About-cancer/coping/caregiver-support/zh

對癌症患者看護者的支持

如果您正在通過癌症治療幫助家人或朋友，那麼您就是保姆。 這可能意味著幫助日常活動，例如去看醫生或做飯。 這也可能意味著協調服務和護理。 也可能是在情感和精神上給予支持。

以下提示適用於大多數癌症護理人員。 但是，對於患有晚期癌症的護理人員，治療結束後的護理人員，有兒童癌症的父母以及有家庭成員癌症的青少年，還有更多詳細信息可用。

與照顧者打交道

在這段時間內給予照顧和支持可能是一個挑戰。 許多護理人員將他們自己的需求和感受放在一邊，專注於癌症患者。 這可能很難長期維持，並且對您的健康不利。 壓力會同時影響身體和心理。 如果您不照顧自己，那麼您將無法照顧別人。 對所有人來說，照顧自己很重要。

有關更多信息，請參閱《愛心人士正接受癌症治療時的NCI手冊》。

改變角色

無論您是年輕還是年長，您都可能會扮演看護者的新角色。 您可能曾經是某人生活中的活躍部分，但也許現在他們已經成為癌症患者，因此您對他們的支持方式有所不同。 可能是因為您沒有太多經驗，或者感覺比以前更強烈。 儘管現在看護對您來說感覺很新，但許多看護者說，他們在經歷親人的癌症經歷時會學到更多。 他們描述的常見情況：

• 患者可能只對照顧他們的配偶或伴侶感到舒服

• 帶孩子的照顧者也很難照顧父母

• 家長可以有一個很難接受幫助，從他們的成年子女

• 照顧者發現很難在照顧親人和工作職責之間取得平衡

• 患有癌症的成年孩子可能不想依靠父母照顧

• 照顧者本身可能會有健康問題，因此很難在身體和情感上照顧其他人

無論您現在擔任什麼角色，這一次通常都會感到困惑和壓力。 如果可以，請嘗試與他人或加入支持小組分享您的感受。或者你可以選擇尋求一個輔導員的幫助。

媽媽一直是家庭中的磐石。 現在幾乎就像我們是父母，而她是孩子。 這很難，因為我們有自己的孩子要照顧和工作。

-布萊恩

請求幫忙

許多護理人員說，回頭看，他們對自己承擔了太多。 或者，他們希望自己早點尋求朋友或家人的幫助。 誠實地了解您可以做什麼和不能做什麼。 您需要什麼或想做自己的事情？ 您可以完成哪些任務或與他人共享？ 樂於放棄別人可以幫助您的事情。 一些示例可能是：

• 幫助做家務，例如做飯，打掃衛生，購物或做院子工作

• 照顧孩子或從學校或活動中接孩子

• 驅使您所愛的人去約會或買藥

• 成為保持他人最新狀態的聯繫人

接受他人的幫助並不總是那麼容易。 但是請記住，為自己尋求幫助也可以幫助您所愛的人–您可以保持健康，您所愛的人可能對自己所做的一切感到內，某些幫手可能會提供有用的技能，並有額外的時間奉獻給他人 您。 SignUpGeniusExit免責聲明或Lotsa幫助手退出免責聲明等網站可以幫助您組織請求和任務。

為某些人做好準備，以幫助他們

當某人患有嚴重疾病時，朋友和家人經常伸出援手。 有時，您不太了解的人也想幫忙。 但重要的是要意識到，有些人可能無法幫助您。 您可能想知道為什麼當您與他人打交道時，有人不願意提供幫助。 一些常見的原因是：

• 有些人可能正在解決自己的問題

• 有些人可能沒有時間

• 他們害怕癌症，或者可能已經有不良的癌症經歷。 他們不想捲入並再次感到痛苦

• 有些人認為當人們掙扎時最好保持距離

• 有時人們沒有意識到事情對您來說真的有多難。 否則，除非您直接向他們尋求幫助，否則他們不知道您需要幫助

• 有些人感到尷尬，因為他們不知道如何表達自己的關心

如果某人沒有為您提供所需的幫助，則可能需要與他們交談並解釋您的需求。 或者，您也可以放手。 但是，如果這種關係很重要，您可能想告訴對方您的感受。 這可以幫助防止積怨或壓力增加。 從長遠來看，這些感覺可能會損害您的關係。

