Resources for Caregivers & Loved Ones Caring for someone with prostate cancer can be very difficult. You are not alone. Find support and resources. Jump To Jump To What is a Caregiver? Tips for Caregivers Conversations with Caregivers Additional Resources The term care partner or caregiver describes the informal, unpaid role of taking care of a loved one with a serious disease or disability. Caregivers can be friends or family of someone with prostate cancer. They may take on many roles. When someone you love is diagnosed with prostate cancer, you may find that you quickly have to become an information specialist, financial advisor, medical translator, and a source for emotional support. ZERO celebrates the role you play and respects what you do to support your loved one with prostate cancer. Caregiver Guide View, download, and share ZERO’s Caregiver Guide, which has a wealth of information on prostate cancer treatment and side effects, self care tips, resources, etc. This guide was developed with prostate cancer caregivers. Get your Caregiver Guide Caregiving at the Time of DiagnosisA prostate cancer diagnosis can be scary. There are usually no symptoms at the time of diagnosis, so hearing a doctor tell a loved one ‘you have prostate cancer’ may be a shock. It is okay to let yourself be upset and fearful. Let your loved one take the time he needs to work through the news while you provide support.Learn About Prostate CancerResearch as much about prostate cancer as you can. Your knowledge will help you talk to doctors, understand different treatment options, and be supportive while you make decisions together.A good place to start is the Stages and Treatments section of the ZERO website. There you'll find information about prostate cancer treatments, side effects, and resources. For every recommended treatment, it helps to know about possible side effects. It is also important to discuss the possibility of recurrence with your doctor. This knowledge may not soften the effects of prostate cancer, but it will help you face the future with courage and hope.Everyone’s cancer is different, so the best place to learn about your loved one’s specific prostate cancer is at your doctor’s office. Visit our Questions For Your Doctor section to view, print, or download resources to help you talk with the doctor. Consider a second or even a third opinion with both urologists and oncologists.Communicate and Work TogetherEven prostate cancer cannot destroy the bond between you and your loved one. You are stronger when you work as a team and open up to each other. It is important to communicate and support each other throughout the journey. Talk about your concerns with your loved one and show that you care.Be there with your loved one at the doctor appointments. He may need you to remind him what questions to ask, to keep notes, or simply to hold his hand. It may help you feel empowered and prepared for the future to make a treatment plan together. Play Video Close The Importance of Caregivers and Shared-Decision Making Euvon and Janet Jones discuss the importance of making medical decisions with your healthcare team and the role of caregiving. They learned about prostate cancer together and open communication ensured trust with their doctors. Caregiving & Shared-Decision Making Be Understanding and PatientKnow that you are not alone—and most importantly, ensure that your loved one knows that you are there for support.Your loved one may sometimes want to talk to his doctor alone so he can address his questions and fears without upsetting you. You are still an important part of his prostate cancer journey.Managing FinancesIn addition to learning about the disease, you may also have to learn about managing the costs of treating the disease. Fortunately there are many resources available and people to help. Some ideas that could be helpful include:Be in touch with your insurance provider to learn about what is covered.Try to keep notes from conversations with the doctors, insurance, and other specialists.Keep in contact with your hospital’s social worker, patient navigator, or financial advisor to see if they have resources for financial assistance, payment plans, or reduced rates.Set aside some time every week to sort through your bills.You can also contact ZERO360, our free comprehensive support program that can help access financial resources and solve other financial and insurance issues relating to a prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.Check out our list of financial resources.The New NormalIn some cases, continuing care for prostate cancer simply becomes a part of a man’s life. In living with the disease, make a daily routine that works for you. Determine how best to adapt to this new normal. Many times when people are diagnosed with cancer they use it as an opportunity to make healthy life changes, such as adopting a more nutritious diet or increasing physical activity. Encourage your loved one to make healthy changes, which may help them have better outcomes and recover more quickly. Caregiver Support Retreat Join caregivers from across the country for a transformative in-person gathering on October 26-27 dedicated to the unsung heroes who provide unwavering support and care to loved ones facing prostate cancer. Join us in Chicago Find SupportCancer is tough to fight. Often you may not be able to do it alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. And when friends, family, and community members ask if they can do anything for you, say yes! ZERO offers virtual and in-person support groups across the country. Many of these welcome caregivers. A Forum for Her are groups that provide support specifically to female