Cancer Care for Seniors

Cancer is a medical term that describes a large group of different diseases that have some common characteristics. Cancer occurs when some of the body's cells divide without control or order. Some parts of the body are more likely to develop cancer than others.

Cancer care for seniors is a growing concern for the baby boomer generation, who are at an increased risk for the disease. The American Cancer Society estimates that there are nearly 17 million cancer survivors in the United States.

But the issue of cancer care for seniors is not just a demographic one. The number of people with cancer is growing, as is the number of people who are living longer after their diagnosis. As the baby boomer generation gets older, we will see more and more seniors with cancer.

Many of the boomers who are diagnosed with cancer will need home care because they are unable to work full-time.

What Are the Benefits of Home Care for Seniors with Cancer?

1. It can save money.

2. Home care can be less expensive than other care options.

3. It can help the patient maintain their independence.

4. It can give the patient time to adjust to their diagnosis.

5. It may reduce the emotional impact of a patient’s diagnosis.

6. It can help the patient relieve stress.

7. Housekeeping, laundry, cooking, bathing, grooming, mobility assistance, medication management

8. Socialization and personal care

How Can Home Care for Seniors with Cancer Reduce the Emotional Impact of the Diagnosis?

Many seniors who receive a cancer diagnosis experience a wide range of emotions, including fear, anger, and sadness. It is not uncommon for seniors to experience depression. If you have a loved one with cancer, you may experience the same emotions, or you may experience them in addition to your loved one’s emotions.

Caring for someone with cancer can be emotionally draining. The family caregiver may experience depression or anxiety. The emotional toll that is taken on the family caregiver can be as hard as the physical toll that is taken on the patient.

When the patient is home, a home care provider can support, guide, and help the patient through the emotional impact of the cancer diagnosis.

What Are the Challenges of Caring for Seniors with Cancer?

Cancer is a chronic disease that can change a person's life in many ways. For one, it can alter a person's appearance. Some cancers affect the skin, so people who develop these cancers often lose a lot of their hair or have parts of their skin removed. Other cancers affect internal organs, which can result in weight loss or other physical changes.

Perhaps the most difficult part of having cancer is the treatments. Although there are many different types of cancer, the most common treatments are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. These treatments can have negative side effects. Radiation treatments can damage the skin or internal organs and can cause nausea and vomiting. Chemotherapy can also have side effects that are serious, including hair loss and nausea. Some people even lose their hair after having surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from their body.

Conclusion

Caring for seniors with cancer can be difficult, they often face a lot of emotional stress. While cancer can be hard to deal with, it is important to remember that there are support groups for cancer patients and home care available to them.

If your senior is suffering from cancer, home care may be a good option for you. Call us today for a free consultation!

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1464018/

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-basics/what-is-cancer.html