The Importance of Caregiving
- Actor Bradley Cooper, 50, understands the role of caregiving all too well, as it’s something he took on when his dad, Charles Cooper, was diagnosed with lung cancer.
- His dad passed away in January 2011 at age 71, and the loss has inspired him to highlight caregivers and the complex role they fill in the newly released PBS documentary “Caregiving.”
- Being a caregiver is challenging and deeply rewarding. Taking occasional breaks from the role can help you recharge and provide the highest-quality care.
- To avoid caregiver burnout—the stress, anger, fatigue, and illness that can result from putting another person’s needs above your own—our experts recommend taking time for yourself. Research suggests that caregivers who take good care of themselves can also provide the best quality of care.
- For more resources on support for caregivers, sign up for SurvivorNet’s caregivers guide.
Cooper, known for acting in movies like “The Hangover,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” and “A Star Is Born,” ultimately lost his dad to the disease at age 71 in January 2011, but the traumatic experience has prompted him to highlight caregivers and the complex role they fill in a newly released PBS documentary.
Read MoreNow that the heartfelt production can be streamed, we can’t help but admire Cooper’s admiration for those who dedicate themselves entirely to the well-being of those they care for.
The documentary begins with a sweet montage of memories featuring Cooper’s dad, as Cooper says, “Like most people, I didn’t ever think about caregiving until my father was diagnosed with cancer.
“My dad was somebody whom I idolized. I used to dress up like him when I was a kid in kindergarten and get made fun of because I wanted to wear, like, a suit and a tie. And to go from that to giving him a bath is — is quite a traumatic thing.”
He continued, “The only good thing about somebody who has an illness that’s terminal is that you really can try to enjoy the moments you have left.
“We went around Philadelphia, we went to a Philly’s game, we sat in the dugout… so that was a really lovely thing to be able to do.
“I was lucky enough that I was able to be there for my dad. And I certainly benefited from the help we also got from others. I mean, these Caregivers are heroic people. Their ability to focus and give all of themselves is something I stand in awe of,” Cooper explained further.
RELATED: Patrick Dempsey’s Advice to Cancer Caregivers—Take Care of Yourself, Too
“I came to appreciate how we need to care for caregivers better. It is my hope that ‘Caregiving’ will provide affirmation and support for those who do this profoundly meaningful and increasingly vital work.”
“Caregiving,” which is narrated by award-winning actress Uzo Aduba, weaves together personal narratives and relatable experiences, along with America’s caregiving history.
It also explores the demands and triumphs of both unpaid and paid caregivers across the nation.
Expert Caregiving Resources
- Caregiving: An Opportunity for Healing
- Caregiving Isn’t Easy; Recognize That You May Need Help
- Here Are Top Tips For Cancer Caregivers To Help Them Through The Process
- Caregivers Can’t Provide Optimal Care for Their Loved Ones with Cancer If They Don’t Care for Themselves
- How Embracing the Role of Cancer Caregiver Brought Iowa Couple Closer & Strengthened Their Marriage
- Meeting the Needs of Black Caregivers
Bradley Cooper’s Caregiving Journey
Although Bradley Cooper’s dad, Charles, passed away from lung cancer in 2011, he was able to make time for him by supporting him through treatment and even holding his hand in the hospital during his final moments.
Back in 2016, Cooper gave a speech at the launch of the Parker Foundation’s Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, saying, “I just want to tell you about my father Charles J. Cooper.”
Cooper, who dubbed his dad’s cancer fight as “incredibly stressful,” continued, “I was in a very lucky position because I was able to put everything on hold in all aspects of my life and completely focus on taking care of him.
RELATED: Learning About Lung Cancer — Prevention and Screening
Since his dad’s passing, Cooper has welcomed his mother, Gloria Campano, to live with him at his Los Angeles home.
“I can’t even imagine how much more difficult it is for those patients and the families that are less fortunate than I was, who simply can’t afford to pay for both treatment and rent,” he added.
“My hope is that one day every person fighting cancer will receive the full support they need to maintain their quality of life from the day of diagnosis to the end of their treatment, regardless of economic or social status.”
Understanding Cancer Caregivers
Assuming the role of a cancer caregiver when a spouse, parent, sibling, child, or friend is diagnosed with cancer comes with a unique set of responsibilities. The first thing to understand is that there is no shame in asking for help. This can be an overwhelming time for both patients and their caregivers, too.
Through interviews with expert oncologists, social workers, patients advocates, and more, we’ve come up with a checklist of helpful steps cancer caregivers can take throughout the journey.
RELATED: The First Steps to Take as a Caregiver When a Loved One Is Diagnosed With Cancer
Cancer caregivers may:
- Attend doctor visits with the patient
- Help the patient take notes/ask questions
- Provide transportation to and from treatment
- Accompany the patient during treatment
- Help keep track of side effects
- Link up with a social worker/patient navigator
- Help with day-to-day activities
- Provide emotional support
Social Workers/Patient Navigators Can Help
Social workers or patient advocates can be a huge help for cancer caregivers during the journey. As a caregiver, you may want to enlist the help of one of these employees who often work for cancer centers for guidance on treatment options, financial assistance, where to seek mental health resources, and so much more.
