Support at home for you and your family
You might need some care and support at home due to cancer or its treatment. A lot of practical and emotional support is available to you.
GP and nursing support
Your GP manages your healthcare when you are at home. They can help with any medical problems that come up. They can also make referrals to a community service for you. The availability of the different community services may vary, depending on where you live.
District nurses
These nurses work in different places in your local area and may visit you in your home. They can:
- give medicines or injections
- check temperature, blood pressure and breathing
- clean and dress wounds
- monitor or set up drips
- give emotional support
- teach basic caring skills to family members where needed
- get special equipment, such as commodes or bed pans
Community specialist palliative care nurses
Community specialist palliative care nurses include Macmillan nurses and hospice nurses. They specialise in symptom management such as pain control, sickness, and other cancer symptoms. They also give emotional support to you and your carers.
Marie Curie Nurses
Marie Curie nurses give nursing care to people with secondary breast cancer in their own homes. They can visit during the day or spend the night to give your carers a break.
Social workers
Social workers can arrange:
- home helps to help with shopping or housework
- home care assistants for washing and dressing
- meals on wheels
Your social worker can also help with money matters by checking you get all the benefits you’re entitled to. Or they can arrange charity grants for things like extra heating costs or special diets.
Contact a social worker yourself by getting in touch with your local social services office. Or ask your specialist nurse or your GP to refer you.
Local support services
There are many other sorts of help you can get. Services vary from place to place.
Sometimes local voluntary groups offer sitting services. Someone comes to stay with you while your relative goes out.
Good neighbour schemes offer befriending or practical help with shopping or transport.
Local cancer support groups often offer practical help. And they are a good source of information about services in your area. Ask your doctor or nurse about local groups.
Cancer Research UK nurses
Breast cancer specialist support
You should have the contact details for a breast care nurse. They are trained in supporting you before, during and after your breast cancer treatment.
Some women develop lymphoedema during or after their treatment. This is a long term swelling due to fluid build up. Lymphoedema specialist nurses often run clinics and provide practical and emotional support.
