Offering Emotional Support to Your Loved One as They Live with Cancer

Finding out that your aging parent has cancer can be one of the most difficult times of your life.  As their adult child, you are thinking about your loved one, the suffering that they might experience, and the possibility of their life being shortened as a result of the disease.  As their family caregiver, you are thinking about the additional care that they will need as they either undergo treatments or live with the condition throughout its course.

In both of your roles, one of the most important things that you will need to do is ensure that you are addressing not just your parent’s physical needs, but also their emotional needs.
Knowing that your aging parent has cancer is extremely difficult for you, but it is important for you to recognize the impact that it makes on your senior as well.  Offering them the emotional support that they need can help your parent to maintain better mental and emotional health, support greater motivation to handle their physical needs, and encourage a more meaningful quality of life as they deal with this disease.

Use these tips to offer emotional support to your aging parent as they live with cancer:

• Consider them first.

Remember that while you are dealing with the stress of caring for your parent as they deal with cancer, this is their journey.  They are the ones who are living with this disease and the ones who will need to cope with this reality the most.  When you are having a difficult time, consider them first.  Think about how they are feeling and take the effort to help them rather than immediately expressing your own feelings.

• Show respect.

It is natural to have your own thoughts and opinions about how your parent should deal with this disease, but it is important to remember that this is not your choice.  Empower your parent to make the decisions that are right for them, and if they choose something that you wouldn’t, show respect and nurturing by supporting their choice.

• Be there for them.

Your parent might not seem as though they are struggling with their condition, but make sure that it is clear that you are there for them.  Let them know that you are available to listen to them whenever they want to talk about what they are going through, and then be there to listen, support, and encourage them when they need you

Your parent might not seem as though they are struggling with their condition, but make sure that it is clear that you are there for them.  Let them know that you are available to listen to them whenever they want to talk about what they are going through, and then be there to listen, support, and encourage them when they need you

What Can you do?

Whether your aging parent is living with cancer or struggling with some other health problem or needs, if you do not feel that your caregiver efforts are giving them all that they need, now may be the ideal time for you to consider home care for them.  A care provider can fill these care gaps in the way that is right for them so that your parent is able to manage their personal needs, challenges, and limitations while pursuing a lifestyle that is active, engaged, fulfilling, and independent throughout their later years.  When it comes to helping a senior who is going through a journey with cancer, this care provider can be invaluable.  Their companionship and emotional support can help your parent deal with the mental and emotional issues surrounding cancer and help them to maintain a lifestyle that is meaningful and enjoyable during this chapter.  They can also provide personalized reminders to ensure that your parent remains compliant with their medications, treatments, and other guidelines from their doctor so that they can maintain the best health possible.

When it comes to helping a senior who is going through a journey with cancer, this care provider can be invaluable.  Their companionship and emotional support can help your parent deal with the mental and emotional issues surrounding cancer and help them to maintain a lifestyle that is meaningful and enjoyable during this chapter.  They can also provide personalized reminders to ensure that your parent remains compliant with their medications, treatments, and other guidelines from their doctor so that they can maintain the best health possible.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering homecare in Fresno, CA, please contact the caring staff at Valley Home Care.  Call (800) 604-5180

Source:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1500929/