For Caregivers

A NO-NONSENSE GUIDE TO

RESOURCES YOU NEED NOW!

  • CARE PACKAGE IDEAS (coming soon)

  • TALKING TO LOVED ONES GOING THROUGH CHEMO: How you can be supportive.

TALKING TO LOVED ONES
TALKING TO LOVED ONES

  • SHOPPING LISTS: 3 carefully, curated lists

  1. Foods that may minimize side effects of chemo

  2. A list of preferred foods (as reported by actual patients going through chemo)

  3. Stocking up on the basics

SHOPPING LISTS
SHOPPING LISTS

  • QUICK & EASY LINKS TO ONLINE CALENDARS (helpful when juggling a lot of assistance/concerned friends and family).

CALENDARS
CALENDARS

  • THE BASICS: assisting a loved one with toileting, showering, eating, staying hydrated

THE BASICS
THE BASICS

  • MEDICATION MANAGEMENT: tips and strategies, resources

MEDICATION TIPS
MEDICATION TIPS

WORDS MATTER

If you are wondering what TO SAY TO SOMEONE who recently found out about chemotherapy treatment, scroll through some ideas below. Everyone is different, but these suggested talking points were repeatedly pointed out as helpful to individuals going through chemotherapy:

VALIDATE

OFFER REAL HELP

LISTEN

  • "I am here to listen if you need to talk or just want to hang out."

  • "It's OK to feel whatever you're feeling - you don't have to be strong."

  • "Thank you for sharing this with me."

  • "I can't imagine how hard this must be for you."

  • "I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers."

  • "Let me handle ______ for you."

    -If possible, be specific with your suggestions as sometimes leaving it open-ended puts the onus on the other individual to coordinate.

SHOPPING LISTS

  1. FOODS THAT MAY MINIMIZE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMO

DOWNLOAD
DOWNLOAD

2. FOOD / FLAVOR PREFERENCES WHILE ON CHEMOTHERAPY (according to real patients)

Are you struggling to find foods to eat while on chemotherapy?

Or are you a caregiver trying to figure out what to buy your loved one?
FOODS TO TRY
FOODS TO TRY

3. STOCKING UP ON WIDE SELECTION OF GROCERIES

This is a list of grocery items that may alleviate side effects from chemo (side effect in parentheses), along with hygiene and precaution items you may want to stock up on. 

These foods are just suggestions; we all have our own personal tastes and know what works for us.  Add anything to this list that brings you comfort & joy.

 FRUITS & VEGETABLES:

_____ AVOID highly acidic fruits, like orange or grapefruit

_____ Bananas (reduce diarrhea, balance electrolytes)

_____ Watermelon – pre-cut (hydrating)

_____ Potatoes (hydrating)

_____ Salad (premade kit for energy conservation)

_____ Pre-Cut anything else (energy conservation)

PANTRY STAPLES:

_____ Bread (helps nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, good for mouth sores/throat)

_____ Saltines (helps nausea, diarrhea, indigestion)

_____ Rice crackers (helps nausea, vomit, diarrhea, & indigestion)

_____ White rice (helps diarrhea, indigestion, & stomach acidity)

SIMPLIFY: microwaveable rice options or boil-in-bag rice (fatigue)

_____ Instant potatoes (energy conservation)

_____ Pasta

_____ Microwavable foods (energy conservation and less aromatic than oven)

CANNED GOODS:

_____ Applesauce (nausea, diarrhea, easy to swallow) (note: cinnamon can irritate)

_____ Jelly (any flavor that appeals to you, naturally sweetened may be best)

_____ Peanut butter (helps with weight gain, good source of protein)

_____ Beans (good source of protein, easy to swallow)

SNACKS:

_____ Ginger snaps (helps nausea)

_____ Ginger candies (helps nausea)

_____ Graham crackers (helps nausea)

DAIRY:

_____ milk

_____ yogurt (easy to digest, probiotics, can use for smoothies)

_____ cheese: string cheese, cheese slices, shredded (protein, energy)

_____ sour cream (if losing weight, can help add)

_____ butter (if losing weight, can help add)

BEVERAGES:

_____ Flavored waters (hydration, variety to make it more appealing)

_____ Electrolyte, sports drink (electrolytes after vomit, diarrhea)

_____ Ginger ale (nausea)

_____ Tea, like ginger or peppermint (nausea, hydration) (NOTE: mint may irritate)

_____ Other teas (soothing to mind/soul, hydration) (NOTE: heat may aggravate)

_____ Lemon juice (nausea) (NOTE: acidic, may irritate mouth)

_____ Water bottles (hydration after diarrhea, vomit, constipation)

FROZEN:

_____ Frozen peas (for neuropathy)

_____ Frozen meals that appeal to you (be cautious with strong smells or flavors)

_____ Frozen fruit: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc. (hydration, healthy)

_____ Popsicles (help mouth sores, reduce nausea, improve hydration)

_____ Ice cream (may help with mouth sores, gain weight, hydration)

PAPER GOODS and CLEANING PRODUCTS:

_____ Toilet paper – good quality (helps with diarrhea)

_____ Paper towels (helps with precautions, energy conservation)

_____ Plastic plates/forks and knives (helps with precautions, energy conservation)

_____ Straws (helps with hydration)

_____ Dishwashing detergent

_____ Laundry detergent (stock up as heavy item)

_____ Anti-bacterial cleaner (for keeping home clean and safe)

_____ Disposable wipes (for cleaning surfaces in bathroom after chemo)

_____ Trash can liners

_____ Garbage bags

HEALTH and HYGIENE:

_____ Face masks (to keep you safe from infections when in public)

_____ Lotion to protect skin (ideally with SPF, may want one for sensitive skin)

_____ Hat or head covering (protect delicate scalp from sun)

_____ Anti-bacterial soap (in pump for ease of use, sanitary)

_____ Toothbrushes (soft, quality, multi-pack)

_____ Toothpaste (your own dedicated tube, try sensitive gum if lining irritated)

_____ Washcloths

_____ Pet food/litter/supplies (if low, stock up as heavy items/hard to manage later)

ORGANIZING:

ONLINE CALENDAR RESOURCES

Starting an online calendar that can be shared can really help organize the chaos, especially if a lot of people are asking for updates or want to provide help.

