You don’t ever want to think about your aging parent suffering something as severe and life-changing as lung cancer. As their adult child, you think about their health and the detrimental impact that this disease can make on their functioning, how they feel, and even the length of their life.
As their family caregiver, however, you must think about the care needs that they will have as they fight this cancer, and on through their end-of-life transition. Planning ahead for these challenges is extremely important to making sure that you are ready to handle them in the way that is right for them. This starts with talking to your aging parent about the possibility that they might be suffering from this condition.
If your parent has shown symptoms of lung cancer, or their doctor has said that they are at increased risk, use these tips to sit down and talk to your parent about the possibility of lung cancer:
• Be honest. It can be uncomfortable to talk about this type of situation with your parent. You do not want to scare them or make them feel upset. Beating around the bush or trying to sugarcoat things, however, will only make the situation more uncomfortable. Be honest and upfront about the situation so that your parent will feel confident that you are there to help them, and that they can be honest with you.
• Make sure that they understand. If your parent is dealing with any kind of cognitive functioning decline, you may be concerned that they do not fully understand the situation. Make sure that your parent understands the risk that they are facing, why their doctor thinks that they are at this risk, and the steps that will be taken next. This can help them to feel more in control and cooperative.
• Talk about their health plans. Ask your parent how they might feel about different types of treatments so they can start thinking about the possibilities. Also talk to them about issues such as hospice, life support, resuscitation, and others so that they can start making decisions with a clear mind.
• Show respect. Remember that this is your parent’s journey, not yours. They might make decisions that you do not agree with, or that make you uncomfortable. Even if you feel that they are not making the right decision, show them respect and be there for them.
If you have been considering ways to improve your aging parent’s quality of life, boost their mental and emotional well-being, and support efforts to protect their health as they age in place, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting senior care for them. A senior home care services provider can be with your parent on a customized schedule to ensure that they have continued access to the care that they need.
These highly personalized services can include safe and reliable transportation to support activity and independence, medication and treatment reminders to help your parent stay compliant, assistance with personal care needs, mobility assistance, help with activities of daily living, and companionship. As their family caregiver, this can give you tremendous peace of mind knowing that whether you are with your parent or not, they will get everything they need to live their highest quality of life.
Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/basics/prevention/con-20025531
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/statistics/index.htm
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-small-cell-lung-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Services in Westwood MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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