Coping with the Uncertainty of Cancer

If your older family member has been recently diagnosed with cancer, they may have a lot of worries. Many of those worries probably center around a feeling of uncertainty. They might feel like their life has been turned upside down and have no idea what the future holds for them. Understanding the uncertainties of cancer and how to cope with them could make the cancer experience a bit easier for your aging relative.

Caregiver in Loveland CO: Uncertainty of Cancer
Caregiver in Loveland CO: Uncertainty of Cancer


What Causes Seniors to Feel Uncertain?

While the specific things that are causing worry in your loved one may be different from others, many cancer patients have these uncertainties in common:


-Putting Plans on Hold: It can be hard for seniors to plan for things when they aren’t sure what the future holds. Their health can change from day to day, making it difficult to even plan a lunch date with a friend.


-Fears About Treatment: Seniors may feel uncertain about the cancer treatment they will be receiving. They may literally be unsure of what the treatment entails, in which case they should talk to the doctor and ask questions to help them understand. Or, they may wonder how their body will react to the treatment and what side effects they might experience. In addition, they may worry that the treatment won’t work.


–Returning Cancer: Lots of cancer survivors worry that their cancer will one day return. This can lead to a lot of anxiety as the older adult watches for any little symptom that they think could signal a recurrence.



What Can Seniors Do to Cope with Uncertainty?

Helping the elder adult to find ways to live with the uncertainty of cancer is an important part of keeping them as healthy as possible. There are several things that family caregivers and older adults can do to relieve some of the uncertainty, such as:



-Support Group: A support group for cancer survivors can give your older family members somewhere to talk about their feelings and learn from others who are going through the same thing.



-Let Go: There are going to be some parts of dealing with cancer that is beyond the senior’s control. For example, there may be times when treatment is delayed or having to wait for the results of a test. Learning to let go of the things that cannot be controlled can relieve some stress and anxiety.



–Learn More: Knowing as much about the kind of cancer the senior has and what can be done to keep them as healthy as possible can be empowering.


Another way to help your loved one to live with the uncertainty of cancer is to hire a home care provider. A home care provider can offer encouragement and support during cancer treatment and recovery. Home care providers can also assist with things that may be difficult because of feeling unwell, such as keeping the house clean and making meals.

If you or an aging loved-one is considering hiring a Caregiver in Loveland, CO, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts at Home today at 303-255-4071.

Sources
Cancer.org
Cancer.net
Livestrong.org




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