Cancer treatments can affect older people differently than they would affect a young person. When a senior is diagnosed with cancer, it can be challenging to accept and even harder for a senior to handle. It will be essential to have a support system for the whole family. One of the best things to do is ensure a home care system is in place before the treatments start.
Even if a senior does not need a home care assistant now, they may change their mind once treatment starts. It is important to set it up beforehand so the senior can build trust and a relationship with a caregiver.
A home care specialist can help make things easier in several ways. A cancer diagnosis is not easy to cope with when anyone gets cancer. It is something dreadful no one ever wants to get. However, this does not mean the end. Over two-thirds of cancer survivors were over the age of 65. This may give the family some hope and remember to believe in the best.
First Steps to Take After a Cancer Diagnosis
After the family has picked a home care provider to work with, it will be time to start helping the senior in all ways possible. If the family is concerned about the doctor’s appointments, the caregiver can take notes and report back to the family. This can help ease some stress. Here are some steps that can help the family cope.
Learn About The Cancer
There are various types of cancer, and each will target a specific area in the body. The senior will want to learn as much as possible, and so will the family. Caregivers can take notes and help the family understand what is happening in the senior’s body and each phase of the treatment process.
Form A Care Team
One of the most critical team members can be a home care provider, but a family will want more than that. It will truly depend on what the senior wants to do, so be aware of their feelings. If they feel up to it, they can go to multiple doctors to discuss various treatment options, therapists, or other support groups for other cancer patients.
Discuss Treatment Openly
There are going to be risks for an older person going through cancer treatment. It will be important to understand treatment options, the best solution, the highest chance of survival, and how long treatments will last.
Remember To Practice Self-Care
Although this may be harder for seniors, it will still be essential to encourage self-care. This can be in the form of meditation, yoga, a long bubble bath, or anything else that the senior enjoys doing. It is a way to manage stress during a challenging time and something to do while dealing with stress. A home care provider can help encourage self-care and family support.
The important thing is to stay united as a family and support each other through this hectic time. A senior diagnosed with cancer may be unsure how to feel, and that’s okay. Be there for them and ensure they have a strong support system.
If you or an aging loved one needs Home Care in Granite Bay, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
Sources:
https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/cancer-treatment-and-survivorship-facts-and-figures/cancer-treatment-and-survivorship-facts-and-figures-2019-2021.pdf
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