​Is Your Senior at Higher Risk of Distress in Their Cancer Journey?

Home Health Care Highland Park IL - ​Is Your Senior at Higher Risk of Distress in Their Cancer Journey?

Recognizing risks that your senior is facing is one of the most important parts of helping them to protect their health and move through this experience in the best way possible. One risk that they may face is the possibility that they will suffer high levels of distress. “Distress” refers to the negative emotions and feelings that your parent could experience as a response to their cancer diagnosis and treatment, and can include depression, anxiety, fear, and hopelessness. While some such feelings are normal, when they reach high levels they can be detrimental to your parent’s health, well-being, and quality of life.  
 
Some ways that your parent might be at higher risk of distress in their cancer journey include: 

• Cognitive impairment or decreased cognitive functioning  
• Language barriers with those on their care team 
• Communication impairment  
• Physical limitations such as mobility problems 
• Suffering from more than one disease at once, referred to as comorbidity  
• History of depression 
• History of substance abuse, including alcohol 
• Experiencing family conflicts, particularly as related to their cancer journey or treatment options 
• Suffering from financial problems that might block them from pursuing the aggressive care approach that they desire, or from living the quality of life that they want 
• Not having enough social support from family, friends, or others 
• Living alone, particularly if they are isolated and not able to be visited by friends and family frequently  
• Suffering from symptoms that are not well-controlled by their treatments or that emerge from their treatments. 
 
 If you have found that your aging parent’s challenges and needs are more than you can handle as their family caregiver, or your own personal limitations and schedule have become such that you are not able to fulfill their needs in the way that you think they deserve, now may be the ideal time to consider home health care for them.

​As a family caregiver, it is your priority to make sure that your senior has the care, support, and assistance that they need to live their highest quality of life possible. Sometimes this means recognizing care gaps that might exist in your routine and finding ways to ensure that they are filled. A home health care provider can address these gaps, filling them in the way that is right for your parent, and for you, with highly personalized services tailored toward a lifestyle that is safe and healthy, as well as independent and fulfilling.  
 
Sources: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/emotional-side-effects/distress/is-extra-help-needed.html 
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/emotional-side-effects/distress/coping-tips.html  

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Health Care Services in Highland Park IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

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