CAREGIVER GUIDE
Prioritize Your Physical Health Get the rest you need. Prioritize sleep at night (7-9 hours is recommended) and take short naps if you need. If you’re having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor. Eat healthy. Eat a balanced diet so that you have the strength and energy you need, and to maintain your health. The added bonus is that if you and the patient eat healthy together, it will benefit their recovery and overall health also. To get you started, check out the Living Healthy cookbook by the Urology Care Foundation: urologyhealth.org/resources/urologic-cancer- cookbook . Exercise. Exercise has benefits for both your physical and mental health. In addition to improving heart health, strength, and endurance, it can reduce anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Attend to your medical needs. Keep up to date on all of your regular medical appointments, screenings, and medications.
Ask for Help Consider your own strengths and limitations, and decide what you can do and where you may need to ask for help. Accepting help isn’t easy, and asking for help is even more difficult. People often want to help but may not know how to offer it. Be specific in asking for what you need and what would be helpful to you and your family. Take advantage of respite care. Consider others that can step in and cover caregiving needs to give you a break, for an afternoon, a full day, or even longer. Use resources such as caringbridge.org or lotsahelpinghands.com to communicate updates and needs with others. These sites can help you organize meal deliveries, rides to appointments, and help with household chores.
ZEROCANCER.ORG
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