(HealthDayNews) -- If a family member or partner has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, you may have to add "primary caregiver" to your list of responsibilities.
The Cleveland Clinic advises you to:
- Listen to your partner's feelings and fears, and acknowledge your own feelings.
- Learn about treatment options with your partner.
- Don't falsely reassure your partner that there's nothing to worry about.
- Don't feel the need to fix everything.
- Have at least one person you can talk to besides your partner.
- Accept help from those who offer.
- Eat well, and get enough sleep.
- Take the time to be alone when you need to.
- Cry, if you feel like it, even if it's in front of your partner.
- Hire someone to help with household chores, if finances allow.
