Caregivers Often Overlook Their Own Health While Supporting Patients

Dr. Tracy Proverbs-Singh, a gastrointestinal oncologist at John Theurer Cancer Center, discussed how caregivers often overlook their own health while supporting patients with cancer.

Caregivers can neglect routine medical care, such as attending doctor’s appointments, getting screenings, taking medications, staying hydrated and resting. Proverbs-Singh noted that sometimes one family member handles most day-to-day caregiving tasks, which can lead to exhaustion and missed healthcare needs.

She emphasizes the importance of involving other family members, using social work support, and seeking peer support to maintain caregivers’ health. The care team, including nurses and social workers, monitors both patients and caregivers to prevent serious complications, such as untreated chronic conditions or missed cancer screenings. Ensuring caregivers’ health allows them to provide sustained support while protecting their own well-being.

Transcript

What is one thing caregivers often overlook about caring for themselves during this process?

Yeah, that's actually something we do encounter quite a bit. We do encourage our caregivers to make sure they're meeting their doctor's appointments, getting their screenings, taking their medications properly, hydrating, and making sure they're also getting rest. Frequently in families, maybe one child lives closer and deals with the bulk of the day-to-day. We usually say, when we start seeing people getting a little tired, "Hey, what's your brother doing?" Try to include the rest of the family, making sure they're getting rest. They also need the same support, so peer support and social work can help them manage.

We've seen, unfortunately, where caregivers may miss their screening colonoscopy and end up with a malignancy or end up sick in the hospital with heart problems because they aren't taking their blood pressure medication. It is critically important. We do notice sometimes when somebody is tired and say, "Hey, can you have your brother come in for the next couple?" Our social worker usually notices as well, as do our nurses. We have a big team that keeps an eye on everybody as a whole.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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