Caregivers Need Support Too: Navigating Cancer, Burnout & Asking for Help

When cancer enters a family, the caregiver’s life changes too. In this episode of Veteran Cancer Talk, Ashton Kroner sits down with Jennifer Schwarz, Vice President and co-owner of Senior Helpers West Jacksonville, to talk about the realities of caregiving, asking for help, caregiver burnout, and finding the right support system. Jennifer brings more than a decade of experience helping families remain safe and supported at home, along with personal experience as a caregiver herself and deep connections to the veteran community. Together, Ashton and Jennifer discuss: • What caregiver burnout can look like before it becomes overwhelming • Why asking for help can be especially difficult for veterans • Practical ways caregivers can reduce their daily workload • In-home caregiving and respite support • VA homemaker, home health aide, and respite care options • Organizing appointments after a cancer diagnosis • The importance of peer-to-peer support • Mental health and emotional support for caregivers • What palliative care really means—and why it does not automatically mean end-of-life care • Navigating remission and scan anxiety • How families, nonprofits, healthcare teams, and community organizations can better support caregivers Jennifer also shares one of the most important reminders for anyone stepping into the caregiver role for the first time: be patient with yourself, give yourself grace, identify your resources, and lean on the people and organizations willing to help. Learn more about Veteran Cancer Network and our veteran cancer peer support programs at: VeteranCancerNetwork.org Learn more about Senior Helpers at SeniorHelpers.com and search for the West Jacksonville location. Veteran Cancer Talk is presented by Veteran Cancer Network. Earlier Answers. Stronger Futures.