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Caregivers

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By Editorial Team

3 min read

Reviewed by: HU Medical Review Board | Last reviewed: December 2025 | Last updated: December 2025

A cancer caregiver is a loved one who helps someone with cancer. Spouses, partners, family members, and friends are often caregivers. Most caregivers are not trained for the role. It can be a meaningful role that enriches life. It can also be a demanding role with hard days.1,2

Every caregiver has a different experience. Your role may change over time. Talk to the cancer care team about supporting your loved one and yourself.1

Getting prepared: What’s next?

As a caregiver, you are part of the cancer care team. Doctors and nurses provide care in treatment centers and doctors’ offices. Caregivers provide care at home.1

You may work closely with doctors and nurses. In many cases, the caregiver knows the most about what is happening. Ask questions and take notes during doctor’s visits. Learn who is on the cancer care team and how to get in touch with them.1

Caregivers often help with:1

  • Keeping track of prescriptions and giving medications
  • Talking with doctors about your loved one’s specific needs
  • Talking with and encouraging your loved one
  • Managing side effects and reporting problems
  • Helping with day-to-day tasks, such as shopping, cooking, and cleaning
  • Keeping other loved ones up to date
  • Helping with decisions about treatment
  • Handling insurance and finances

Challenges of caring for someone with cancer

As a caregiver, you may play many roles you were not prepared for. Learning about cancer and treatments can be overwhelming. You may handle difficult medical tasks. Understanding your loved one’s specific needs can be challenging. Navigating the healthcare and insurance system is complex.1,3

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Communication can be a challenging part of caregiving. Your relationship with your loved one may change. Frustrations and disagreements can happen. Set a goal of open and honest communication. Talk to your loved one and the care team about:1,4

  • Everyone’s role in making decisions and planning treatments
  • How much to involve your loved one in daily decisions
  • When to go to doctors’ visits with your loved one
  • How much help your loved one wants with certain tasks
  • How much to involve other family members or friends
  • Each other’s fears, worries, and stresses
  • Getting consent to receive certain information from doctors
  • Which doctors to talk to about which issues

Caregiving can take your focus away from your own health. You may have less time to care for your mental and physical well-being. Many caregivers experience:5

  • Mental health issues caused by the burden and feelings of helplessness
  • Emotional distress from seeing a loved one struggling
  • Physical strain and fatigue
  • Frustration when other family members or friends are not providing support
  • Financial hardships
  • Social isolation
  • Changes to work and employment

Coping with caregiving

Keeping yourself healthy is important. It can improve your ability to care for your loved one. Some strategies that may help with coping include:6

  • Finding support groups of other caregivers
  • Taking time for hobbies
  • Doing things that help you relax
  • Maintaining exercise and a healthy diet
  • Having backup caregivers in case you need a break

Remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments as a caregiver. During hard times, think about the:6

  • Abilities you did not know you had
  • Comfort and support you bring to your loved one
  • A sense of purpose you have for your own life
  • New friends and relationships you have because of caregiving
  • Closer relationships you have with your family, because of caregiving

Talk to a mental health professional if you notice signs of anxiety or depression. This can include consistent feelings of sadness, tiredness, or irritation. A therapist or counselor can suggest ways to manage your mental health.6

Preventing caregiver burnout

Caregiving can be a heavy workload. It may consume most or all of your time. No one can be a caregiver every day for months or years. This can lead to symptoms of burnout:6

  • Lack of energy
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Anxiety or depression

Taking breaks is an important part of caregiving. Short breaks each day can help you reset. This can be a quick walk or shopping for food.6

If you cannot leave your loved one alone, talk to the cancer care team about “respite care.” This refers to short-term relief for caregivers. A respite caregiver can give you a break for your own needs. Insurance may cover some costs of respite care. Respite caregivers can:6

  • Sit with your loved one for a few hours or stay overnight
  • Get to know your loved one and their medical situation
  • Provide care at a local facility for the day or overnight
  • Offer socialization and activities for your loved one

Resources for the caregiver community

There are many resources and services available to support you. These tools, tips, and professionals can help you tackle the challenges mentioned above.7

Some resources for cancer caregivers include:8-11

  • American Cancer Society’s Caregiver Resource Guide
  • ARCH Respite Network
  • AARP: Caregiving Resource Center
  • Free support services over the phone from CancerCare, Cancer Hope Network, and others
  • National Alliance for Caregiving