Things You Should Know.

Caring for someone with an aggressive cancer like mesothelioma can be very taxing on family members and loved ones. Common tasks a caregiver may take on include feeding and bathing your loved one, assisting with housekeeping, transporting them to and from medical appointments, administering and tracking medication, and sometimes managing financial and legal matters.

Although it can feel very isolating, it’s important to remember that as a caregiver, you are not alone. There are many support resources available to caregivers. It’s also important to keep in mind that it’s OK to be overwhelmed. Taking time to care for yourself will allow you to provide better care to your loved one.

Unlike formal caregivers, who are paid to provide care, an informal caregiver is an unpaid individual who assumes the responsibility of assisting another person, typically an ailing loved one, with their daily life and medical needs. Serving as a mesothelioma caregiver can quickly become an overwhelming and isolating task, especially if you don’t have previous caregiving experience. During this time, caring for yourself becomes as important as caring for your loved one.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the mesothelium, the thin tissue lining that covers many of the internal organs. There are three forms of the disease: pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma. Tumors grow on the pleura or lining of the lungs and chest cavity. The second most common form is peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdomen. The rarest, pericardial mesothelioma develops on the lining of the heart.

Find Assisted Living or Hospice Care

Many seniors diagnosed with mesothelioma are eventually placed in an assisted living home or hospice. Below are a few resources to help you find reputable assisted living facilities or hospice care centers.

• Senior Living 
• Assisted Living Social
• A Place For Mom
• National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization 
• Medicare 
• Livestrong

The Mesothelioma Hub team is here to serve as a resource for you. If you have questions about support, treatment, taking legal action, or any other mesothelioma-related concern, give our team a call to speak with a patient advocate.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the mesothelium, the thin tissue lining that covers many of the internal organs.