10 Tips for Caregivers of Stage 3 Lung Cancer Patients
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Sarah Handzel, BSN, RN on April 3, 2021
-
Supporting a Patient Through Their Cancer JourneyCaregivers are an essential part of the cancer care team. If a loved one is diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer, you may choose to help them as they receive advanced lung cancer treatment. But while it’s easy to get caught up in your caregiving role, it’s also important to care for yourself. These tips for caregivers of stage 3 lung cancer patients can help you provide the support your loved one needs while also maintaining your health.
-
1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.It’s easy to get overwhelmed if you’re caring for someone with cancer. Doctor’s appointments, treatment sessions, financial concerns, and fluctuations in your loved one’s health are all sources of stress, for the patient and for you. It’s important to have your own support system while caring for someone else. Leaning on friends, family, or others, like clergy members, can help you de-stress so you can continue to support the patient.
-
-
2. Get more information.Stage 3 lung cancer is a complex disease. It can be very beneficial to learn more about the condition, including what symptoms your loved one may have, common advanced lung cancer treatments, and what the typical prognosis, or outlook, is for someone with the disease. Learning more about stage 3 lung cancer helps you play a more active and knowledgeable caregiving role focused on helping your loved one through this difficult experience.
-
3. Accept your loved one’s limitations.In many cases, people living with stage 3 lung cancer receive a combination of treatments, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and possibly surgery. But these treatments may cause side effects, like extreme fatigue, which limit their ability to function as they normally would. Accepting the limitations your loved one may experience is helpful for preserving your own emotional and mental health. And as treatment progresses, keep in mind that your caregiving role may change if the patient’s limitations increase.
-
4. Find activities you both enjoy.People receiving treatment for stage 3 lung cancer often can’t enjoy the activities they once did. As a caregiver, you can help the patient stay connected through meaningful activities that give you both pleasure. Games, arts and crafts, watching a favorite TV program, or quietly reading together can all provide a sense of enjoyment for you and your loved one. Plus, these types of activities can help boost the patient’s mood throughout their treatment journey.
-
5. Stay active.Exercise isn’t just beneficial for staying physically fit. Research shows that regular exercise can help boost your mood, improve your sleep, and give you more energy to get through the day. Exercise is also a great way to reduce stress, which may be increased during the process of caregiving. The average adult should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderately difficult aerobic activity each week, but any exercise is better than none.
-
-
6. Try to stick to your routine.Caring for someone with cancer can easily disrupt your normal routine. Whenever possible, try to include some of your normal daily activities into your day. This may mean getting some things done at a different time of day, or doing them for less time than is normal for you. But keeping some things the same in your daily life can help you regain a sense of control and stay positive as you help someone through cancer.
-
7. Know when to ask for help.Many cancer caregivers try to do everything for the patient. But in reality, it’s impossible for one person to handle each and every aspect of a cancer patient’s care. It’s okay to ask for help—if other people can cook meals, let them. If another person volunteers to take the patient to their scheduled appointments, accept the help. Caregiving is truly a team effort, and the more people that participate, the less likely you are to feel burnt out.
-
8. Take a break.Speaking of feeling burnt out, it’s also important to take breaks from caregiving to focus on your own needs. You may be able to set up a rotating schedule with other caregivers so that no one person is doing everything every day. Also, you may be able to arrange respite care through various clinical organizations within your community. Respite care gives you a break while professionals care for your loved one.
-
9. Process your feelings.It’s normal to feel sad, angry, depressed, anxious, and overwhelmed when thinking about your caregiving role. To help maintain your mental and emotional health, it’s important to process your feelings. You can do this by sharing how you feel with close friends or family members, or by scheduling quiet time for yourself. Or, you may choose to visit with a licensed professional therapist. Whatever you decide, finding an outlet for feelings and thoughts is essential for your own wellbeing.
-
10. Join a support group.You may think support groups are only for people living with cancer, but that isn’t true. There are many support groups available just for caregivers. These groups meet online, in person, and, in some cases, over the telephone to help you cope with your caregiving role. Other people who know exactly what you’re going through can listen, share their experiences, and offer suggestions to help make caregiving for stage 3 lung cancer easier.
Caregiving for Stage 3 Lung Cancer | Advanced Lung Cancer Treatment