caregivers and care partners of prostate cancer patients and survivors.Take Care of YourselfSet aside time in your schedule for activities that make you feel good about you. You are best able to provide your loved one with care when you are feeling good about yourself. Be kind to yourself and accept help from others. See this article for more on the importance of taking care of yourself and avoiding caregiver burnout. Care Partner Support Groups You provide emotional support to your loved one, but his journey can be tough on you, too. Find emotional support for yourself. ZERO offers in-person and virtual support groups - many are open to care partners and some are specifically for female caregivers. Find a support group Conversations with Caregivers: Town Hall Caregivers play a pivotal role in the prostate cancer journey. ZERO’s Vice President of Patient Programs and Education, Shelby Moneer and a panel of caregivers engage in a casual conversation, sharing their experiences. Caregivers Town Hall Additional resources You are not alone. There are many helpful resources for care partners, both at ZERO and other organizations. ZERO's Help & Support American Association of Retired People (AARP) The American Association of Retired People (AARP) offers a guide designed to help develop and implement a caregiving plan for a loved one or friend which includes tips for organizing important documents; a roundup of federal and national resources; information on caring for yourself; and checklists, medication charts and contact lists. CancerCare Find online, telephone, and face-to-face support groups led by oncology social workers. You will also find one-hour workshops focused on caregiving, as well as monthly question and answer sessions with featured experts. Cancer Support Community Offers tips and resources for caregiving as well as an online, password protected support group. CaringBridge A free service where you can provide updates to family and friends. Family Caregiver Alliance Family Caregiver Alliance's family care navigator can help you find a variety of resources in your state, including services and government programs, disease-specific organizations, legal help, and general information. Help for Cancer Caregivers A resource on all aspects of the caregiver journey, including burnout and stress, finding help, dealing with practical matters, and self-care. Imerman Angels One-on-one peer support for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Lotsa Helping Hands A free service where you can provide updates and get help from your private online community with meal deliveries, rides to appointments, and help with household chores. Triage Cancer Find resources for cancer caregivers on legal and practical matters like taking time off from work, managing family finances and medical bills, replacing lost wages, estate planning, and other matters.
Jump To Jump To What is a Caregiver? Tips for Caregivers Conversations with Caregivers Additional Resources
The term care partner or caregiver describes the informal, unpaid role of taking care of a loved one with a serious disease or disability. Caregivers can be friends or family of someone with prostate cancer. They may take on many roles. When someone you love is diagnosed with prostate cancer, you may find that you quickly have to become an information specialist, financial advisor, medical translator, and a source for emotional support. ZERO celebrates the role you play and respects what you do to support your loved one with prostate cancer.
Caregiver Guide View, download, and share ZERO’s Caregiver Guide, which has a wealth of information on prostate cancer treatment and side effects, self care tips, resources, etc. This guide was developed with prostate cancer caregivers. Get your Caregiver Guide
Caregiving at the Time of DiagnosisA prostate cancer diagnosis can be scary. There are usually no symptoms at the time of diagnosis, so hearing a doctor tell a loved one ‘you have prostate cancer’ may be a shock. It is okay to let yourself be upset and fearful. Let your loved one take the time he needs to work through the news while you provide support.Learn About Prostate CancerResearch as much about prostate cancer as you can. Your knowledge will help you talk to doctors, understand different treatment options, and be supportive while you make decisions together.A good place to start is the Stages and Treatments section of the ZERO website. There you'll find information about prostate cancer treatments, side effects, and resources. For every recommended treatment, it helps to know about possible side effects. It is also important to discuss the possibility of recurrence with your doctor. This knowledge may not soften the effects of prostate cancer, but it will help you face the future with courage and hope.Everyone’s cancer is different, so the best place to learn about your loved one’s specific prostate cancer is at your doctor’s office. Visit our Questions For Your Doctor section to view, print, or download resources to help you talk with the doctor. Consider a second or even a third opinion with both urologists and oncologists.Communicate and Work TogetherEven prostate cancer cannot destroy the bond between you and your loved one. You are stronger when you work as a team and open up to each other. It is important to communicate and support each other throughout the journey. Talk about your concerns with your loved one and show that you care.Be there with your loved one at the doctor appointments. He may need you to remind him what questions to ask, to keep notes, or simply to hold his hand. It may help you feel empowered and prepared for the future to make a treatment plan together.
