Responsibilities (Family & Caregivers)
Bone Marrow Transplant is a major procedure and requires a good deal of preparation and planning before the patient is admitted to the hospital. Hence it’s the responsibility of the family to help patient, follow the transplant process. Responsibilities include:
- to write down any questions you may have and bring them to any meeting you have with your transplant team.
- ask your physician about any query during and after transplant. This will make family and caregivers more informed and comfortable about the Bone Marrow Transplant process.
- Candidates and their support persons must be able to work closely with the entire transplant team.
Patient and the caregiver should be aware that the care-giving role will change over time. Stages of caregiver responsibilities may stretch through
CAREGIVER RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE:
- a. Pre-transplant period
- b. Hospital Stay
- c. Post-Transplant
11.1.During pre-Transplant Period, Caregivers May Need To:
- a. Act as advocate; for the patient.
- b. Attend physician appointments; to take notes and ask questions.
- c. Help with other needs; patient may have.
11.2. During Transplant Period, Caregivers May Need To:
While patient is in the hospital, caregivers should be available to;
-
a. Visit patient (but only one is allowed for reasons of infection control)
- b. Provide emotional support and encouragement.
- c. Update family and friends about how patient is doing.
11.3. During Post-Transplant Period, Caregivers May Need To:
Post-transplant caregivers may need to;
-
a. Help patient with catheter care or intravenous or I.V. medication.
- b. If needed or as advised, drive patient to physician appointments a couple times a week.
- c. Make sure patient eat properly and prepare meals, if necessary.
- d. Help patient take your medications on time.
- e. Do household chores that physician will not permit patient to do.
- f. Run errands.
- g. Inform the BMT Team of changes in patient’s health.