For caregivers

Caregiver support services

Caregivers learn as much as they can and go to great lengths to help loved ones make informed decisions about their care. City of Hope makes it a priority to include the caregiver in discussions about the loved one's treatment plan, offering helpful information about cancer, treatment options, side effect management techniques and overall health.

Our experienced team handles the various administrative responsibilities involved, such as scheduling appointments and maintaining medical records, so caregivers can fully focus on their loved one’s health and healing.

In fighting cancer, our personalized, supportive care model combines conventional and innovative cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. We also provide evidence-informed supportive care services like nutrition therapy, physical therapy and pain management to help patients reduce pain and maintain their strength throughout treatment.

What is cancer?

Cancer is a complex disease triggered by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. It is not one disease, but many, each with its own characteristics, signs, symptoms and detection and treatment protocols. Understanding your loved one's diagnosis and what to expect in terms of side effects and treatment needs may help you better prepare for the road ahead.

Learn more here: What is oncology?

Peace of mind

At City of Hope, we put the patient at the center of care, developing customized treatment plans tailored to each person’s unique needs. Hands-on guidance from our staff is intended to help make living with cancer as stress-free as possible, for both the patient and the caregiver(s).

An all-in-one approach

For patients treating at a City of Hope hospital, most or all treatments and appointments will take place there. This allows members of each patient’s care team—from oncologists to supportive care clinicians—to be available to speak to both patient and caregiver. The team talks to one another, collaborating on the patient’s progress and making adjustments to the treatment plan when necessary.

Coordinating your care

At our hospitals, an experienced nurse (usually a nurse navigator) is assigned to each patient, handling the time-consuming logistics of tasks like scheduling appointments and connecting patients and/or caregivers with their doctors so that the patient and caregiver can focus all of their energy on getting well.

Patient-centric care

At City of Hope, we strive to make our patients and caregivers as comfortable as possible, including offering:

• Reduced rates at on-and off-site guest rooms
• Healthy, high-quality and competitively priced meals at our hospitals
• Resource centers with computers and internet access to help keep up with work and family at home during their stay.

Supportive care services

Caring for a loved one with cancer can be stressful, which is why we offer many services for caregivers as well:

Support groups: Cancer Fighters^® is a community of patients and caregivers who nurture and empower one another and local communities to take action, inspire optimism and embrace life. Talk about your experiences and learn from others in our regular support group sessions.

Spiritual support: We offer support for all religious affiliations. Our pastoral care team works with the care team to provide spiritual support throughout treatment.