Cancer Care
By Sandra Doru
For a person dealing with the reality of cancer, there is often a strong desire to remain in the familiarity and comfort of home but facing the need for continuous medical care and support with daily living. Live-in home care offers a solution that enables a person to stay at home and their ongoing and often changeable care needs to be met.
Live-in home care provides the support of a trained caregiver to providing assistance throughout the day and peace of mind at night. Live-in carers can offer various types of care, from managing daily activities to observing for any changes in the client’s health status, which might require immediate attention.
Understanding the Needs of Cancer Patients at Home
When it comes to supporting older adults with cancer, their needs extend beyond simple daily living support. These clients can require a more complex web of care, largely often due to the side effects of their disease and treatment.
Personal CareActivities of daily living, including eating, dressing, bathing, and moving around, can become challenging. Live-in caregivers can help with these tasks, preserving the dignity and independence of the client.
Household TasksHousehold tasks such as laundry, meal preparation, grocery shopping, and cleaning often become too strenuous. A live-in caregiver can manage these duties, allowing the client to conserve energy for their recovery.
Medication ManagementCancer treatments often involve intricate medication schedules that can be difficult for older people to manage alone. A live-in carer can ensure timely and accurate administration of medication throughout the day.
Emotional SupportThe emotional effect of dealing with cancer can be significant. Live-in caregivers offer companionship and emotional support, essential for maintaining mental well-being.
Monitoring Side Effects
Dealing with cancer isn't just about addressing the disease; it's also managing the side effects from both the cancer and its treatment. Some common side effects that need careful monitoring and support include:
1 — Fatigue
This is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment. Caregivers can encourage rest, help with energy-conserving strategies, and provide aid in tasks that have become too tiring for the client.
2 — Nausea and Vomiting
These symptoms can be controlled with medications, but caregivers need to monitor their occurrence, frequency, and severity, and report back to the healthcare team.
3 — Pain
Pain management is critical for cancer patients and a live-in caregivers can help track pain levels and administer pain relief medication as prescribed. The oversight throughout the day means a client can be supported in a timely way and outside support of professionals brought in if needed.
4 — Changes in Appetite and Weight
Cancer and its treatment can affect a person’s appetite, often from symptoms that will reduce appetite, such as nausea and pain, potentially leading to weight loss. Caregivers can assist in creating an appealing and nutritious meal plan, and offer small, frequent meals throughout the day, rather than keeping a three-meal-a-day routine.
Meals can be served when a client is is pain-free and has the most energy, such as morning, mid-afternoon, and after pain medication. With professional advice, they can also adjust food consistency if the client has difficultly chewing or swallowing.
Emphasising Holistic Care
While medical and physical needs are critical, the holistic live-in care approach recognises the importance of mental and emotional well-being too. Dealing with cancer can be an isolating experience, leading to feelings of anxiety and depression. Live-in caregivers can offer a listening ear, companionship, and engage in activities that uplift the client’s spirits. They also provide respite for family members, who may find the caregiver role overwhelming.
A critical part of holistic care is respecting the client’s wishes. If an older adult with cancer wishes to remain at home, live-in care facilitates this, providing care within a familiar and comforting environment. This freedom of choice is not just about comfort; research shows that people recover better when they're in a positive emotional state, something that their own home often provides.
Tailored 1-1 Support
While live-in caregivers provide a significant level of support, they do not replace the medical team. Instead, they act as an essential link between the client and their healthcare providers. They relay critical information about the person’s condition, respond to emergencies, and implement the care plan.
Live-in home care addresses diverse needs, from daily living assistance to symptom management, while also providing emotional support. When well-coordinated with the client’s medical team, this approach can offer comprehensive, person-centred care in the comfort of home.
If you’d like to know more about the process of setting up live-in care, read our article on How Live-In Care Works