FIRST THING’S FIRST:

ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR LOVED ONE GOING THROUGH CHEMOTHERAPY BEFORE SHARING THEIR DIAGNOSIS…

THIS IS THEIR CHOICE; COMMUNICATE WITH THEM WHY IT MAY BE HELPFUL FOR YOU, AS THE CAREGIVER.

https://www.carecalendar.org/

A great resource for sharing information on one community calendar. May be helpful for individuals who will need a lot of outside help.

https://lotsahelpinghands.com/

Another great resource for putting all information in one place and coordinating help.

https://workspace.google.com/products/calendar/

Basic, free resource on google for sharing calendar info

Back to Basics Checklist

Ensure your loved one’s basic needs are getting met.

This checklist can be a helpful reminder to check that he/she is completing their basic activities of daily living.

You may be able to use it as a gentle pointer to them on ways to take care of oneself.

Freshening up the body, can lift the mind and spirit.

INTRODUCING THE

SHOWER CHAIR

Shower chairs can help make showering SO much easier - for everyone! You can sit and use a handheld shower and the experience can be so much more accessible and enjoyable, not to mention safer.

Organizations / non-profits in some communities loan out medical equipment, such as this, for a small fee.  Check out your local Goodwill or other second hand stores.

See suggestions below.

  • Google "medical loan closest" for your area

    —These types of organizations, often non-profits, may loan out items such as shower chairs, gait belts, walkers. This option can be especially useful if you only need items for short duration.

  • GotDME? https://gotdme.org/

    A project of wheel it forward. Search their National Directory to find Free Places To
    Borrow Or Donate Durable Medical Equipment. Simply enter your zip code to find resources near you.

  • Check local Goodwill or other secondhand stores for medical equipment for less money.

    —Many are in good shape and needing a new temporary home.

  • Churches, universities or local community colleges may also have extra medical equipment.

    —Think outside the box considering your local resources.

HOW TO GIVE A SPONGE BATH:

  • Gather Supplies:

    Warm water (in a large bowl, if not doing over a sink)

    Soap

    Three washcloths

    Towel to dry and for privacy

  • Prepare Space:

    Make room warm

    Create privacy: close door

  • Wash:

    Dip washcloth in warm water.

    Begin at face and neck. Be gentle.

    Rinse washcloth and add soap and wash each hand and arm. Use a clean wet washcloth to wash off soap.

    Next, use soapy washcloth to wash underarms and torso.

    Rinse and dry with towel.

    Repeat with chest and stomach.

    Repeat with legs and feet.

    Ask them to clean their genital region: use a fresh washcloth.

  • Dry and apply gentle lotion (sensitive skin), if using.

MEDICATION MANAGEMENT

Medication management is more than just taking your pills as directed.

  1. KNOW THE MEDS AND HOW/WHEN TO TAKE THEM:

  • REVIEW MED LIST FROM DR.

  • WRITE IT OUT BY HAND

  • TRY PHONE APPS THAT CAN HELP YOU TRACK AND MANAGE YOUR MEDS

2.      LOCATION OF MEDS:‍ ‍

SAFE: from individuals (and pets) who may accidentally ingest

EASY ACCESS: Make sure it is accessible to you AND also to the person you are caregiving.

CONSISTENCY: If more than one person is accessing the medications, it is IMPERATIVE that the location remains consistent. If anyone switches the two medications, the other individual may not know/double-check and accidentally ingest the wrong medication.

LOGICAL: Strategic placement of your medicines, you will be more likely to take it when needed and as directed. For example, place medications to be taken with food in the kitchen, ones before bed, next to the bed, etc.

TAKE NOTES: Keep track of times when you take the medication.

3. VISUAL IDENTIFICATION OF PROPER MEDICATIONS

  • HIGHLIGHT/COLOR CODE

  • USE GLASSES, if needed and keep close by the medicine if only used for small print

  • REQUEST LARGE FONT FROM PHARMACY

  • INCREASE LIGHTING

4.  PHYSICAL ABILITY TO OPEN BOTTLE: make sure you and your loved one are able to open the bottle.

TIPS:

  • Use a rubber band. A rubber band around a bottle cap can provide extra resistance. This is especially helpful for bottles that are small or difficult to grasp.

  • Try non-slip mats. Place a “press and turn” medication bottle on a non-slip mat, with another non-slip mat on top. After placing your hand on the bottle, use your body weight as you press and twist to open.

  • Talk to pharmacist. Snap-off caps may be a viable option. Also, some pharmacies also offer simple-dose, prepackaged medications.

MEDICATION REMINDERS:

  • TRY PHONE REMINDER APPS

  • HAND WRITE IT OUT AND LEAVE IN CONSPICUOUS LOCALE

  • PLACE MEDS IN A LOGICAL LOCALE:

    • NEXT TO BED: FOR THOSE TO BE TAKEN BEFORE BED

    • ON DINING ROOM TABLE: FOR THOSE TO BE TAKEN WITH FOOD