What to do when your loved one has a new diagnosis

Caregiving Tips

Learning that someone you love has just received a difficult diagnosis is never easy. It’s hard enough to process the new diagnosis, let alone next steps. And you may quickly find yourself intimately involved in their care, and called upon to handle critical decisions or care tasks. Unsure of where to start? Our Care Coordinators have put together a few tips and recommendations on where to begin.

Get organized

Gather important paperwork and set up the necessary legal and financial documents if necessary. Be sure to store this info for easy access, and make sure that at least one person knows where to find this info.

Insurance cards
Medical records
Contact list
Medication list
Will
Living Will
Power Attorney
Healthcare Proxy

Be informed

Learn about the disease or condition, and all it entails. Medical terminology can be intimidating, so speak up about unfamiliar terms. Sometimes we forget to ask “what does that mean?” Asking for clarity will allow you and your family to feel confident in what’s going on.

Understand treatment options
Be aware of potential side-effects
Identify potential impacts on daily life
Assess care needs (full in-home care, physical therapy, counseling, etc.)

Take care of yourself

Caring for a loved one is rewarding but also stressful, even for the most resilient people. It often comes with exhaustion, worry, and stress - potentially leading to caregiver burnout. Don’t forget to look after your own needs!

Eat well and drink lots of water
Meditate, exercise, and get plenty of rest
Join a support group or consider counseling
Look into respite care options

Ask for help

Lean on other family members and/or support systems. Allowing others to help can take some of the pressure off and allow you to also care for yourself. People want to help, so don’t be afraid to lean on others for additional support.