Support for Caregivers

In-Person Caregiver Support:

Nicki’s Circle

Caregivers are welcome to accompany their loved ones to any of the Nicki’s Circle Support Groups sponsored by COCA (see Nicki's Circle).

Contact Jeanice Hansen for more info: 720.724.8612 or Jeanice@colo-ovariancancer.org.

www.colo-ovariancancer.org/programs/nickiscircle/nickis-circle-calendar.html

Oncology Social Workers

Most medical and infusion centers have a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) on staff. These are professionals skilled in the issues that arise in the course of a cancer diagnosis, both for the patient and caregiver. They are a wealth of information and can be of great assistance.

Check at your doctor‘s office for more info.

http://www.aosw.org/patients-caregivers/tips-for-care/

For Kaiser Patients

Cancer Caregiver Support Group

“Discussion group focusing on the struggles and anxiety that can come with being a caregiver – those affected family, friends and significant others - of people living with cancer. Being a caregiver can sometimes mean: fear and uncertainty, relationship stress, difficult decisions, financial strain, feeling alone.” Open to the community.

Facilitated by Dennis Heffern, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker, 303.764.5047 and dennis.heffern@kp.org.

Meeting Location: Kaiser Permanente Franklin Building, 2045 Franklin, Denver CO, 80205. Basement level – Heyer Room – Call Dennis to register 303.764.5047

Meeting Time: 3rd Wednesdays of every month, 6:00-7:30 pm. (no July or August groups)

https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/oregon-washington/health-wellness/classes-programs/details/cancer_caregiver

Exempla Lutheran Hospital

Circle of Support for Caregivers

Address: Lutheran Hospital, Collier Center, 8300 W. 38th Avenue

Wheat Ridge, CO, 80033

Phone number: 303.425.8000

“A support group for all those caring for a person who is chronically or seriously ill. Meets the first Tuesday of each month from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Please call 303.425.8000 at Collier Hospice Center.”

https://www.sclhealth.org/locations/lutheran-medical-center/services/cancer/education-support/

Boulder Community Hospital

Caregivers and Loved Ones Support Group

“Talk with other caregivers and loved ones who are supporting family and friends journeying through cancer. Please join us for discussion, information gathering, and support. No fee.”

This free online zoom support group allows for discussion, information gathering, and support among individuals who are supporting family and friends with cancer. The group meets on the first Thursday of every month from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m.

To sign up for this group, please contact Claire McCorrison at 858.254.1288 or clairemcc8@comcast.net.

Foundation for Women's Cancer

“The Foundation for Women’s Cancer launched a new series in August 2023 aimed at helping caregivers support loved ones by becoming active participants in the care team, confidently discussing stigmatized elements of gynecologic cancer, gaining skills to balance time and prioritize their own mental health, and more.’

https://foundationforwomenscancer.org/compassionatecaregivers/

Email contact: https://foundationforwomenscancer.org/about-us/contact/

NCI Guidebook for People Helping Someone with Cancer

“This booklet is for you if you’re helping your loved one get through cancer treatment. You are a ‘caregiver.’ You may not think of yourself as a caregiver. You may see what you’re doing as something natural—taking care of someone you love. There are different types of caregivers. Some are family members, while others are friends. Every situation is different. So there are different ways to give care. There isn’t one way that works best.” There are additional resources listed in this useful booklet.

https://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/when-someone-you-love-is-treated.pdf

Family and Medical Leave Act

“The FMLA provides eligible employees of covered employers with job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons and requires continuation of their group health benefits under the same conditions as if they had not taken leave. FMLA leave may be unpaid or used at the same time as employer-provided paid leave. Employees must be restored to the same or virtually identical position when they return to work after FMLA leave.”

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/28-fmla

General Caregiver Tips

Supporting a patient through cancer treatment can be difficult for a caregiver. Here are a few tips and resources to help guide the way.

Tell friends and families that your loved one may need to scale back on holidays and parties during treatment.
Use a website to manage communications. (see mylifeline.org).
Take a break and plan time for yourself.

