Chemotherapy is a common treatment for cancer patients. The treatment itself is very effective in treating different types of cancer, but it is not without its side effects. In many cases, the side effects come as a surprise to patients and their loved ones.
As we always say on this site, ‘knowledge is power’. The more you prepare for dealing with a family member going through chemotherapy, the better things will be for both the patient and everyone around that person. That is why we are going to take a look at some steps you can take to prepare better for a family member in chemo.
The Ground Floor
Setting up the patient’s bed on the ground floor and moving everything that person needs to the same floor is a good idea. This makes life easier for the patient and yourself, since everything is gathered in one area of the house. With the patient’s room on the ground floor, the person will also find tackling day-to-day tasks easier.
You can go a step further and stock up on certain items like toilet paper, personal items, canned or frozen food, and other things that the patient may need. The purpose of stocking up these items is so that the patient can complete the same everyday tasks even when there is no one around.
Get Help
Having a loved one in chemo requires you to do things differently. While the side effects of chemo aren’t always apparent immediately, the patient may suffer excessive fatigue and other similar symptoms once the treatment starts.
There are two things you can do to prepare better for home care. The first one is learning the specific needs of your loved one in care and adapting to it. Another thing you can do is to enlist the help of professionals.
Due to the higher demand, there are more nurses and professionals offering their services to cancer patients going through chemotherapy. It is just a matter of finding the right service provider to suit your needs and budget.
Chemo-Proof Your House
Next, it is time to chemo-proof your house and make it safer – and more comfortable – for the loved one in chemo. There are a few things to add to the house; these are small things that really make a difference.
The Grab Bars & Rails section of Avacare Medical should be your first stop. Grab bars are really handy for when the patient is too weak or suffering from the side effects of chemo. The same can be said for shower grab bars.
Many families dealing with a loved one in chemo also install a toilet safety frame to make the house – the toilet in particular – safer. For the rest of the house, you can add rails, cover edges of cabinets, tables, and other sharp corners, and take other steps to chemo-proof the house.
To top it all off, install safety strips to floors that tend to be slippery. These strips are easy to install, and they are now available in different colors and textures. Complete these chemo-proofing steps, and you are all set.