Play Video Close The Importance of Caregivers and Shared-Decision Making Euvon and Janet Jones discuss the importance of making medical decisions with your healthcare team and the role of caregiving. They learned about prostate cancer together and open communication ensured trust with their doctors. Caregiving & Shared-Decision Making
Be Understanding and PatientKnow that you are not alone—and most importantly, ensure that your loved one knows that you are there for support.Your loved one may sometimes want to talk to his doctor alone so he can address his questions and fears without upsetting you. You are still an important part of his prostate cancer journey.Managing FinancesIn addition to learning about the disease, you may also have to learn about managing the costs of treating the disease. Fortunately there are many resources available and people to help. Some ideas that could be helpful include:Be in touch with your insurance provider to learn about what is covered.Try to keep notes from conversations with the doctors, insurance, and other specialists.Keep in contact with your hospital’s social worker, patient navigator, or financial advisor to see if they have resources for financial assistance, payment plans, or reduced rates.Set aside some time every week to sort through your bills.You can also contact ZERO360, our free comprehensive support program that can help access financial resources and solve other financial and insurance issues relating to a prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.Check out our list of financial resources.The New NormalIn some cases, continuing care for prostate cancer simply becomes a part of a man’s life. In living with the disease, make a daily routine that works for you. Determine how best to adapt to this new normal. Many times when people are diagnosed with cancer they use it as an opportunity to make healthy life changes, such as adopting a more nutritious diet or increasing physical activity. Encourage your loved one to make healthy changes, which may help them have better outcomes and recover more quickly.
Find SupportCancer is tough to fight. Often you may not be able to do it alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. And when friends, family, and community members ask if they can do anything for you, say yes! ZERO offers virtual and in-person support groups across the country. Many of these welcome caregivers. A Forum for Her are groups that provide support specifically to female caregivers and care partners of prostate cancer patients and survivors.Take Care of YourselfSet aside time in your schedule for activities that make you feel good about you. You are best able to provide your loved one with care when you are feeling good about yourself. Be kind to yourself and accept help from others. See this article for more on the importance of taking care of yourself and avoiding caregiver burnout.
Care Partner Support Groups You provide emotional support to your loved one, but his journey can be tough on you, too. Find emotional support for yourself. ZERO offers in-person and virtual support groups - many are open to care partners and some are specifically for female caregivers. Find a support group
Conversations with Caregivers: Town Hall Caregivers play a pivotal role in the prostate cancer journey. ZERO’s Vice President of Patient Programs and Education, Shelby Moneer and a panel of caregivers engage in a casual conversation, sharing their experiences. Caregivers Town Hall
Additional resources You are not alone. There are many helpful resources for care partners, both at ZERO and other organizations. ZERO's Help & Support American Association of Retired People (AARP) The American Association of Retired People (AARP) offers a guide designed to help develop and implement a caregiving plan for a loved one or friend which includes tips for organizing important documents; a roundup of federal and national resources; information on caring for yourself; and checklists, medication charts and contact lists. CancerCare Find online, telephone, and face-to-face support groups led by oncology social workers. You will also find one-hour workshops focused on caregiving, as well as monthly question and answer sessions with featured experts. Cancer Support Community Offers tips and resources for caregiving as well as an online, password protected support group. CaringBridge A free service where you can provide updates to family and friends. Family Caregiver Alliance Family Caregiver Alliance's family care navigator can help you find a variety of resources in your state, including services and government programs, disease-specific organizations, legal help, and general information. Help for Cancer Caregivers A resource on all aspects of the caregiver journey, including burnout and stress, finding help, dealing with practical matters, and self-care. Imerman Angels One-on-one peer support for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Lotsa Helping Hands A free service where you can provide updates and get help from your private online community with meal deliveries, rides to appointments, and help with household chores. Triage Cancer Find resources for cancer caregivers on legal and practical matters like taking time off from work, managing family finances and medical bills, replacing lost wages, estate planning, and other matters.