There are many potential risks associated with cancer treatments. Like any other medical intervention, the side effects will affect your aging parent in an individual way, and there is no guarantee of what your senior will face, how severe the effects will be, or how that will impact the rest of their cancer journey. As a family caregiver, it is extremely important to understand the different risks your senior might face, as well as what you can do to protect your parent from those risks, so your senior has the best chances of getting through their cancer treatment according to their personal goals. One particularly pressing risk during lung cancer treatment is blood clots. Seniors undergoing cancer treatment are likely to sit or lie down for a considerable amount of time, which puts them at risk for blood clots. The types of medications they take can also increase this risk. Fortunately, there are ways you can help to prevent these clots.
Elder Care in Sunrise FL: Preventing Blood Clots During Cancer Treatment
Some ways you can help your parent prevent blood clots during cancer treatment include:
- Ask their doctor about your senior wearing compression stockings during treatments and when they are bedridden. These provide ongoing, consistent pressure that helps the blood flow through the veins effectively rather than creating clots.
- If your senior is overweight, talk to their doctor about them needing to lose weight. The doctor can give recommendations for how much weight your parent should lose, and how to do it safely so your parent can take pressure off of their circulatory system.
- Encourage your senior to stay as active as they can during their treatments. They may experience serious fatigue, but staying moving as much as possible keeps their blood moving and reduces the risk for clotting.
- Make sure your parent drinks enough water. This helps to thin the blood and keep it flowing more easily. Make sure you talk to your parent’s doctor about any fluid restrictions they have to balance their hydration needs with managing other health issues such as congestive heart failure.
Being a family caregiver for an elderly adult can be overwhelming. This is particularly true when that senior is living with a serious health issues such as cancer. But you don’t have to feel alone. Elder care can be a tremendous help to you and to your parent during this cancer journey. An elderly home care services provider can step in to fill care gaps, manage potentially sensitive tasks that can arise during this time, and provide support that helps your parent maintain a better quality of life, while also giving you more time and flexibility in your schedule.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering in-home elder care in Sunrise, FL, please contact the caring staff at IDS In-Home Care today. Providing In-Home Care Services in Broward County: 954-476-5353 and Palm Beach County: 561-988-8483
Sources
Jeff Stern
Owner at IDS In-Home Care
Jeff Stern is the Owner at IDS In-Home Care.
IDS In-Home Care stands for Independence, Dignity & Security, so naturally our mission is to help our clients achieve a life of Independence and Dignity in the Security of their own homes.Posted in Cancer, Elder Care in Sunrise FL, Health Issues and tagged Elder Care in Sunrise FL
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