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Caregivers
Cancer affects not only those diagnosed with the disease, but also their loved ones—partners, family, and friends—who provide important support. Loved ones often find themselves in a dual role: they help those who are ill, but they themselves are also confronted with fears and worries and need support as well.
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it also represents a significant change for those who have a close personal relationship with the patient. These may include partners, children, family members, relatives, or friends. All individuals with a close personal relationship to the patient are referred to as relatives, regardless of the nature of the relationship.
From the moment a family member is diagnosed with cancer, they find themselves in a dual role: on the one hand, they are a source of comfort, advice, and support, and in advanced stages of the disease, they often also become caregivers for the person with cancer; at the same time, however, they are also affected themselves, with their own worries, fears, and questions. Family members are supporters, but they also have their own needs for support.
Studies show that relatives of people with cancer experience stress levels that are just as high as those of the patients themselves. Psychological reactions such as anxiety (e.g., fear of recurrence), depressive reactions, and grief are also described at comparably high rates among relatives as among patients. Relatives also show a significantly reduced quality of life and increased physical symptoms such as sleep disorders, loss of appetite, or exhaustion.
However, studies also show that targeted, individually tailored support and accompaniment for relatives can lead to an improvement in their physical and emotional health, quality of life, and well-being, as well as practical and emotional strengthening of relatives in their roles as caregivers.
Support for relatives can prepare them for the challenges they may face during the course of a serious illness of a loved one and empower them to deal with these challenges. These challenges may include coming to terms with the diagnosis, challenges during the course of the illness, the return to normality in the event of a cure, or dealing with farewells and death in the case of a progressive, incurable illness. Based on this understanding, services for relatives are increasingly being developed.
Services for relatives
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Relatives of people with incurable cancer
A fundamental principle of palliative care is to include the needs of relatives in the focus of multi-professional care. Patients and relatives are regarded as a “care unit.” Recognizing the needs not only of patients but also of their relatives, accompanying and supporting relatives, and involving them in care planning are important tasks of palliative care.
The aim of caring for relatives in palliative medicine is to relieve them, strengthen them, and show them appreciation and recognition for what they are going through. The multi-professional palliative care team is also there for them.
The principles of palliative medicine or palliative care, including support for relatives, are central tasks of what is known as “specialized palliative medicine.” However, they also represent the basic principles of all care for people in palliative care situations. This means that they are also part of oncological palliative care, or “general palliative care.”
The multi-professional palliative care team offers a range of specific inpatient and outpatient care services, including consultations in which relatives can seek medical and/or nursing advice, gather strength, communicate, and give expression to their feelings. Sometimes, professional support from psychologists or therapists, a consultation with a social worker, or a conversation with a pastoral caregiver can be helpful during difficult, extraordinary times.
A Companion on the Journey
In the brochure "Side by Side – A Companion: Guidance and Support for Caregivers," we aim to inform caregivers about the challenges, issues, and questions they may face during the course of a progressive, incurable illness. This includes not only how they can support and accompany their loved ones during this time but also what they can do for themselves and where they can find additional support.
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Training Program for Caregivers of People with Incurable Illnesses
The caregiver training program, "Strong by Your Side – Knowledge & Tips for Caregivers," covers a wide range of topics that caregivers of seriously ill and/or incurably ill individuals may encounter. In regular training sessions, caregivers can receive support and gain tools for self-help. They will be informed, trained, and advised together with other caregivers on six topics (modules) by experts in palliative care.
- Module 1: Tips and Guidance for Home Care
- Module 2: Information on Different Care Models, Powers of Attorney, and Advance Directives
- Module 3: Grief and Farewell: Answers to Common Questions and Uncertainties
- Module 4: Strategies for Coping with Your Own Fears, Worries, and Needs
- Module 5: Palliative Illnesses from a Medical Perspective: Progression, Symptoms, and Treatment
- Module 6: Exercises for Maintaining Physical Well-Being in Everyday Life
The modules are offered on an ongoing basis, so you can join at any time. Please note: The event is conducted in German.
To participate in this free informational and training series, please register informally by emailing
Further Information
Do you have any questions or would you like to make an appointment? Here you will find our contact details for UCC Hamburg.
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