Across the Cancer Care Continuum: Caregiver Training
Presented by Sheila Longpré
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Caregiver support may be provided by a family member or health care provider. Regardless of who provides the care, the nature of caregiving takes on countless shapes and forms. This course will focus on the role of the caregiver providing support for the cancer survivor across the cancer care continuum, from diagnosis to end of life. It will address the physical and emotional needs of the cancer survivor, the everchanging role of the caregiver, and the importance of the caregiver's well-being.
Meet your instructor
Sheila Longpré
Sheila M. Longpré, PhD, OTR/L is an Associate Professor at Gannon University in Ruskin, Florida. In her six years of teaching, Sheila has focused on educating future occupational therapy practitioners in an entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Her research interests include cancer and occupational therapy…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Introduction
A cancer diagnosis does not only impact the individual diagnosed, but also the primary caregiver. This chapter offers tools to best assist the cancer survivor in maintaining his/her life throughout diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and end of life.
2. Physical Support
Providing physical assistance is one component of caregiver training. The trend in the United States health care system is to decrease the length of stay for patients in the hospital. With this comes the responsibility of the caregiver to provide assistance in the home and community.
3. Emotional Support
Being diagnosed with cancer may be emotionally trying for the cancer survivor. A caregiver may find him or herself providing emotional support to the cancer survivor through being present, listening, and providing comfort. Addressing emotional issues that may arise is yet another important aspect of being a caregiver.
4. Know When to Ask for Assistance
It is not uncommon for the caregiver to “want to do it all” for their loved one. The reality is that not everyone is able to do everything for someone else. It is important to know the financial, emotional, and physical limitations of being the sole caregiver, as well as recognize the caregiver's threshold.
5. Caring for Self
The caregiver cannot provide proper care if they are not taking care of themselves. The caregiver often has a great deal of responsibility when caring for the cancer survivor. It is instrumental in the continued care of the cancer survivor that the caregiver establishes a routine of self-care.
6. Role of Occupational Therapy
The role of occupational therapy in caregiver training can be multifaceted. As more individuals become caregivers, it is paramount that the caregiver be provided with the best tools possible to care for someone else. This section will address the distinct role of the occupational therapy practitioner in caregiver training.
7. Additional Resources
This course has provided several examples of how the caregiver can best provide care for the cancer survivor and for oneself. Additional resources will be discussed in this section to provide suggestions and opportunities for support provided to the caregiver.