照顧好自己

所有家庭護理人員都需要支持。 但由於您不是癌症患者，您可能會覺得您的需求現在並不重要。 否則，您就沒有時間了。 您可能已經習慣於照顧其他人，因此很難改變重點。 但是，照顧自己的需求，希望和欲望可以使您擁有繼續前進所需要的力量。 （當您愛的人因癌症接受治療時，請參閱手冊中的看護者權利法案：對看護者的支持。）

照顧自己的方法 花時間充實自己的思想，身體和精神可以幫助您成為更好的照料者。 您可能需要考慮以下幾點：

Make Time for Yourself

• Find Time to Relax. Take at least 15-30 minutes each day to do something for yourself. For example, try to make time for a nap, exercise, yard work, a hobby, watching tv or a movie, or whatever you find relaxing. Do gentle exercises, such as stretching or yoga. Or, take deep breaths or just sit still for a minute. See Learning to Relax.
• Don't Neglect Your Personal Life. Cut back on personal activities, but do not cut them out entirely. For example, look for easy ways to connect with friends.
• Keep Up Your Routine. If you can, try to keep doing some of your regular activities. If you don't, studies show that it can increase the stress you feel. You may have to do things at a different time of day or for less time than you normally would, but try to still do them.
• Ask for Help. Find larger chunks of "off-duty" time by asking for help. Find things others can do or arrange for you, such as appointments or errands.

Understand your Feelings

Giving yourself an outlet for your own thoughts and feelings is important. Think about what would help lift your spirits. Would talking with others help ease your load? Or would you rather have quiet time by yourself? Maybe you need both, depending on what's going on in your life. It's helpful for you and others to know what you need.

You may also be able to find some comfort by reading the Feelings section of our website. See if any of them relate to you and what you can do for support.

Join a Support Group

Support groups can meet in person, by phone, or online. They may help you gain new insights into what is happening, get ideas about how to cope, and help you know that you're not alone. In a support group, people may talk about their feelings, trade advice, and try to help others who are dealing with the same kinds of issues. Some people like to go and just listen. And others prefer not to join support groups at all. Some people aren't comfortable with this kind of sharing.

If you can't find a group in your area, try a support group online. Some caregivers say websites with support groups have helped them a lot.

Learn More about Cancer

Sometimes understanding your cancer patient’s medical situation can make you feel more confident and in control. For example, you may want to know more about his stage of cancer. It may help you to know what to expect during treatment, such as the tests and procedures that will be done, as well as the side effects that will result.

Talk to Others about What You're Going Through

Studies show that talking with other people about what you're dealing with is very important to most caregivers. It's especially helpful when you feel overwhelmed or want to say things that you can't say to your loved one with cancer. Try to find someone you can really open up to about your feelings or fears.

You may want to talk with someone outside your inner circle. Some caregivers find it helpful to talk to a counselor, such as a social worker, psychologist, or leader in their faith or spiritual community. These types of experts may be able to help you talk about things that you don't feel you can talk about with friends or family. They can also help you find ways to express your feelings and learn ways to cope that you hadn't thought of before.

Connect with Your Loved One with Cancer

Cancer may bring you and your loved one closer together than ever before. Often people become closer as they face challenges together. If you can, take time to share special moments with one another. Try to gain strength from all you are going through together, and what you have dealt with so far. This may help you move toward the future with a positive outlook and feelings of hope.

Write in a Journal

Research shows that writing or journaling can help relieve negative thoughts and feelings. And it may actually help improve your own health. You might write about your most stressful experiences. Or you may want to express your deepest thoughts and feelings. You can also write about things that make you feel good, such as a pretty day or a kind coworker or friend.

Look for the Positive

It can be hard finding positive moments when you're busy caregiving. It also can be hard to adjust to your role as a caregiver. Caregivers say that looking for the good things in life and feeling gratitude help them feel better. And know that it's okay to laugh, even when your loved one is in treatment. In fact, it's healthy. Laughter releases tension and makes you feel better. Keeping your sense of humor in trying times is a good coping skill.

