Caregivers often run into situations where they may need financial or emotional help while caring for their loved ones. The Mesothelioma Center provides some resources for caregivers.

1. Resources for Mesothelioma
Caregivers
Dana Nolan, MS LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor

2. Asking for Help
and Accepting It
Caregivers may feel they should be able to “do
it all” because they aren’t the ones who are
sick.
Family caregivers provide care out of love and
may believe their performance is a
demonstration of how much they care about
their sick loved one.
Some people feel uncomfortable asking for or
accepting offers of help, regardless of the
situation.
(800) 615-2270

3. What Do Caregivers Need Help With?
 Financial support
 Transportation and
accommodation for treatment
 Practical help (house or yard
work, respite care, running
errands, baby-sitting)
 Emotional support
 Equipment, supplies
(800) 615-2270

4. National Organizations
Financial Assistance:
Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income
www.socialsecurity.gov
VA Benefits: Veterans with asbestos-related diseases may
be eligible for VA Disability Compensation. Surviving spouses
can receive money through Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation www.va.gov
Patient Advocate Foundation Co-pay Relief www.Copays.org
(800) 615-2270

5. National Organizations (Cont.)
Financial Assistance:
CancerCare www.cancercare.org/financial (Also provides travel
help)
HealthWell Foundation www.healthwellfoundation.org
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition www.cancerfac.org
NeedyMeds www.needymeds.org
(800) 615-2270

6. Trusts and Legal Help
 Asbestos Trust Funds: More than $30 billion
sit in trust funds uniquely created to
compensate those affected by mesothelioma.
 Lawsuits: The unfortunate truth is that
sometimes you are forced to sue someone to
get what’s rightfully yours. This may mean
filing a claim against companies responsible.
(800) 615-2270

7. National Organizations
Transportation:
Angel Flight www.Angelflight.com
Corporate Angel Network www.corpangelnetwork.org
American Cancer Society (volunteer drivers)
www.cancer.org
(800) 615-2270

8. National Organizations (Cont.)
Emotional Support
Caring.com (online support group for caregivers)
Find a Therapist/Psychology Today
(800) 615-2270

9. National Organizations (Cont.)
Practical Help:
Cleaning for a Reason www.cleaningforareason.org
American Cancer Society (database of free or reduced
cost medical supplies/medical equipment) www.cancer.org
(800) 615-2270

10. Finding State and Local Resources
Resources to assist cancer patients and caregivers vary
from state to state:
Examples of some resources and services
 Free or reduced-cost respite care for caregivers
 Case management services
 Grants for transportation to and from treatment
(800) 615-2270

11. Finding State and Local Resources (Cont.)
Finding what is available in your state:
Go to your state’s government website and search for
“caregiver services” or “cancer patient services.”
(800) 615-2270

12. Finding Support in Your Community
Oncology social worker
Many comprehensive cancer treatment centers employ social
workers that specialize in assisting cancer patient and
caregivers.
Senior Centers
May have caregiver support groups.
May provide referral sources and info on caregiver resources
in the area.
(800) 615-2270

13. Local and Community Resources
 Even greater variation in caregiver support
services at the local level.
 Urban areas usually have more options than
rural areas.
(800) 615-2270

14. Local Support (Cont.)
Churches and temples
May have faith-based caregiver and cancer support
groups.
Volunteers may offer rides to and from treatment,
help with meals or even crisis financial support.
Caregiver support organization
Provides on-site respite care.
Counseling for caregivers.
Case managers who specialize in caregiving.
(800) 615-2270

15. Help for Mesothelioma Caregivers
Being a caregiver is stressful in many ways.
It is okay to seek and accept help as a caregiver.
There is a lot of support and assistance
available if you know where to look.
(800) 615-2270

16. Contact Information
1-800-615-2270
(800) 615-2270