Dr. Allison Applebaum, founder of the Caregivers Clinic at MSK, shares practical advice for cancer caregivers, including navigating the healthcare system and managing intense emotions like anger and grief. She discusses the profound meaning that can be found in the experience of being a cancer caregiver.
Caregivers play a crucial role in patient advocacy and well-being, requiring support and training for effective care management.
Managing intense caregiving emotions like anger, grief, and guilt through cognitive restructuring and finding personal meaning in the caregiving experience.
Deep dives
The Crucial Role of Caregivers in Healthcare
Caregivers serve as the long term care system in the United States, with about 53 million Americans undertaking this role. They act as advocates for patients, ensuring their well-being by being their eyes, ears, and voice. Despite their importance, caregivers often lack support and struggle to openly discuss the challenges and emotions involved.
Navigating the Healthcare System as a Caregiver
Caregivers are encouraged to ask questions and seek training to understand and handle medical responsibilities effectively. The Caregiver Advise Record Enable (CARE) Act emphasizes training for caregivers before a patient's discharge from the hospital. Caregivers are advised to request demonstrations from healthcare professionals to feel confident in managing care tasks at home.
Addressing Emotions and Finding Meaning in Caregiving
Caregivers experience a range of emotions like anger, resentment, and guilt, which are normal and should be normalized rather than judged. Cognitive restructuring techniques help caregivers change their perspectives on challenging situations. Finding meaning in caregiving involves connecting with one's authentic self, recognizing the value of personal traits beyond the caregiving role, and addressing societal norms that undervalue caregiver support compared to other caregiving roles.
In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with Dr. Allison Applebaum, founder of the Caregivers Clinic at MSK, about the need to support cancer caregivers. She shares her own experience with her father and offers practical advice on navigating the healthcare system. This episode includes tips for managing intense emotions like anger, grief and guilt felt by people caring for a loved one with a serious illness. The challenge can be difficult and heartbreaking, but Dr. Applebaum says it’s possible to find profound meaning in the experience of being a cancer caregiver.