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.