For caregivers

Practical help for the people who care for someone with cancer, including how to care for yourself.

Rosa: Hi, I'm Rosa. Caring for someone you love is hard and important work. This page has practical tips, and a reminder that you need care too.

A caregiver is anyone who helps a person with cancer. You might be a spouse, partner, parent, adult child, or friend. Some caregivers help with a few rides. Others help with almost everything.

Caregiving often means many jobs at once. You may be a driver, note taker, cook, cheerleader, and medicine manager. It is fine to share these jobs with others. Make a list of tasks and let people choose what they can do.

Your health matters too. Caregivers who rest, eat well, and get support can care better and longer. Respite care means someone else takes over for a while so you can take a break. Ask the care team or social worker what respite help exists near you.

If you work, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may help. It can give you unpaid, job-protected time off to care for a spouse, child, or parent. It applies to many, but not all, employers and workers. You can take the time in blocks or a few hours at a time. Ask your human resources office how it works where you work. Some states also offer paid family leave.

Ask the person you care for to sign a HIPAA release form. This lets the care team talk with you. Also talk about a health care proxy, the person who can make medical choices if they cannot.

• Bring a written list of questions to each visit. Put the most important ones first.
• Take notes, or ask if you can record the visit on your phone.
• Keep an up-to-date list of all medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
• Track symptoms each day: temperature, pain, eating, drinking, bowel movements, sleep, and mood.
• Write down when to call the care team and the after-hours number.
• Keep a calendar of appointments, scans, and treatment days.
• Set up one way to share updates, like a group text or an online care site.
• Say yes when people offer help. Give them a specific task.
• Schedule time for yourself each week, even if it is short.
• Watch for signs of burnout: poor sleep, feeling hopeless, getting sick more, or pulling away from others.
• Ask the social worker about caregiver support groups and counseling. See Find help for more options.

Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.