Resources and Support for Cancer Caregivers
Websites to Help People Caring for Cancer Patients
Websites for Connecting with Caregivers and Others
Connect with other caregivers
Online forums provide a way to share stories and encouragement
with others who are caring for loved ones.
CancerCare support groups
Join online or telephone support groups for caregivers and for
diagnosis-driven groups. Online groups for young caregivers (ages
20 to 40) are also available.
American Cancer Society discussion groups
The Cancer Survivors' Network forum allows you to share your story
and get advice from other caregivers.
Caregiver discussion group
This forum, sponsored by the Family Caregivers Alliance, is an
email listserv: members send emails, which are compiled into an
ongoing discussion. There is also a group for LGBT caregivers.
Family Caregiver Forum
Sponsored by the National Family Caregivers Association, this forum
includes advice from caregivers and a place to share
frustrations.
The
Wellness Community
Open discussions and private forums are available, as well as ways
to create online diaries and video journals.
Wellspouse online community
Connect to caregivers of all types (including for people with
Alzheimer's, strokes and other diseases) via face-to-face support
groups, online forums, and even old-fashioned letter-writing.
Stay in touch with family and friends
You can keep everyone up to date by sending out mass emails or
by creating a personal homepage to share the latest information
about your loved one. CaringBridge (sponsored by Dana-Farber/Brigham
and Women's Cancer Center) and CarePages make it easy to pass along news and
messages.
Supportive counseling
It's often helpful to talk to a counselor or social worker in
times of stress. You can ask your loved one's health care team for
references, or use one of these sites to locate counselors in your
area.
Note: Ask counselors whether their fees are covered by your
insurance policy, or check with your insurance company to find a
counselor whose fee is covered by your policy.
Psychosocial Oncology Worldwide Educational
Resource
This database, sponsored by the Association of Oncology Social
Work, can help connect you with social workers with interest and
experience helping people diagnosed with cancer and their
families.
American Psychosocial Oncology Society
Helpline
This toll-free referral program connects cancer patients and their
caregivers to psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers,
and counselors skilled in the management of cancer-related
distress.
Social Work Therapy Referral Service
Massachusetts residents can use this free, confidential phone
service to find a clinical social worker in their community.