A Way Forward for Comprehensive Cancer Caregiver Support

Abstract

Family caregivers are integral to patient care. However, a combination of systemic forces places enormous pressure on family caregivers, while simultaneously devaluing them. Recently, more public attention has been paid to caregivers’ importance, prevalence, and needs, generating supportive responses by government, employers, and the media. As of yet, there has not been a commensurate response by health care institutions. We identify four key challenges to building comprehensive cancer caregiver support and propose five necessary components for future programs that cancer centers and organizations can adopt. Comprehensive cancer caregiver support is attainable but national organizations need to lead the effort through standardization of guidelines and metrics for cancer centers.