Care partners provide essential physical, emotional, and practical support to people living with myeloma. A care partner can be a spouse, family member, friend, or hired helper. Many patients have a primary care partner plus an extended network of additional support.
“Care partner” or “caregiver”
The IMF uses the term “care partner” to reflect the individual nature of life with myeloma. Many patients are living longer and better than in years past. A patient and a care partner can support each other in a true partnership, with each being a giver and a receiver of care.
The importance of care partners
Care partners help patients live well with myeloma. Research shows that patients with strong care partner support can live longer and have better mental health than those without such support.
How a care partner can help
Helping the patient to make well-informed decisions at the start of treatment or during a change in treatment.
Medication management Organizing medications and schedules, keeping track of refills and reminders, and reporting side effects to the healthcare team.
Daily living Meal preparation, shopping, errands, or securing transportation.
Physical assistance Assistance with bathing, dressing, or mobility.
Emotional support Providing a listening ear, a source of comfort, companionship, and encouragement.
Healthy lifestyle Modeling and encouraging healthy behaviors such as exercising, smoking cessation, and eating a balanced diet.
Each partnership is unique. A patient may need more support at pivotal points, on a short-term basis, or along the entire myeloma care experience. For example:
Patient advocacy
Myeloma knowledge is empowering
Financial decisions
Care partners can help patients learn about myeloma and its treatments.
Medical appointments and treatments Scheduling appointments, accompanying the patient, helping to ask questions, or taking notes during appointments and consultations. ¡ Scheduling an appointment for a consultation or treatment, ¡ Accompanying the patient to an appointment or treatment, ¡ Helping to ask questions and to take notes, ¡ Collecting and organizing personal health records if the patient agrees to this, ¡ Picking up the patient after a procedure that includes sedation, ¡ Providing extended care, such as during: A stem cell transplant, C AR T-cell therapy, B ispecific antibody therapy.
Navigating health insurance, accessing support services, and addressing barriers to care. Assisting with financial decisions. The patient may grant to a care partner the legal power of attorney.
Building a partnership
The bond between a patient and a care partner can grow stronger with honest communication. Share your feelings, needs, and concerns. Give and accept help graciously. Maintain friendships, interests, and self-care. Embrace flexibility during changing circumstances.
Use this QR code or visit carepartners.myeloma.org for more information. As always, the IMF urges you to discuss medical issues with your doctor and to contact the IMF InfoLine with your questions and concerns at 1.818.487.7455 or infoline@myelomaorg. myeloma.org
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CARE PARTNERS
Helping to make decisions