The rapid evolution of cancer care delivery toward multi-agent regimens, oral and/or combination therapies, and at-home treatment administration has made cancer caregiving extremely complex. The Caregiver Clinic at Memorial Sloan Kettering provides support to people who are having difficulty coping with the demands of being a caregiver. The purpose of this clinic is to help individuals maximize their ability to provide care to loved ones while attending to their own self-care, needs, and other important responsibilities. Caregivers can receive individual, group, couples, and family therapy sessions, as well as medication management as needed.

CANCER BUZZ spoke to Allison Applebaum, PhD, Psychologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, NY. Listen as Dr. Applebaum discusses the programs and practices in place at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to support caregivers.

"We talk a lot about sitting with uncertainty. So many caregivers struggle with the fact that they can't plan… they can't plan for a vacation in six months, they actually can't plan for the next day sometimes and that is exhausting and quite difficult for caregivers over the long term."

"For many (caregivers) they feel there is so much support around patients, but so very little support for them, and they feel left out (and alone)."

Allison Applebaum, PhD

Psychologist

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York City, NY

Resources:

American Cancer Society

Cancer Support Community

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

National Alliance for Caregiving

This project is supported by EMD Serono.