Caregivers — spouses, friends, children, siblings, parents or anyone helping provide care — play an important role in a cancer patient’s journey. As a caregiver, you must take care of yourself in order to support your loved one. These support resources can help.
Counseling
Find ways to care for yourself. You can choose to meet with or without the patient you’re supporting. We have counselors and chaplains ready to help.
Grief Support Groups
We offer a grief support group periodically for loved ones of patients who have died. For more information about the next session, contact chaplain Julie Perry at 434.924.2477.
Online Insomnia Study for Family of Cancer Survivors
We’re seeking people who are having trouble sleeping while supporting a family member through current or recent cancer treatment. Participants receive free access to an online insomnia treatment program and up to $80 in gift certificates. If interested, please complete the Better Sleep for Supporters with Insomnia (BeSSI) Study Interest Form.
Advance Care Planning
An advance directive form documents your healthcare planning decisions. Everyone over the age of 18 should have an advance directive. Download and print the advance directive form.
Access to Medical Records
As a caregiver, you can also request adult caregiver proxy access to another person's account by submitting an Adult Caregiver Proxy Access Form (PDF).
Blog Support 101 For Cancer Caregivers
05/19/2022
Q&A: Parents of a Childhood Cancer Survivor Share Words of Wisdom
Becoming the parents of a child cancer survivor wasn’t an easy road. Krissy and Rob share what they learned and wished they’d known at the start.
04/12/2018
Should You Shave Your Head for Cancer Solidarity? Cancer Survivors Weigh In
People living with cancer have a wide range of feelings about the gesture of voluntarily shaving your head for cancer support. Find out where your decision may fall.
01/07/2018
5 Cold and Flu Season Tips for Cancer Caregivers
If you’re caring for someone with cancer, keeping yourself healthy is crucial in order to avoid complications for your loved one going through chemo treatments or radiation. These tips can reduce your chances of getting sick this winter.
12/04/2017
5 Great Books for Cancer Caregivers
This list of books for cancer caregivers includes perspectives from caregivers and cancer patients alike.
05/18/2017
How to Support a Cancer Caregiver: Give the Gifts They Will Love
Figuring out how to support a cancer caregiver in your life takes some consideration. When making a support package, you can include items like a gift certificate to a local coffee shop or a standing coffee shop conversation.
03/26/2017
When a Parent Has Cancer, Complex Emotions Arise for Adult Children
Even when you’re a full-fledged adult, hearing a parent has cancer is devastating. Depending on your relationship, you may feel a flood of emotions. No matter what emotions come forth, what you’re feeling is both natural and manageable.
01/04/2017
When Someone’s Refusing Cancer Treatment: How to Accept Your Loved One’s Decision
Listening is the first step to understanding a loved one's choice to refuse cancer treatment. If you have a loved one refusing cancer treatment, begin by talking and listening to the reasons why.
08/15/2016
Medical Debt After Death: What You Should Know
Medical debt after death from cancer is scary but a reality. There are ways to handle this process without interrupting your grief.