MultiCare Health System

• MultiCare Regional Cancer Center
• The Dr. Richard C. Ostenson Cancer Center
• Types of Cancer
• Patient Resources
• Find a Location
• Cancer Care Guide
  • The Healing Environment
  • Understanding Cancer
  • Wellness and Support Services
  • Keeping Track of My Care
  • The Caregivers
    • Caring For the Caregiver
    • Anticipatory Grief
    • How to Help Our Loved Ones
    • Helping Children Understand and Cope
     
  • Managing Your Symptoms and Improving Your Health
  • Cancer Services and Resouces
  • Legal Considerations
  • Comfort Care
  • Glossary of Cancer Related Terms
   
 

How to Help Our Loved Ones

There are many ways to help our loved ones through this difficult process. Here are some basic and very valuable guidelines:

• Be gentle.
• Be patient.
• Be willing to listen.
• Acknowledge and allow their feelings and give them permission to express their feelings in many ways.
• Include them in discussions and decisions.
• Try not to take their impatience and anger personally.
• Help them develop a good support network.
• Allow them as much control over the situation as possible.
• Allow and encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves, regardless of how slow, painful or difficult it may seem.
• Don’t underestimate their symptoms, pains and fears. They are real to them.
• Learn what you can about the disability/ disease so you will understand and can review information with your loved one.
• Allow them to talk about the situation; don’t use generalities such as, “Everything will be ok.”
• Give them some space…physical and emotional.
• Avoid nurturing false hopes or unrealistic goals.