Among people 65 or older, about 2.2% are diagnosed with some form of cancer. Advancing age does increase the risk. The three most common treatment paths for cancer are surgical removal of the cancerous mass, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Advancements in medicine and diagnosing cancer early offer the best chances to beat cancer, but it’s not all your mom needs. She needs support at home as she undergoes treatments. Companion care at home provides the opportunity to ensure she’s supported.
Arrange Transportation for Follow-Up Appointments and Treatments
Your mom shouldn’t drive herself to her treatments and follow-up appointments. She’ll need someone to drive her to chemotherapy and radiation sessions. Even routine appointments will be stressful for her. Make sure she has someone available to accompany her.
If you can’t get out of work or live too far away to make every appointment, companion care aides are a helpful alternative. Your mom has a friend with her for support and to take notes if she’s stressed, anxious, and not absorbing everything her doctor tells her.
Have Help Around the Home
With all of her appointments and care needs, even if she feels okay, your mom may find it hard to keep up with her housekeeping chores. Hire a caregiver to change her sheets, make the bed, vacuum carpets, and sanitize surfaces.
Your mom’s immune system may be weakened by her medications and treatments. She needs someone to take steps to keep germs out of her home. Wiping down remotes, doorknobs, faucets, and light switches is essential.
Your mom’s caregiver can steam mop hardwood, tile, or vinyl flooring to keep bacteria and viruses away. Cleaning counters and sinks and washing dishes or running the dishwasher is also available through companion care at home.
She May Not Feel Great
As your mom goes through radiation and chemo treatments, she may not feel well. Don’t leave her alone. She’ll be weak and find it draining to do something as simple as walk from the living room to the bathroom. Your mom may struggle to even stand up without support.
Over time, her strength will return. But, do all that you can while she is having a harder time catching her breath or experiencing nausea. Have a companion care aide cook meals, get her drinks, support her while she walks around, and do the housework.
Don’t wait until your mom is sick or struggling every day. As soon as her doctor informs her that she has cancer, arrange companion care at home services. Support her as much as you can, but make sure you have companion care aides to help her when you have to work or tend to your children or self-care needs.
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