Mesothelioma Caregivers

Help for Mesothelioma Caregivers

The role of a mesothelioma caregiver often requires a great deal of time and energy, and as a result, caregivers may begin to feel overwhelmed or burned out.

Whether you are caring for a spouse, family member, or friend with mesothelioma, it is important to acknowledge your own needs and remember that you are not alone.

There are resources available for mesothelioma patients and their caregivers as they navigate the complexities of this diagnosis, including support groups, legal options, and guides to practicing self-care.

Call Sokolove Law right now at (800) 647-3434 if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease.

If someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, financial compensation may be available to help cover their medical expenses and in-home care, which can provide caregivers with much-needed respite.

In addition, the money awarded could also help with the lost income the family may be facing due to the loved one’s illness.

Sokolove Law is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about seeking mesothelioma compensation for your loved one.

What Does a Mesothelioma Caregiver Do?

Mesothelioma caregivers play a central role in a patient’s journey.

Being a mesothelioma caregiver is a job most people feel unprepared to handle. It is often unexpected and comes with a unique set of challenges for everyone.

Mesothelioma caregivers have their own lives to attend to, which very likely include family and work. Despite this, they must learn to adapt to wearing many new hats and meeting the demands of their additional responsibilities.

These responsibilities may include:

• Acting as a medical advocate
• Becoming the breadwinner for income and insurance
• Managing household activities
• Providing emotional support
• Taking care of physical needs

Mesothelioma Caregiver Duties

Unfortunately, mesothelioma is an aggressive disease with no cure. This usually means that the prognosis is poor, and patients may quickly become increasingly dependent on their caregivers.

As the illness advances, being a mesothelioma caregiver may entail:

• Administering IV treatments and managing medications
• Assisting the patient with respirators, oxygen tanks, wheelchairs, and walkers
• Gathering documentation, like health history, banking, wills, and power of attorney
• Helping your loved one to eat, bathe, dress, and use the bathroom
• Keeping family and friends updated on the patient’s status
• Making decisions on whether treatments are helping
• Organizing health insurance, finances, and end-of-life arrangements

Resources for Mesothelioma Caregivers

There are many mesothelioma caregiver resources that provide caregivers with information on how to best care for their loved one and themselves.

Educational Resources

Mesothelioma caregivers should become educated on the condition to better plan for the future. When locating educational resources, it is important to be sure the information you are getting is accurate.

Reliable mesothelioma educational materials are available online from such organizations as:

• National Cancer Institute
• Mayo Clinic
• American Cancer Society

Mesothelioma Financial Resources

High-quality mesothelioma treatment can extend a patient’s life for months and even years, but it can be extremely expensive, often costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in the first year.

Since mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, victims and their families may be legally entitled to money from companies that made asbestos-containing products to help pay for care.

There are different types of mesothelioma compensation that patients and their loved ones can pursue, and many patients may even be eligible for multiple forms of compensation.

The type of compensation available may differ for each individual victim and include:

• Asbestos trust funds
• Mesothelioma settlements
• Mesothelioma trial verdict compensation
• U.S. veterans VA benefits

The process of seeking compensation can feel overwhelming for mesothelioma caregivers, who are typically focused only on the quality of life of their loved ones.

Our mesothelioma attorneys can help you identify every compensation option available, from mesothelioma lawsuits to trust fund claims, ensuring you receive money as quickly as possible.

Self-Care Resources for Mesothelioma Caregivers

Being a mesothelioma caregiver is physically and emotionally taxing, which makes self-care critical.

Mesothelioma caregivers must put their own health and safety first to ensure they can continue to care for their loved ones.

Some ways to take care of yourself include:

• Finding at least 15-30 minutes per day to do something for yourself
• Maintaining your personal life
• Keeping a regular routine
• Asking for help

It is also important for mesothelioma patients and caregivers to acknowledge and work to understand the varying feelings they may be experiencing during this unfamiliar and turbulent time.

Mesothelioma Home Care & Assisted Living

Mesothelioma caregivers may not be available 24/7 — or, sometimes, they may simply need a break from or help with managing all of their responsibilities.

Hiring home care professionals can alleviate mesothelioma caregiver struggles while providing a patient with quality support.

Mesothelioma home care professionals can include:

• Home health aids and registered nurses
• Housekeeping agencies and meal prep services
• In-home hospice care
• Physical therapists
• Social workers

If a mesothelioma patient has needs that cannot be met by their caregiver, the caregiver may look into assisted living facilities. Assisted living facilities can house eligible mesothelioma patients and provide them with daily support, depending on their specific needs.

Unfortunately, hiring personal help can be extremely expensive. Our team can determine if you are eligible for compensation to cover medical costs and other expenses related to a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Mesothelioma Support Teams: Creating a Community

Since being a mesothelioma caregiving can be a full-time job, it is important to develop a network of helpers who can assist you with different tasks.

Being proactive and developing a care team early on can provide the best quality of life for both the patient and yourself.

Some tips for putting mesothelioma caregivers support teams into place include:

• Making a list of family, friends, and neighbors who you think would be willing to help
• Explaining to each person what kind of help you may need both now and in the future
• Assigning responsibilities to each person who is willing to help
• Saying thank you — people who feel appreciated are more likely to help again

Ultimately, the help of family, friends, and community members can lessen stress and feelings of being overwhelmed.

