A caregiver plays a crucial role in helping a patient through BMT and recovery. As difficult as it sometimes seems, this role is a key component of a full and safe recovery.

Click on the following links to learn more about the caregiving process. This includes what your role will be as a caregiver, what to expect, and how to cope with a wide variety of feelings. Our social workers are also available to meet with you to provide additional support.

Becoming a caregiver

Caregiver self-assessement

Caregiver contract for autologous BMT

Caregiver contract for allogeneic BMT

Caregiver role and expectations

Caregiver role changes

Creating and noticing positive experiences

Taking care of your own emotional well-being

Using the University of Minnesota Rec Center


Being a caregiver for a person who’s having a BMT can be a lifechanging event. If you have offered to be a caregiver, you will be helping someone you care about in a way that may lead to personal growth and added closeness. You will need to learn to perform various physical tasks. You also will need to take care of yourself emotionally and physically while trying to support the patient whose emotions can fluctuate a great deal after this major procedure. Click here from information on taking care of your emotional well-being and dealing with your feelings while you are a caregiver.

Prepare yourself in advance for the caregiver role. If your loved one or spouse is the patient, it is natural for you to become the caregiver. It is probably something you want to do. But you should be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses. Take a few minutes to take the Self-Assessment for Caregivers to help you take a look at your strengths and goals as you plan for your caregiver role.  The assessment can also help you identify areas where you will need help. Be sure to ask for help when you need it. You will be called on to provide emotional support, practical tasks, and simple medical procedures for the patient. Get help with these things in whatever way best supports your efforts.

Caregiving requires a significant time commitment. The patient needs help at many different times, for everything from driving to appointments to preparing meals. As your loved one recovers, the time commitment should ease. But for many weeks you may need to devote most of the day to the patient’s needs. A caregiver’s tasks include:

• Providing emotional support and encouragement
• Going with the patient to appointments
• Communicating with transplant team members and gathering information
• Assisting with the scheduled oral and intravenous medicines after hospital discharge
• Keeping track of the medicines taken after hospital discharge
• Keeping an eye on the patient’s condition and identifying any changes or new symptoms
• Caring for the patient's central venous catheter
• Knowing what to do in an emergency
• Calling for medical help when needed
• Communicating with other family members and friends
  Keeping a clean and comfortable home environment
• Helping to prepare or provide meals for the patient
• Providing transportation to and from the treatment center or clinic
• Helping with medical and hospital bills, insurance paperwork, and financial planning for the family
  

How can caregivers take care of themselves?
Being a caregiver can shift your role. Caregivers become extremely knowledgeable and attentive to the tasks that they perform for their loved ones. They are often separated from their children or family during the transplant. Preparing for this will be helpful to the whole family.

Being a caregiver for your loved one is demanding. It can shift your primary role to that of medical caregiver. Caregiving is a demanding job, one that can’t be done well if you’re stressed and tired. There are things you can do to take care of yourself.

• The more you know, the more comfortable you’re likely to be with the role. Take advantage of the classes and training offered by the transplant program.
• Make sure you take some time for yourself. Get away from the hospital or house once in awhile. Talk with friends. Go to a movie or take a long walk.
• Turn to other people for help when appropriate. Even if you are the main caregiver, other friends and relatives may be able to help with such things as preparing meals or providing transportation.
• Communicate openly and honestly with the patient about your needs as well as his or her needs.
• Take advantage of available resources, such as transplant program support groups, your social worker, or a chaplain or other spiritual adviser.