Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that is found in some homes and not others. It affects air and water quality and is a leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. It's estimated that exposure to just 4 pCi/L of radon is around the equivalent exposure to 35 times the exposure you'd be subjected to standing near a radioactive waste site's perimeter.
You've learned that the hard way. Your mom has lung cancer. You're trying to coordinate her care and need to know what to expect. Here are the things that will help her as she undergoes lung cancer treatments.
Cleaning and Laundry
Give your mom a break. Hire senior care services like cleaning and laundry to lessen the weekly chores she has to complete. If she feels good, she can help out. If not, the caregiver makes sure things are clean and disinfected.
The other reason you want cleaning and laundry services is that your mom needs to heal in a sterile environment. She doesn't want a virus or bacterial infection setting her back. Caregivers can wipe down frequently used surfaces with products that kill germs.
Meal Preparation Services
Your mom will be tired after treatments. There may be times when she doesn't feel like eating. Someone needs to make sure she has small meals to keep her body nourished. She needs to have plenty to drink.
Caregivers can do her shopping for her, pick up her prescriptions, and run other errands for her. The caregiver can stick around after she eats and make sure her meals and snacks settle okay. If not, the caregiver can prepare something else or alert doctors if there are issues.
Transportation Services
If your mom needs chemo or radiation treatments, she may not feel great. She may need to undergo surgery. Driving to and from a clinic will require her to have someone to drive her. Make sure she has someone available to drive her.
It could be you, so you may need to arrange time off work. If you can't get out of work, a sibling, another relative, or family friend may need to help. If that's not going to work, professional caregivers can bring her to her appointments and drive her back home.
Don't Forget Self-Care
Balance your responsibilities as a family caregiver with the help of senior care services. You should help your mom as much as possible, but you can't ignore your children, job, or household responsibilities at this time. You also need to focus on self-care so that you remain healthy. A senior care agency will help you schedule caregivers for respite care.
Sources:
https://www.radon.com/radon_facts/
If you or an aging loved one are considering non-medical in-home care in Jacksonville, FL, call Griswold Home Care
and speak to one of our caring staff members today. Call (904) 342-6040