Caregiving 101: Getting Through the After-Diagnosis Phase

If you like watching movies, chances are you’ve seen many scenes where a character goes for a physical check-up to have a physician look at an unmanageable symptom. Later, as you might have predicted, the character receives a diagnosis of some incurable disease. The patient then reacts with either disbelief or indifference. What happens to them after finding out their diagnosis is a no-brainer: they are in shock and at a loss.

These touching scenes can be an accurate reflection of a real-life encounter with the truth, such as having a disease that worsens over time or that which has no cure. Often caregivers find themselves caring for people who are experiencing these tough moments, so they must be ready to help them in every possible way they can.

People who have received bad news regarding their health will have many needs. Here are some ways you as a caregiver can support patients in the early phase of their disease or those who have just been diagnosed with an illness:

1. Be there for the patient in times of doubt.

After diagnosis, patients have a lot of questions, some of which may not have answers at all. Patients become anxious in between more tests and procedures. Sometimes it is tempting to tell them that everything will be fine, but this does more harm than good. Assuring them of a positive result is not helpful at all, because there is a big chance that the doctor will find that something is indeed very wrong with their health. Instead of giving false reassurance, offer your support and just be there for them. An example of what to say is: "Let’s wait for the results of the tests and hear what your doctor has to say. Let me keep you company while you wait."

2. Help the patient adjust to their treatments.

Doctors will usually order treatments right after arriving at a diagnosis, and medications will surely be one of them. You must be there to remind the patient when to take their medications. There are also times that a change in the patient's diet or level of activity is needed. Do they need to shift to a low-fat, high-fiber diet? Or perhaps they must be temporarily confined to bed? These adjustments can be very upsetting and frustrating to a patient who is used to eating whatever they want, or those without any limitations in their activities.

3. Help patients spot new or worsening signs and symptoms.

The idea is to make the patient more aware of their health condition, especially if they are taking medications. New complaints may pinpoint medication side effects or failing treatments. If they feel that something is wrong, the caregiver must inform the supervisor and write these findings in the patient's health record so that the physician can act on them accordingly.

4. Help the patient get the information they need regarding their diagnosis.

The institution where you are working may have reading materials, such as pamphlets or guides that could provide information regarding their disease. You may also give them the contact number of the hospital's helpline where they can ask questions regarding their health.

5. Be familiar with the patient’s medications.

Although some caregivers are not allowed to administer a patient’s medications, it would be a big help if you become familiar with the pills that your patient is taking. Noting the color, shape, and size of all their medications, and knowing when they are due, ensures that patients stay safe as they follow treatment orders.

6. Remind the patient of things to be done.

A diagnosis that has just been confirmed could be a lot to take in for a patient. Their worries and fears sometimes make them lose track of what needs to be done. Reminding them of their treatments and doctor's appointments will give them a sense of control over their own health.

When caregivers actively care for patients who have just been diagnosed with an illness, they become instrumental in their patients' fast improvement and recovery.