25 Ways to Support an Ovarian Cancer Survivor

by Susan Hess, MA, LPC

If in treatment, accompany her to chemo
Help her with a wig purchase - or buy an extra wig for her
Walk the dog
Buy her a gift card from the health food store
Sign her up for grocery delivery
Set up a website for her at www.mylifeline.org
Arrange for a house cleaning service to come in
Visit for a few hours and give her caregiver a break
Help her create a binder of all medical information
Don’t ask, “How are you doing?” every time you see her
Buy her a music CD or iTunes gift card
Buy her fashionable scarves & hats
Select an inspirational book and read it to her out loud
Bring her ice cream and milkshakes
Schedule friends to assist with house cleaning tasks
Deliver a frozen meal that can be easily cooked
Accompany her to a Nicki’s Circle support group
Help her make phone calls
Help her find alternative and complementary therapies
Look past her diagnosis and see her shining soul
Arrange for fresh flower deliveries on a weekly basis
Accompany her on a walk
Send her a card or e-card every day or week during treatment
Help her plan a schedule for visitors & assistance
Listen to her struggles and offer hope and encouragement

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Online Caregiver Support:

CancerCare®

Address: 275 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10001

Phone Number: 1.800.813.HOPE (4673)

Email: info@cancercare.org

“Online support groups take place using a password-protected message board format (not live chat) and are led by professional oncology social workers who offer support and guidance. Groups are held for 15 weeks at a time, and group members must register to join. After completing the registration process (which can take up to 2-3 business days), members can participate by posting in the groups 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Open to anyone in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.”

Link to a helpful pamphlet about “Caregiving for Your Loved One With Cancer” can be found here

https://www.cancercare.org/support_groups

Caring for the Caregiver - Cancer Survival Toolbox® Special Topics

“Caring for the Caregiver was developed specifically to provide resources and support for cancer caregivers to help them address the issues they face on an ongoing basis.”

https://www.canceradvocacy.org/resources/cancer-survival-toolbox/special-topics/caring-for-the-caregiver/

Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Ten Tips for Caregivers booklet

“A cancer caregiver is anyone who provides physical, emotional, financial, spiritual or logistical support to a loved one with cancer.”

https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/sites/default/files/uploads/living-with-cancer/topics/resource/fsac_ten_tips_for_caregivers.pdf

Cancer.net – Caring for a Loved One

“The free ASCO Answers Guide to Caring for a Loved One With Cancer includes practical tips, advice for communicating with family and the health care team, and worksheets to help track medications and coordinate caregiving tasks. Download this guide as a printable PDF in English (44 pages) or in Spanish (40 pages).”

The direct link to the caregiving guide pdf can be found here

The link to their homepage can be found here

Caregiver Media Group

“Caregiver Media Group is a leading provider of information, support and guidance for family and professional caregivers. Founded in 1995, we produce Today's Caregiver magazine, the first national magazine dedicated to caregivers, Caregiving books, Custom publications, the Fearless Caregiver Conferences, and our website.”

https://caregiver.com/

Well Spouse Association

“Well Spouse Association provides support and resources to people of all ages who care for partners with chronic illness or disability. We provide support whether you feel like a caregiver or not. We are an inclusive and welcoming community - no matter your age, partnership arrangement, sexuality, orientation, gender, or religious beliefs.”

https://wellspouse.org/

Lotsa Helping Hands

“Lotsa Helping Hands powers online caring communities that help restore health and balance to caregivers’ lives. Our service brings together caregivers and volunteers through online Communities that organize daily life during times of medical crisis or caregiver exhaustion in neighborhoods and communities worldwide. Caregivers benefit from the gifts of much needed help, emotional support, and peace of mind, while volunteers find meaning in giving back to those in need.”

https://lotsahelpinghands.com/

HelpForCancerCaregivers.org

“Help for Cancer Caregivers is a unique collaboration of organizations with a shared goal of improving the health and well-being of the people who care for people with cancer.”

https://www.helpforcancercaregivers.org/

Caregiver Action Network (CAN)

Phone Number for the Caregiver Help Desk: 855.227.3640

E-mail: info@caregiveraction.org

“CAN is a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.”

http://www.caregiveraction.org/

CaringBridge

“Serving as a family caregiver, whether during a health crisis or chronic illness, is a noble, honorable and magnificent act of love. But caregiving can also be relentless, isolating and sometimes scary to have so much responsibility. So those who know the work offer their experience to help you navigate.”

https://www.caringbridge.org/how-it-works