Caregiving: Examining Psychosocial Care for Those Who Experience Distress Due to Their Caregiving Role

Caregivers experience higher levels of financial, emotional, and physical health difficulties than non-caregivers and are more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms and mental health problems. The Caregivers Clinic at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is the first of its kind and provides comprehensive psychosocial care to family members and friends of patients who experience significant distress and burden because of their caregiving role. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Allison Applebaum, PhD, Psychologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, NY. Listen as Dr. Applebaum discusses the development and dissemination of psychosocial interventions for cancer caregivers, as well as understanding the impact of caregiver psychosocial wellbeing, prognostic awareness, and communication skills on advanced care planning.

“So many caregivers feel like they weren’t given a choice to become a caregiver, and often feel disempowered in their caregiving journeys. Through discussions on attitude taking, we can help caregivers connect to the ways in which they can choose to respond to the limitations and losses they face.”

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.