Talking about cancer treatment many not be something that you ever want to consider when caring for your aging loved one. Being honest about this issue, however, is an important part of making sure that if your senior does develop cancer, they will be able to confront this disease in the way that is right for them. This conversation is one that you are likely to have more than once. You should start talking about it at the beginning of the experience, when your parent is preparing for screening in order to give them a chance to evaluate their thoughts and opinions about the issue with a clear mind. You should then revisit the issue after a diagnosis to reiterate their previous thoughts and opinions and determine if they have changed. This ensures that your parent will be able to pursue the care, treatment, and management that is right for them.
Use these tips to help you talk to your parent about breast cancer treatment options:
Let them lead the conversation. Remember this is their journey and their health, and they should be the one that is making the decisions.
Encourage them to explore options that they might not have previously considered so that they understand the options that are available to them and can make a fully informed decision.
Empower them to seek treatment and management from another medical team if their current doctor is not receptive to their choices.
Remind them that they can change their mind and pursue other forms of treatment and management during their experience if needed.
Talk to them about the benefits of home care and how it can help them throughout their cancer journey.
Prepare yourself for the possibility that their decision regarding treatment might be that they do not wish to pursue treatment at all. Even if this is upsetting to you, it is important that you are supportive and encouraging to them.
Home care can be a fantastic addition to your caregiver journey with your elderly parent. With an in-home senior care services provider your aging parent will have access to the care, support, and assistance that they need, as well as the added benefit of additional companionship and social interaction. The personalized services this care provider can give to your parent are tailored to your parents individual needs, challenges, and limitations, and designed to help your parent stay healthy, safe, and comfortable while also encouraging greater activity, engagement, fulfillment, and independence. As a family caregiver, this can give you a greater sense of confidence that both when you are able to be with your parent and when you are not, they are getting everything that they need to live their highest quality of life as they age in place.
https://pinkwarrior.com/
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care services in Minneapolis, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.
