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.