Lung Cancer: Long-Distance Caregiving

If you have a loved one with lung cancer who lives away from you, you are not alone. It is very common for friends and family members to be spread far and wide these days. In fact, it is estimated that about seven million adults provide caregiving from a distance. Fortunately, with the help of technology and a little creativity, you can let your loved one know you care, even if you don't live nearby.

For any caregiver, the most important part is to provide love and support. "Being there" doesn't necessarily mean physically, although it is a good idea to schedule visits to see your loved one when possible. Between visits, you can show your love by sending cards and letters, placing regular phone calls, and even spending time with your loved one over the Internet by using Web cams to your computers and allow you to see each other on your monitors or laptop screens.

Lung cancer patient Barbara Fagan’s out-of-state family members sent care packages to show their support, recalls Fagan's granddaughter Karin Donnelly. "Because they were so removed geographically from the situation, it made them feel sort of helpless," says Donnelly, whose grandmother lost her battle with lung cancer in 2008. "They would have their kids draw pictures or make cards for my grandmother."

Helping the Lung Cancer Caregiver

In addition to showing your concern for the patient, it's important to lend support to the primary caregiver — the one who might be there around the clock and at risk of burnout.

Here are some ways to help:

Coordinate the caregiving. Help coordinate the care of your loved one, especially during times of need, like right after lung cancer treatment. You can keep a schedule of close-by neighbors, friends, and community members who want to help. There are even programs you can use on the Internet that give all family members access.

Help manage the household. See if you can help with some of the daily household tasks that may become burdensome during lung cancer treatment, like paying bills or filling prescriptions. Many of these tasks can be performed over the phone or Internet.

Hire local help. As a special respite for your loved one’s primary caregiver, hire someone to help out with chores such as mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, or keeping the laundry clean and folded.

Keep the kitchen stocked. Send your loved one or the caregiver a package of his or her favorite foods, or contact a local company that can make regular deliveries of fresh or frozen meals. Remember that lung cancer and its treatments can interfere with appetite and food preferences, so talk with your loved one or a primary caregiver to find out what foods would be best tolerated.

Ask what you can do. If you are not sure what you should do, tell your loved one or nearby caregivers that you would like to help and ask what you can do to make life easier for the lung cancer patient.

With technology and a wealth of home services now available in communities across the country, you no longer have to stand idly by when a long-distance loved one is in need.