Caregivers for stem cell transplant recipients deal with a lot of responsibility and uncertainty. Many find their role very stressful and burnout is common. Practicing self-care helps caregivers maintain both their physical and emotional health. Many thanks to Takeda Pharmaceutical Company whose support, in part, made this presentation possible.

Caregivers are critical to the United States (US) Health Care system as more procedures are moved outpatient and home care is required. Yet they must deal with the emotional toll of the responsibilities, the financial impact of being a caregiver and the accompanying negative emotions. Often times, caregivers are required to perform tasks previously performed by medical professionals yet caregivers don’t necessarily have the training. Just like the cancer patients, caregivers experience a whole range of negative emotions which need to be acknowledged and addressed.

Caregiving for transplant recipients is a demanding task for which there is little preparation. Caregivers face practical, emotional, and social challenges caring for transplant recipients while also maintaining their own roles. This presentation discusses caregiver challenges and offers some methods for meeting them.

Recovering from a transplant poses many challenges for a patient’s personal relationships with spouses, partners, family members, and friends. While they may wish for a return to “normal,” this may not be possible and new standards for “normal” may emerge. This presentation offers strategies for navigating these changing relationships and fostering positive outcomes