Charting Your Course : Seminar II - Navigation Aids : Nurturing the Caregiver

Continuous, non-stop attention to your loved one's needs can be emotionally and physically overwhelming. It is essential to make every effort to nurture your own well-being. As a family caregiver, you are at risk for mental and physical problems yourself. Caregiver fatigue and stress can contribute to increased vulnerability to illness.

Look at your past coping patterns. What strengths have you drawn on in the past?
Review your medical history. Be alert to changes or omissions in your routine arising out of your caregiving duties.
Assess other sources of stress, such as job, finances, other family situations.

Caregiver Organizations

The American Cancer Society
(800) ACS-2345
www.cancer.org
ANSWERS: The magazine for adult children of aging parents
(800) 750-2199
Bone Marrow Transplant Support
offers help to assist caregivers
(800) 826-9376
Candlelight Childhood Cancer Foundation
network of support groups for children, parents and caregivers
www.candlelighters.org
Caregivers, Inc.
online newsletter, workshops and audiotapes
(303) 393-8051
www.caregivers.com
Today's Caregiver Magazine
(800) 829-2734
www.caregiver.com
Caregiver Network, Inc.
www.caregiver.on.ca
Caregiving Newsletter
for caregivers of an aging individual
(847) 823-0639
www.caregiving.com
Eldercare Locator
helps older person and caregivers locate local support resources, including respite care
(800) 677-1116
www.eldercare.gov
Family Caregiver Alliance
clearinghouse covers medical, social, public policy aspects of caregiving. Online support group.
(415) 434-3388
www.caregiver.org
Family and Medical Leave Act
US Dept. of Labor
(800) 959-FMLA
www.dol.gov
Friends Health Connection
links caregivers of people with disabilities and chronic illness
(800) 48F-RIEN
www.48friend.org
National Family Caregivers Association
Newsletter: Take Care: Self Care for the Family Caregiver
(800) 896-3650
www.nfcacares.org
National Cancer Institute
(800) 4CA-NCER
www.cancer.gov
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
(800) 562-6265
www.nhpco.org
Oncolink - Information for Caregivers
Includes caregiver education course
www.oncolink.org
Well Spouse Foundation
mutual aid, support groups
(800) 838-0879
www.wellspouse.org
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
men's support line
(800) 221-2141
www.y-me.org

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This content is derived from the "Charting Your Course Seminars: A Whole Person Approach To Living With Cancer", provided by Norris Cotton Cancer Center.