Caring for an older loved one with cancer is not an easy task. However, it’s something that you likely feel is important for you to do, even with its emotional and logistical challenges. To help make caregiving for a loved one with cancer a little easier, here are a few tips:
1. Learn all that you can about your loved one’s cancer. This is an easy first step. In addition to information shared by the doctor, reliable websites for more information include the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s patient website. Write down any remaining questions you have so you can ask your loved one’s medical team.
2. Resolve to stay organized. This means organizing several types of information about your loved one, including:
- Appointment times and dates.
- Daily tasks that need to be done.
- Medications used.
- Names of doctors and contact information.
Spending some time in advance to get organized will help save you time in the long run and make life generally easier. If getting organized doesn’t come naturally to you, ask a trusted friend or family member for help.
3. Find help in advance. Even if caring for a senior loved one with cancer is your main daily responsibility, it still is nearly impossible to handle everything that needs to get done. To help manage this, reach out early on to others who can pinch hit as needed. That means talking to a neighbor, friend, or family member(s) who can help run an errand, pick up a prescription, or even just provide caregiving relief when needed. If you’re in a caregiving bind, Secure Aging can help out with our care management services.
4. Care for yourself. Caregivers often put everyone first but themselves. Don’t neglect your own physical and mental health. If you’re not well, you likely won’t feel strong enough to care for your senior loved one with cancer. A few tips to help manage your own health:
- Schedule regular check ups with your health providers.
- Reach out to trusted friends or other caregivers when you’re feeling stressed (online support groups can be a great resource for this).
- Take time to just relax and get away from your responsibilities.
- Don’t take bad days personally. There will definitely be challenging days when caring for a loved one with cancer. Accept that, don’t take it personally, and move on.
Call Secure Aging to Find Out How We Can Help Seniors With Care ManagementAt Secure Aging in Bradenton, we transform the weight of the world into a sigh of relief for our senior clients and their concerned family members. The mission of Secure Aging is to protect and preserve our client’s independence and dignity through careful and thoughtful financial and care management. As our clients age, it is their desire to remain independent and age with dignity. Our services protect our clients from talented con artists looking to exploit and deplete the financial resources of our vulnerable seniors. Secure Aging helps families in Manatee County and Sarasota County and in and around the communities of Anna Maria, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Ellenton, Holmes Beach, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Myakka City, Palmetto, Parrish, and Sarasota. Call us at 941-761-9338, or visit us online at www.secureaging.com.
