Charting Your Course : Seminar II - Navigation Aids : Family Issues

Major changes in families' usual lifestyle patterns may be required to accommodate demands of caring for a loved one. Unresolved conflicts, ongoing difficulties in relationships, communication patterns prior to stress of illness may resurface. Disequilibrium within the family is not unexpected. Problem-solving approaches may prevent or defuse some family tensions.

Identifying family roles and shifts in responsibility during illness:

Whom do you consider to be part of your family?
What roles is the ill person relinquishing?
Who, besides the patient, is affected by the illness?
What are the expectations of family members?
What are the family members' occupational patterns?
What adaptations need to be made?
Who are close friends and family in this system?
What are the economic resources?
Are there any other concurrent stressors?
What child-rearing activities are present?
Are there other caregiving responsibilities?
Who will participate in decision-making?
What is the patient and family members' level of participation in religion?
What does your spiritual tradition tell you about death and dying?

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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.