Helping your loved one overcome cancer is a task that anyone can master. It’s harder to care for them when they’re elderly and already in poor health. There are several, major changes that you must make to your normal way of life. Here are a few tips to help you accomplish this endeavor.
Accompany Them to Doctor’s Visits
Elderly cancer patients may dread going to the hospital or doctor’s office, and many will make excuses to skip appointments. Every medical checkup that they go through is a terrifying experience, so provide your support by accompanying them or driving them to their appointments.
Prepare Recipes
Prepare healthy recipes that are ideal for mitigating the symptoms of cancer. Patients often suffer from recurring bouts of nausea, fatigue, insomnia and muscle weakness. Cook with natural, whole foods that provide the most effective benefits for improving one’s health. Juicing is one of the most effective methods of gaining the most nutrition from foods.
Find the Best Cancer Center
First, ask the physician who diagnosed you about the highest quality cancer center near you. It’s ideal to ask other doctors for their second and third opinions. Read customer reviews of current and former cancer patients who have undergone treatment there. Also, review the different types of innovative services and treatments that they provide, and research the effectiveness of each one.
Join a Support Group
Join a support group of similar cancer patients. Not every family member or friend is able to provide the emotional support you need. Ask your doctor for recommendations to local support groups. There, you’ll see people of related backgrounds and ages who are going through the same experience of overcoming cancer. Some people have an easier recovery when they can see other people who have the same problems.
Increase Home Comfort
Increase the level of comfort for sick elderly people at home. They need additional comfort to deal with increased pain, swelling, weakness and other frequent symptoms. Place more pillows around the house, and consider buying massaging chairs or therapeutic tubs.
Some sick people are not able to regulate their body temperatures properly, so they feel hotter or colder than others in the same room. Improve the insulation around the house by upgrading the heater or air conditioner.
Accept the fact that cancer does not go away overnight. Elderly people face greater health challenges when they have cancer on top of diabetes, heart disease or other conditions. In addition, there are the emotional, mental and financial tolls that a cancer diagnosis has on patients, caretakers and their families. Develop a detailed plan of love, support and companionship to help anyone get past this challenge.
