Caregiver Companion-A Guide for the Family Caregiver of Cancer Patients John Razzano and Frances Baumgarten PhD

In this episode, we talk about the importance  and necessity of good  communication. There are multiples points  of communication for the caregiver; with the doctors and medical systems, with family and friends, possibly other  community members, and most of all- with your loved one.  Today, John and Fran dive into the deep end of the pool and get right  to what can be the most challenging communication- with your loved one, including facing those difficult conversations, dealing with emotions, and non-verbal communication. 

Food can be a powerful force. Not only does it fuel our bodies, and provide essential elements for our well being- how we approach it, how we consume it, how we think about it can have emotional and psychological dimensions. As a caregiver, it is particularly important to think about what you're eating, how you're eating in the context of self-care. But also for your loved one. The good news is that this doesn't have to be stressful. You can use nutrition and food to help reduce stress and keep yourself going strong. In this episode, John and Fran talk with Toni Marinucci, a certified dietitian, author and speaker about how to approach food and nutrition in the sometimes chaotic world of caregiving.

In this Episode, John and Fran explore music therapy as  not only a form of self-care for caregivers, but as a therapy for your patient. We speak with a professor of Music Therapy and a Certified Music Therapst who helps chronically ill patients better cope with the physical and emotional toll a life threatrening illness can have on a person, and their caregiver. We all know, almost intuitively  that music can be soothing, such as a baby's lullaby, or evoke strong emotions, as your favorite song. Think of the many movie soundtracks that amplify and enhance the movie experience through music. 
 But did you know that music, as a formal therapeutic agent, and the use of music in a therapeutic setting has been around for over 100 years?,] It dates back to treatments for soldiers returning from the first world war with physical and psychological trauma. Give a listen, you may never hear your favorite song in quite the same way again.

When we take on the role of family caregiver, we become part of and and extension of the medical team. Actually, we are a vital part of the medical team. We spend the most time with the patient, under all kinds of circumstances.
Today, Fran and John talk with Emily Davis, RN, Oncology Certified Nurse, Oncology Navigator and famiy caregiver. We talk about how the professional caregivers view the role and significance of the family caregiver. Listen as Emily gives some practical advice, as well as insights into the professional/family caregiver relationship. We are partners and collaborators with a common objective- the well being of our loved one.

In this episode, Fran and John talk about the emotional and physical toll caregiving can generate. Fran explains the physiological and emotional strain of caregiving, and John relates his experiences as a caregiver, and what he did to cope.  Self Care is a vital element for a successful caregiver. It is necessary and not a selfish act to find moments to take breath and recharge.

Fran and John discuss the sub-speciality known as psycho-oncology. Cancer is overwhelming-no question about it.  It can take over every aspect of  your life, both as patient and as caregiver. In today's episode, Fran explains how the biological and physiological elements of the disease,  and its treatments, can impact a person's emotional and psychological state. As caregivers, its important that we recognize that there are biological processes going on that can manifest themselves in behaviors and emotions in our loved ones.
While this is such an important element to navigating the disease and treatment, it is still, unfortunately, not widely recognized as such within the medical community.  Listen to  John talk through his experiences and Fran provide a comprehensive description of what is going in on our loved one's body, how psycho-oncology can help.