Instead of telling people caring for a loved one with cancer to “be strong,” it’s more important to ask “how are you doing?”
That’s because caregivers play a critical role in the patient’s journey and often need a shoulder to lean on, says Kathleen Hardy, LMSW, oncology social worker and counselor at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Farmington Hills.
“Caregivers are the unsung heroes of cancer care,” she says. “They fulfill many needs, from scheduling appointments, handling insurance matters and preparing meals to providing transportation and child care. Caregivers can place unrealistic expectations on themselves as they take on new roles in the family.”
As a result, caregivers often feel isolated, alone and guilty for feeling overwhelmed.
“Caregivers are at increased risk of experiencing emotional, physical and mental stress,” Hardy says. “They can have anxiety or depression and their own medical problems may worsen. Today, cancer patients are living longer with chronic disease, which means caregiving can go on for years. That can make caring for a loved one particularly challenging unless caregivers take steps to meet their own needs.”
To help caregivers manage the stress of having a loved one diagnosed with cancer, Karmanos recently launched the Cancer Caregiver Community Program at its Weisberg Cancer Treatment Center in Farmington Hills. The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan made a $25,000 grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds to support the program.
Participants can take advantage of chair massages, tai chi, guided imagery, art and music therapy, support groups, stress reduction classes and individual counseling sessions. The services are free for all caregivers, even if their loved one is treated outside of Karmanos.
“Cancer not only affects people with the disease, but also the people who love and care for them,” Hardy says. “Caregivers sometimes don’t realize this and place their own needs on the back burner. At Karmanos, we do everything we can to ensure our patients have a successful outcome. This program is an opportunity to further help patients by meeting the needs of their caregivers.”
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For more information about the Cancer Caregiver Community Program, contact Kathleen Hardy at 248-538-4712 or hardyk@karmanos.org.