Read on to see how different people in your life may be able to contribute to a mesothelioma care team and tips to make the responsibilities more manageable.

Spouses

It is common for spouses to be primary mesothelioma caregivers.

In addition to handling the bulk of the work, primary caregivers are usually the people who share information with loved ones about the patient’s condition.

This can feel especially taxing on already drained spouses who don’t have the energy to repeat the same updates to family and friends on demand.

Some tips to make this more efficient include:

• Taking detailed notes at doctor’s visits that can be edited and shared as appropriate
• Creating separate email groups of those you’d like to update with varying levels of detail
• Holding family meetings

Adult Children

Being a mesothelioma caregiver often falls, at least partially, on adult children. While this can be rewarding, it can be especially painful for adult children to see a parent’s health deteriorate.

Many patients feel their adult children can be good mesothelioma caregivers by offering their time and presence.

Adult children can volunteer their time by:

• Visiting and calling regularly
• Helping around the house
• Driving the patient to medical appointments

Siblings

Mesothelioma caregivers may include the siblings of the patient.

While it can be difficult for siblings to find time — as they likely have their own families, jobs, and obligations to handle — it often benefits the mesothelioma patient to be around those they grew up with.

Childhood memories can be a great source of comfort that only siblings would be able to talk about.

Friends

Friends may not understand that they can also be valuable mesothelioma caregivers, and they may not know how they can offer help.

A place to start is by staying in regular communication with your friend. It may also be appropriate to reach out to the primary caregiver to offer help, even if you are not asked.

Veterans

Sadly, veterans make up one-third of mesothelioma cases. They are at increased risk of developing mesothelioma due to widespread asbestos use in all branches of the military.

Free health care and compensation may be available to veterans with mesothelioma through VA benefits.

The camaraderie felt amongst those who served together in the Armed Forces has been known to create lifetime bonds.

Being a mesothelioma caregiver can mean something as simple as reconnecting with someone you served with. The uniqueness of the bond can be a tremendous source of support for mesothelioma patients.

Community

Community organizations, such as church groups or meal trains, may be additional sources of mesothelioma caregivers' support.

The American Cancer Society has many resources on its website to locate community support for patients and mesothelioma caregivers alike.

Tips for Mesothelioma Caregivers

Being a caregiver can be emotionally and physically draining. Mesothelioma caregiver burnout is common when caregivers put their own needs aside to focus on the needs of their loved ones.

Mesothelioma caregivers who experience burnout may suffer from:

• Anxiety or depression
• Fatigue
• Illness
• Problems sleeping
• Resentment
• Social withdrawal

However, with proper support, taking care of a loved one can be incredibly rewarding. Many mesothelioma caregivers find strength, compassion, and courage along the way.

Below, learn more about our top tips for mesothelioma caregivers.

Take Time Off When Possible

Mesothelioma caregivers may feel as though life is always about the illness. You may unintentionally focus on nothing else.

You may also feel guilty about needing some time for yourself, not realizing that your loved one may want the same thing.

Even if it is only for a few minutes per day, try doing some things for yourself, like:

• Calling a friend
• Listening to music
• Reading a book
• Taking a walk
• Watching a movie

Reach Out For Help

Mesothelioma caregivers may feel they are the only ones who can do the job. However, the American Cancer Society warns, “Caregiving alone for any period of time is not realistic.”

Sharing the responsibility is not only acceptable, but it is also advisable. When people offer to help, take it. If you are not receiving the help you need, take the time to actively seek it out.

Help may be available from places like:

• A hospital social worker
• The National Alliance of Caregiving
• National Family Caregivers Association

Finding Mesothelioma Support Groups

Mesothelioma support groups create space for caregivers, patients, and family members to share their unique experiences with a community of people who understand what they are going through.

Doctors may be able to point you toward mesothelioma support groups in your area that meet in person to talk about fears, challenges, and available local resources.

There are also mesothelioma support groups online, Facebook groups, and even phone groups that have scheduled conference calls — these options may be more accessible to some depending on where you live.

Additionally, there are many non-specific cancer support groups that focus on bringing together caregivers while they are aiding a loved one.

Don’t Forget to Care for Yourself

Caring for yourself is the first step mesothelioma caregivers should take. Staying physically and emotionally well is critical as you embark on your loved one’s journey with them.

While how to care for yourself is an individual preference, some tips are:

• Educate yourself on mesothelioma so you know what to expect
• Find a medical team you trust
• Stay organized by keeping files, schedules, and lists to manage your time
• Accept your bad days and your loved one’s bad days
• Monitor your own health as well as your loved one’s health
• Keep a journal
• Know your limitations
• Accept help
• Stay connected with others

All in all, it is important for mesothelioma caregivers to go easy on themselves when they make mistakes.

Caregivers should understand that it’s okay to grieve their losses. It’s normal to miss the life they had with their loved ones before the mesothelioma diagnosis.

Contact Sokolove Law for Mesothelioma Caregiver Support

Sokolove Law is a national mesothelioma law firm that has helped mesothelioma patients and their families secure over $5.1 Billion in compensation for their physical suffering and financial hardship.

We understand the difficulties that accompany a mesothelioma diagnosis. That’s why we are compassionate toward caregivers and patients and relentless in our pursuit of justice on their behalf.

Our team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you get the assistance you deserve.

Call (800) 647-3434 or fill out our contact form today to see if you are eligible to pursue mesothelioma compensation.