If you don’t live with the person with pancreatic cancer
If you are providing care to the person with pancreatic cancer, it is fine for you to visit them, as long as you don’t have symptoms of coronavirus. You should wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you arrive, and often while you are there. In England, only people in a support bubble should provide care – although professional carers are still allowed to visit.
Depending on where you live, you may be able to meet people you don’t live with. Read about current restrictions. You should try to maintain social distancing, keeping 2 metres away from them. This is to protect them from getting coronavirus.
If either you or the person with pancreatic cancer live alone, you could think about forming a support bubble or extended household (depending on where you live). Read more about support bubbles and extended households.
Carers UK have lots of information about coronavirus for carers.
Making plans for supporting someone with pancreatic cancer
You may find it helpful to plan ahead with the person with pancreatic cancer, to help you both cope with the coronavirus situation. It may be helpful to talk to family and friends about what’s needed.
The person with pancreatic cancer may rely on the support of family, friends and neighbours – for example, to help with getting shopping and medicines. You could try arranging a rota of who does what to share this out. There are services that have been set up across the UK that can also provide support. You can contact the NHS Volunteer Responders for help with shopping and other essential supplies. There may also be local voluntary groups that can provide support – look on the COVID-19 Mutual Aid UK website to see if there’s a group near you.
If you are caring for someone with pancreatic cancer, it’s a good idea to make a plan in case you become unwell. Work out if there’s somebody the person with pancreatic cancer could stay with, or who might be able to care for them. If you need help with care but you’re not sure who to contact, or if you don’t have family or friends who can help, you can contact your local council or NHS Trust, who should be able to help.
Note down the following key information, and share it with others:
- the name and address and any other contact details of the person you look after
- who you and the person you care for would like to be contacted in an emergency
- details of any medication they are taking
- details of any ongoing treatment they need
- contact details for their GP and medical team
- details of any medical appointments they need to keep.
It’s a good idea to pack a hospital bag for the person with pancreatic cancer, in case they do catch coronavirus and have to go to hospital. Include their emergency contacts, any medicines, pancreatic enzymes such as Creon, as well as things they might need for staying overnight such as night clothes, and a toothbrush.
Carers UK also have information for people caring for others.