Being a caregiver may mean that you have to play many roles all at once, including being a friend, confidant, nurse and assistant. Your role as caregiver may happen gradually, over a period of time, or it can happen suddenly, if your partner or relative has a heart attack for example.
Your role will involve helping and supporting your partner or relative to adjust their lifestyle to fit with their new treatment plan. You are likely to have the largest impact on their success in following instructions from their healthcare team. Therefore, it is very important that you are involved, but you should aim to empower your partner or relative, while trying not to be over protective or dominate them.
Your role as carer may not be permanent and the help and support your partner or relative needs right now may get less with time. Click on the links below to find out more about the help and support you can provide to your partner or relative.
Helping with personal care and practical issues
Helping with medical care issues
Lending emotional support
Other tips