Be Thankful

You may feel thankful that you can be there for your loved one. You may be glad for a chance to do something positive and give to another person in a way you never knew you could. Some caregivers feel that they've been given the chance to build or strengthen a relationship. This doesn't mean that caregiving is easy or stress-free. But finding meaning in caregiving can make it easier to manage.

Caring for Your Body

When I get home from class, my mom and I take turns running while one of us stays with my dad. My run is my time for me, and the only way I can keep it together. -Gail

You may find yourself so busy and concerned about your loved one that you don't pay attention to your own physical health. But it's very important that you take care of your health, too. Doing so will give you strength to help others. It's important to:

• Stay up-to-date with your medical needs

Keep up with your own checkups, screenings, and other appointments.

• Watch for signs of depression or anxiety

Stress can cause many different feelings or body changes. But if they last for more than two weeks, talk to your doctor.

• Take your medicine as prescribed

Ask your doctor to give you a large prescription to save trips to the pharmacy. Find out if your grocery store or pharmacy delivers.

• Try to eat healthy meals

Eating well will help you keep up your strength. If your loved one is in the hospital or has long doctor's appointments, bring easy-to-prepare food from home. For example, sandwiches, salads, or packaged foods and canned meats fit easily into a lunch container.

• Get enough rest

Listening to soft music or doing breathing exercises may help you fall asleep. Short naps can energize you if you aren't getting enough sleep. Be sure to talk with your doctor if lack of sleep becomes an ongoing problem.

• Exercise

Walking, swimming, running, or bike riding are only a few ways to get your body moving. Any kind of exercise (including working in the garden, cleaning, mowing, or going up stairs) can help you keep your body healthy. Finding at least 15-30 minutes a day to exercise may make you feel better and help manage your stress.

New stresses and daily demands often add to any health problems caregivers already have. And if you are sick or have an injury that requires you to be careful, it's even more important that you take care of yourself. Here are some changes caregivers often have:

• fatigue (feeling tired)
• weaker immune system (poor ability to fight off illness)
• sleep problems
• slower healing of wounds
• higher blood pressure
• changes in appetite or weight
• headaches
• anxiety, depression, or other mood changes

Long-Distance Caregiving It can be really tough to be away from a loved one who has cancer. You may feel like you're a step behind in knowing what is happening with his or her care. Yet even if you live far away, it's possible for you to give support and be a problem-solver and care coordinator.

Caregivers who live more than an hour away from their loved ones most often rely on the telephone or email as their communication link. But either of these methods can be rather limiting when trying to assess someone's needs. Aside from true medical emergencies, long-distance caregivers often need to judge whether situations can be dealt with over the phone or require an in-person visit.

Finding Contacts Near Your Loved One

Develop a relationship with one or two key members of the health care team, such as a social worker or patient educator. It may help you feel more at ease to have direct contact with someone involved in the medical care of your loved one. Also, many long-distance caregivers say that it helps to explore both paid and volunteer support. Ways you can do this are:

• Create a list of people who live near your loved one whom you could call day or night in a crisis or just to check in.
• Look into volunteer visitors, adult day care centers, or meal delivery services in the area.
• Make a list of web sites in your loved one's area to give you quick access to resources.
• Ask if the hospital keeps visitor information packets that list area agencies and contacts.
• Remember to share a list of home, work, and cell phone numbers with the health care team. You should also give this to others who are local in case of an emergency.

Other Tips

• Ask a local family member or friend to update you daily by email. Or, consider creating a web site to share news about your loved one's condition and needs. There are a number of sites available. Examples are Caring BridgeExit Disclaimer and Lotsa Helping HandsExit Disclaimer.

• Sign up for online ways to connect with people. Programs using video and instant messaging to communicate are very common. For example, Skype and FaceTime are ways people connect from a distance.

• Airlines or bus lines may have special deals for patients or family members. The hospital social worker may also know of other resources, such as private pilots, advocacy organizations, or companies that help people with cancer and their families with transportation.

• If you are traveling to see your loved one, time your flights or drives so that you have time to rest when you return. Many long-distance caregivers say that they don't allow themselves enough time to rest after their visits.

• Consider getting a phone card from a discount store to cut down on long-distance bills. Or, review your long-distance and cell phone plans. See if you can make any changes that would reduce your bills.