Identifying a Caregiver
A caregiver is a loved one or friend who can help you as you prepare for treatment, during treatment, and for up to 30 days after your CAR T infusion. This is an important and necessary member of your care team and you will need to identify a person who can fill this role. Key responsibilities include:
You may need additional family and friends to support you and your primary caregiver with other tasks, such as caring for children, managing household responsibilities (e.g., paying bills, getting groceries), caring for pets, or providing the primary caregiver with a break.
If you are receiving CAR T in the outpatient clinic, your caregiver will have additional responsibilities. See the outpatient section, and talk with your CAR T nurse navigator for more information.
Next: Short-Term Accommodations
- Attend all of your appointments, before and after treatment
- Provide transportation to your appointments
- Monitor your symptoms after your CAR T infusion and notify the care team if needed. Caregivers are often the first to recognize changes in behavior, such as confusion, or difficulty speaking or understanding.
- Stay with you at all times (24/7) when you return home or to short-term accommodations after your CAR T infusion
- Update family and friends on your treatment and well-being
- Coordinate visitors
You may need additional family and friends to support you and your primary caregiver with other tasks, such as caring for children, managing household responsibilities (e.g., paying bills, getting groceries), caring for pets, or providing the primary caregiver with a break.
If you are receiving CAR T in the outpatient clinic, your caregiver will have additional responsibilities. See the outpatient section, and talk with your CAR T nurse navigator for more information.
Next: Short-Term Accommodations