How to Support Someone With a Brain Tumor

The role of a caregiver is stressful at best. The endless hours of one-on-one care are critical for someone with a brain tumor. The time-consuming effort to give support to the one you love can be overwhelming. There are many aids available to guide you through this difficult journey.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Learn to Give Without Giving Up

1. The caregiver is the major support for someone with a brain tumor. This may be a family member or close friend who tends to the daily needs during a time of illness.
2. Recognize the delicate balance between danger and allowing someone with a brain tumor to participate safely in daily activities. Since many brain tumor patients must take some type of anti-seizure medication in the process of treatment, it is against the law in most states for them to drive. Ask a member of your healthcare team to inform your loved one about the restriction.
3. Understand the process for administering first aid should your family member suffer a seizure. Your health care provider is the best resource for training on how to handle this common side effect of brain tumors.
4. Provide the support your loved one needs by being an active advocate. If you have any questions about your loved one and the effects of the brain tumor or treatment, be aggressive in getting answers. The health care team is available to assist you in caring for your loved one.
5. Explore the availability of in-home assistance or adult day care options in your community. You need a time away from the responsibilities of care giving if you're going to provide the best support for someone with a brain tumor. A few hours a week will make a big difference in your ability to cope with the stress of illness.
6. Schedule a reprieve with family and close friends for the day. Find someone who is willing to provide caregiver assistance, and take some time for yourself.
7. Learn everything you can about brain tumors. This knowledge base will help you better understand the physical and mental changes of someone with brain tumors.
8. Allow yourself to grieve over the loss of your loved one as you knew him. At the same time, anticipate good things happening as research continues to bring new hope and treatments for those with brain tumors.

Tips & Warnings

• Before hiring anyone for in-home assistance, do a background check and ask for references. It's best to use local agencies with a proven record of high employee standards, if one is available in your community.