Are you a caregiver?

You might already be one. Here’s what that can look like.

A caregiver is anyone who helps another person manage their health, daily needs, or overall well-being—often without pay. You might be a caregiver if you:

  • Help a family member, partner, friend, or neighbor with everyday tasks

  • Coordinate or attend medical appointments

  • Manage medications or health-related needs

  • Provide emotional support, check-ins, or advocacy

  • Assist with household responsibilities or transportation

  • Step in regularly because someone relies on you

If you see yourself in any of these roles, you can identify as a family caregiver—even if you’ve never used that term before. Caregiving looks different for everyone, but every caregiver plays a vital role and deserves recognition and support.

The Caregiver’s Role

Providing Care, Comfort, and Advocacy

Caring for a loved one with cancer often means helping them feel supported and less alone throughout diagnosis, treatment, and beyond. Caregivers may coordinate appointments, manage medications and transportation, help with daily needs, take notes during medical visits, ask questions, and help their loved one understand treatment options and next steps.

Caregivers also provide emotional support and advocacy by listening, offering reassurance, communicating concerns to the healthcare team, and watching for changes in symptoms, side effects, mood, or behavior. Because caregiving needs can change over time, flexibility is important. So is caring for yourself. Rest, support, and asking for help can make it easier to sustain your caregiving role.

Top 3 Things Caregivers Should Know

You don’t have to do everything yourself

It’s easy to fall into the mindset that you should handle it all, but caregiving is too big for one person. Friends, family, community groups, and even the healthcare team can share the load. Accepting help (meals, rides, sitting with your loved one) isn’t a weakness; it’s what makes long-term caregiving sustainable.

Communication matters more than having the “right” answers

You won’t always know what to say, and that’s okay. What matters most is being present and listening. Your loved one may need different things at different times, sometimes information, sometimes distraction, sometimes just quiet companionship. Honest, open communication with both your loved one and their care team helps avoid confusion and builds trust.

Your well-being directly affects the care you give

Caregivers often push their own needs aside, but burnout, stress, and exhaustion can build quickly. Taking breaks, getting rest, and checking in on your own mental and physical health isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. When you’re supported, you’re better able to support your loved one.

Caregiver Resources from Our Partners

ONLINE TOOL

Caregiver Resource Guide

A tool for people who are caring for someone with cancer. It can help you: learn how to care for yourself as a caregiver, better understand what your loved one is going through, develop skills for coping and caring, and take steps to help protect your health and well-being.

SUPPORT

1:1 Telephone Support from Trained Volunteers

Highly personalized and supportive connections at any point in your cancer journey. By connecting you and your loved ones with trained Peer Mentors who’ve walked a similar path, they help make cancer less isolating.

SUPPORT

Cancer Caregiving Support Groups

Professional phone or online counseling, support groups, and resources to help manage the emotional and practical demands of caregiving.

TIP SHEET

10 Tips for Caregivers of People with Cancer

This quick guide gives tips for caregivers of people with cancer.

ONLINE TOOL

Cancer Caregiver Resources

Specialized navigation program to assist with financial, insurance, and legal issues.

Caregiver Action Network Resources

Explore Your Community Support Options

Personalized Guidance from Caregiving Experts

Personalized Guidance from Caregiving Experts

Available Monday-Friday from 8am – 7pm ET, our experts are ready with the personalized support, guidance, and assistance you need and deserve–for as long as you need it.

(855) 227-3640

24/7 Access to Hundreds of Helpful Resources

24/7 Access to Hundreds of Helpful Resources

The National Caregiver Help Desk App, powered by Carallel, is full of bite-sized resources crafted to help you build skills, validate what you’re feeling, and help you get stuff done.

Use Access Code: CAN

Connection & Community with Other Caregivers

Expert-Led Virtual Fireside Chats

These 30-minute virtual fireside chats address the complex and often difficult topics encountered by caregivers. Sessions are led by Matt Perrin, Carallel’s Director of Caregiver Engagement, and Sheila Schultz, a Carallel Care Advocate.

Community with Other Caregivers

Community With Other Caregivers

Through CAN, Carallel Support Groups give you a place to ask questions, feel understood, and build confidence in your caregiving journey. Access is simple and available when you need it.

Certified Listeners

Connect with Certified Listeners

Looking for someone who really gets it? Get matched with trained listeners who share your lived experience—whether that’s caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, cancer, or another chronic condition.

Facebook Support Group for Caregivers

Online Support Group on Facebook

Join our caregiver community on Facebook to connect with thousands of peers in a welcoming, supportive space.
Ask questions, share experiences, and receive advice any time of day.

We’re meeting caregivers where they are—giving you choices for how you want to connect, whether through expert advice, peer-to-peer empathy, or live support groups.