“Patient navigators can function differently at different hospitals,” Dr. Kathie-Ann Joseph, a surgical oncologist at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet. “We have a really wonderful program at [NYU] where we use lay navigators, meaning they’re not nurses, although you can use nurses or social workers, who pretty much help newly diagnosed cancer patients through the continuum of care.”
Dr. Kathie-Ann Joseph explains how patient navigators can help throughout the treatment process.
These navigators can meet with patients from their first doctor appointments and can also:
- Attend appointments
- Provide an assessment for the next steps of care
- Assist with housing, transportation, or immigration issues
- Help with financial issues
- Provide direction on legal issues
Where Cancer Caregivers Can Find Help With Finances
Figuring out finances can be particularly stressful for a cancer caregiver. It’s often difficult to find resources (and determine what assistance programs any given patient may be eligible for).
In some states, you may even be able to receive compensation for taking on the role of caregiver if you need to take time off from your everyday work.
If your loved one is being treated at a cancer center, you may be able to enlist the help of a social worker or patient navigator. These employees may be able to direct you towards financial assistance programs, help negotiate bills and payment plans, talk to your insurers, and link you up with advocacy groups.
There are also many options cancer patients and their loved ones can look to for assistance covering costs, including:
Covering Caregiver Costs
Some states offer compensation to cancer caregivers. You can check with the Department of Health and Human Services for local resources.
CancerCare also offers free services to caregivers, and its oncology social workers may be able to connect struggling caregivers with mental health professionals, support groups, and other resources.
For Help With Treatment Bills
The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition can direct patients and their families to available local services.
Many treatment centers offer extended payment plans and some may offer temporary payment delays, according to the American Cancer Society.
CancerCare, which connects patients with oncology social workers, may be able to assist with co-pays, transportation, and other costs associated with care.
The HealthWell Foundation may be able to help uninsured patients pay for treatment.
The American Cancer Society may be able to link patients and their families up with local resources (they offer a 24/7 helpline).
The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) works with patients and their insurance companies to resolve issues and may provide direct financial support to some patients.
The Patient Access Network Foundation may be able to help with out-of-pocket costs associated with cancer treatment.
For Help With Transportation and/or Housing
Several programs, including Air Care Alliance, the Corporate Angel Network, and PALS (Patient Airlift Services), may be able to assist patients who need to travel by plane to get treatment.
Patients with Medicaid may be entitled to help paying for transportation costs to and from treatment.
The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program can hook patients and their families with volunteer drivers.
Mercy Medical Angels may be able to help patients and their families pay for transportation.
The Healthcare Hospitality Network can assist with housing if a patient must be treated far from home.
The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Program gives patients and their caregivers a free place to stay during treatment in dozens of cities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
For Help With Food
- Food assistance may be available to cancer patients and their caregivers. Look into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—aka SNAP—or a program like Meals on Wheels.
Pastor Tom Evans shares some advice for managing life as a caregiver.
Remember, Cancer Caregivers Should Seek Professional Help If They Need It
When a stressful life event occurs, like a loved one being diagnosed with cancer, people respond in a variety of ways.
“The way people respond is very variable,” Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik told SurvivorNet. “Very much consistent with how they respond to stresses and challenges in their life in general.”
When struggling with a new stressor, there are many different and healthy ways to cope. For some people, this may mean seeking out traditional therapy, but it’s not the only option.
Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik discusses how people may respond to stressors in very different ways.
If you are struggling mentally due to the stress of being a cancer caregiver, there are many options to help you cope. These include:
- Seeking professional help from a psychiatrist or therapist
- Learning healthy coping skills
- Medication such as antidepressants
- Adding more physical activity to your routine
- Adjusting your sleep schedule
- Connecting with others via support groups
- Mindfulness and meditation
And Let Your Loved One Speak for Themselves
As a caregiver, your job is to help in many ways as this person in your life navigates a difficult disease. Cancer caregivers can help keep track of symptoms, manage finances, and even manage emotions, but they should also let the person they are caring for speak up about what they truly need throughout the process.
“Some of the best examples that I have seen in caregivers are those spouses or loved ones who really, almost sit back and they allow the patient or they want the patient to express what the patient feels first, rather than barging in,” Dr. Lea said. “…Step back a little bit and let the patient speak for themselves. Let them express what they are feeling. That is so important for the patient’s overall quality of life and well-being.”
In a previous conversation with SurvivorNet, breast cancer survivor Melissa Berry said that for her, it was really important that her family be patient as she navigated cancer treatment. She experienced intense emotions and explained that, at times, she just needed space as a patient.
“Cancer can be a huge strain on the entire family, and can definitely be a strain on relationships. And I think, in some ways, it can bring people together. It can make you much stronger, or it could weaken a relationship,” she explained.
“I experienced incredible mood swings, and I, at times, felt like I didn’t even recognize myself. I think that it’s important for the people that are close to the patient to understand that you’re going to be going through some really rough stuff, not just physically, but emotionally.”
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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