Giving caregivers the support they need
Caregivers play vital roles in a cancer patient’s care and support system. If you’ve recently become a caregiver to someone with cancer, you can trust that your Baylor Scott & White team is as concerned about your well-being as much as your loved one’s.
Your loved one’s nurse navigator can serve as a single point of contact for questions you may have and resources you may need. They can help you learn about your loved one’s diagnosis, treatment options, clinical trials and support groups, which will help you throughout the journey.
The nurse navigator also wants to help ensure you, as the caregiver, feel up to the demands of caregiving, which can affect you emotionally and physically. Below are some steps you can take and resources available to you as your loved one receives care.
Mental and emotional health
The psychological and emotional stress of caregiving is perhaps the hardest part of caring for a loved one. It’s perfectly normal to feel anger, sadness or guilt, and juggling the medical needs of someone else can feel very overwhelming.
Talking to a mental health counselor or social worker is a good first step toward caring for your mental well-being. You can also take other steps to feel more in control of the situation and lessen the overwhelm of caregiving.
Share your feelings
Whether caring for a parent, spouse or child, you have a unique relationship with the person who has cancer. Your parent may not want to accept help from a child, and you may feel grief over the possibility of losing a spouse or child.
These feelings are valid, and you need to address them to protect your own mental health. Support groups offer safe spaces to meet other people in your situation, or you may feel more comfortable discussing them with a therapist or through the act of journaling.
Ask for help
Don’t feel like you have to do everything you did before you took on the role of caregiver. You may receive offers of help, and when you do, be specific with your requests, such as cooking meals or doing household chores.
Help can come in other ways, as well. For example, online delivery services may help make grocery shopping or medication pickups easier. Find a website that allows you to hire people for one-off tasks, such as yard maintenance. Use social media to update loved ones if that’s easier than calling people individually.
Finally, learn to let go of small tasks when you don’t have the time or energy to address them. It’s okay to let dishes sit in the sink for one night or if leaves pile up in the yard.
Schedule personal time off
You may feel guilty about doing things you enjoy when your loved one is dealing with cancer. However, those opportunities to recharge will improve your mental and physical well-being.
Make time every day for something you enjoy, even if it’s a 10-minute walk or 30 minutes to watch your favorite TV show. Try to maintain your routines as much as you can, whether going to church on Sunday or attending your monthly book club. A social worker can help you arrange respite care for those times.
Physical well-being
It’s easy for your physical health to become a low priority when you’re caring for someone with a serious illness, but if your body is not well, you won’t have the energy or strength to be there for your loved one.
While it can feel difficult to make time for healthy habits, there are some simple steps you can take to help stay physically healthy:
- Drink plenty of water: Dehydration can make you feel tired, cause headaches and bring on other uncomfortable symptoms. Drink enough that your urine is pale yellow or clear.
- Eat a healthy diet: Healthy foods will give you energy. For simple, nutritious meals, stock up on bagged salad blends, frozen vegetables and grains, low-sodium canned beans and lean poultry.
- Get sufficient sleep: Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep every night.
- Keep your medical appointments: Ask friends or family to sit with your loved one, if needed, so you can attend checkups and screenings.
- Take a daily walk: Regular exercise lowers your stress levels and gives you an energy boost.
Find a location near you
At Baylor Scott & White, you have access to compassionate, expert care for a wide range of cancers. We help you find cancer support services at a location that fits your needs. We offer several locations for your care across North and Central Texas.
AccentCare - Fort Worth
3880 Hulen St , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Liver Consultants of Texas - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Center for Advanced Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Center for Thoracic Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75702
Baylor Scott & White Liver Consultants of Texas - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Touchstone Imaging Tyler
2019 Old Troup Hwy , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital
1814 Roseland Blvd Ste 100, Tyler, TX, 75701
Glen Oaks Hospital
301 Division St , Greenville, TX, 75401
Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital - Sherman
3601 N Calais St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Urgent Care+ Sherman
4028 N Hwy 75 , Sherman, TX, 75090
- Monday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital Urgent Care - Tyler
8101 S Broadway Ave , Tyler, TX, 75703
- Monday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Texas Vascular Associates - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
Baylor Scott & White Spine & Scoliosis Center - Greenville
4400 I-30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Imaging Center - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 200, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Outpatient Rehabilitation - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 120, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates Pediatrics - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 110, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 100, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Gastroenterology - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic Associates of Dallas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
Baylor Scott & White Endoscopy Center - Sherman
1615 US-75 Ste B, Sherman, TX, 75090
Sherman Endoscopy Center
1615 N Hwy 75 , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Women's Care & Continence Center - Sherman
260 E Evergreen St , Sherman, TX, 75090
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Texas Vascular Associates - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 105, Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 205, Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 205, Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Sherman
204 Medical Dr Ste 240, Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care - Van Alstyne
250 N Collin McKinney Pkwy , Van Alstyne, TX, 75495
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Anna
601 S. Ferguson Pkwy Ste 100, Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Royse City
594 W Interstate 30 , Royse City, TX, 75189
- Monday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd Ste 104, Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Texas Cardiac Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Surgical Institute - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
- Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - McKinney Red Bud
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
Baylor Scott & White Institute For Rehabilitation - McKinney Lake Forest
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
Baylor Scott & White Institute For Rehabilitation - McKinney University
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
How we reviewed this page
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January 23, 2025
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Medically reviewed by:
Angie Fraticelli, LMSW, MHA
Social worker support
Your loved one’s care team includes dedicated oncology social workers who are uniquely qualified to help support people with cancer and their loved ones.
Oncology social workers focus on the nonmedical aspects of care. In addition to helping with the logistics of care, such as transportation, they can help you navigate the financial and legal concerns you and your loved one may need to address.
Financial assistance
A social worker can help communicate with insurance companies about your loved one’s coverage. They can also find financial programs offered by pharmaceutical companies that may help lower the costs of care.
Oncology social workers at Baylor Scott & White can also connect you with financial-assistance programs, such as low-interest payment plans, discounted care and other services.
Legal assistance
Depending on your loved one’s diagnosis, you may need to make decisions about their care. A social worker can help you and your loved one access the resources needed to create an advance directive, a document that spells out a patient’s wishes for care in the event they can’t speak for themselves. Your social worker can also help you arrange healthcare power of attorney, which allows you to act on your loved one’s behalf.