Your Wellbeing

Preventing burnout, finding support, and caring for yourself while caring for others.

For Informational Purposes Only

Content on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Signs of caregiver burnout — take these seriously

Persistent exhaustion not relieved by sleep
Increased irritability or resentment toward the patient
Neglecting your own health (missing your own doctor appointments, not eating, not sleeping)
Social withdrawal
Feeling hopeless or that caregiving will never end
Physical symptoms: headaches, frequent illness, back pain from physical caregiving

Burnout is not a character flaw. It is a predictable consequence of an extremely demanding role with inadequate support.

Practical Burnout Prevention

Accept help — when people ask 'how can I help?', have a specific answer ready (meals, driving, sitting with the patient)
Use a coordination tool (CaringBridge, Lotsa Helping Hands) so you don't repeat updates to 20 people
Identify at least one person who can cover you for a minimum of 4 hours per week — this is respite, not abandonment
Maintain at least one activity that is yours alone — a walk, a hobby, time with a friend
Set communication boundaries — you do not have to respond to every message immediately
Ask the hospital social worker about formal respite care services in your area
Keep your own GP appointments — caregivers have higher rates of cardiovascular disease and depression

Emotional Support Resources

You are allowed to grieve while the patient is still alive

Anticipatory grief — grieving a loss before it happens — is real and often unacknowledged. Caregivers frequently grieve the person their loved one was before illness, the life they had planned together, and the future they imagined. This is a recognised psychological experience, not disloyalty. Therapy specifically for caregivers (see Meaning-Centered Therapy, EMDR, and ACT in the Emotional Wellbeing section) can be profoundly helpful.

CancerCare (USA): free professional counselling for caregivers by phone — not just patients
Macmillan Support Line (UK): 0808 808 0000 — open to caregivers, not just patients
iCanConnect / Cancer Council Australia: caregiver support programs
Online support groups: CancerCare online groups, Reddit r/CancerFamilySupport, Facebook cancer caregiver groups
Local hospice organisations often provide counselling to caregivers before and after death regardless of hospice enrolment
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): if you are employed, your workplace may offer free counselling sessions

Explore emotional therapies on iOnco

EMDR, MBSR, ACT, Meaning-Centered Therapy, and others are covered in detail — including which have cancer-specific evidence.

Emotional Wellbeing Section