A loved one who has been diagnosed with cancer benefits from emotional and physical support. Since most cancer patients today are treated as outpatients and do not spend significant time in the hospital, providing care, help, and encouragement at home are appreciated.

What is the biggest risk factor for cancer?

Growing older is the most significant risk factor for cancer. Just one percent of all cancer diagnoses are given to Americans under the age of 20. For adults 60 and over, the number of cancer cases rises exponentially to 1,000 per 100,000 seniors.

The average age of receiving a cancer diagnosis is 66, according to the National Cancer Institute. Further backing up the fact that older age increases risk are the statistics: 24.1 cancer cases are diagnosed between the ages of 55 and 64; and 29.7 cases are diagnosed between ages 65-74.

How can cancer patients be supported?

Cancer brings about changes. But older adults who receive strong emotional support tend to adjust better, display a more positive outlook, and report a higher quality of life. By showing the elderly cancer patient they are still important to them, loved ones can make a big difference in their life.

1. Maintain Communication

A serious illness like cancer can alter a senior’s appearance or physical abilities. Rather than comment on how they look, show them how much they are cared for. Send brief text messages or make frequent calls. After the calls, say “I’ll be in touch again soon,” and follow through.

People with cancer often say their friends and families no longer call after their diagnosis. Stay meaningfully present in the senior’s life by checking in regularly, even if that means over the long haul. Cancer treatments can extend for prolonged periods.

2. Make Frequent Visits

Cancer can be an isolating disease. In-person visits, however, can help an aging cancer patient feel like they were before being diagnosed. Respect their condition and call prior to visiting; if they are unable to accept the visit, be understanding.

Short, frequent visits offer greater social benefits than long, infrequent ones. Share a movie, book, or music with the senior. Bring knitting needles or a crossword puzzle to keep busy while the aging adult dozes off—the companionship is still valuable to them.

3. Conduct Errands

Families want to help loved ones facing a difficult time. Take care of pressing errands that the senior needs done. When necessary, handle errands for their family caregiver, which can be just as important to the elderly individual. Offer to help on a regular basis.

Example of errands families can run include shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables, going to the post office or picking up medications. Clean the home or mow the lawn. Tasks do not need to be done single-handedly; rather, enlist the support of friends, neighbors, and other family members.

Prepare nutritious meals that can be frozen and enjoyed later. When preparing lunch or dinner for a senior who is undergoing chemotherapy, ask them what they feel like eating. If the senior has a library card, return, or pick up library books, movies, or audiobooks.

4. Hold Conversations

It may be difficult to know what to say to a senior who has cancer. The most important part of communicating is being willing to listen. Hear and understand what the aging adult has to say. If they don’t feel like talking, let them know that is okay, too.

Approach conversations with compassion. This means choosing conversations that factor in the senior’s attention span; this way, they will not feel guilty when they are unable to talk. Discuss topics that bring out good feelings, such as sports, movies, travel, or pets.

Help the senior stay active in their role within the relationship by asking for opinions and advice, even if the expected responses are not received. Embrace the older adult’s feelings by allowing them to be negative, withdrawn, or silent. Include the senior in talks when others are in the room.

5. Give Gifts

Practical gifts that a cancer patient can use are appreciated. Consider their average day and think about what can make it better. Fun gifts bring out laughter while thoughtful tokens make the senior smile. Give gifts to the caregiver, too, which are as welcome as giving them to the senior.

Give small gifts, like a pair of silly socks, frequently rather than large ones infrequently. The elderly individual may find delight in a fun scarf. A silk or satin pillowcase can make sleep more luxurious. Pajamas, a robe, scented lotion, or soap and soft towels are practical, useful gifts.

Receiving a life-threatening diagnosis can be a time of crisis in a senior’s life. It’s important for families to keep daily life as normal as possible for the aging loved one. Assisting Hands Home Care can make each day comfortable, safe, and engaging for seniors with cancer.

Our top-rated home care agency offers a wide range of non-medical home health care services that support older adults. Professional caregivers are available to perform many of the abovementioned tasks, such as providing pleasant companionship, preparing meals, and shopping for groceries.

Care responsibilities extend even further. Our caregivers provide timely medication reminders, safely transport elderly care recipients to areas within the community, perform light housekeeping, and discreetly help with incontinence issues and personal hygiene activities, such as grooming, bathing, toileting, and dressing.

Assisting Hands Home Care services are flexible. Families that provide most of the hands-on care may opt for our respite care services. When family caregivers are unable to supervise a loved one, we can provide hourly care,  24-hour care, hospital companions, post-hospitalization care, or end of life care.

Seniors who are diagnosed with cancer need extra help at home. Assisting Hands Home Care provides the services they need to live with dignity. We serve adults and seniors living in  BallenIsles,  Boynton Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Singer Island, Wellington, West Palm Beach, Florida, and the surrounding areas. Call us today at (561) 566-5989 to schedule a free in-home consult and learn how we can help you and your family.