how assisted living supports cancer treatment and recovery

Caring for a loved one who’s received a cancer diagnosis requires making tough decisions to ensure they get the best chance at recovery. Assisted living can help your senior through their cancer treatment during every stage of the process.

Treatment and Care After a Cancer Diagnosis

Your loved one will likely have a primary care physician, oncologist, radiologist, pathologist and palliative care team working together to provide effective cancer treatment. It’s important to ask questions to learn about your mom or dad’s type and stage of cancer and treatment options.

You’ll also need to gather information while searching for the right assisted living facility. Here are some questions to consider:

• How long will treatment last?
• How close is the assisted living facility to you or your loved one’s home?
• Does the assisted living facility have a nurse available 24/7?
• How often do physicians make rounds through the facility? Are they accessible after hours?
• Does the facility provide hospice services or allow third-party entities?
• How does the facility respond if your loved one’s needs change during treatment?
• What are the protocols for emergencies?
• Do they provide or charge for transportation services?
• Can the facility accommodate your loved one’s dietary needs?

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When to Consider Assisted Living

If your loved one’s cancer requires a long-term treatment process, you may need to consider assisted living. Cancer treatment can be more difficult for older individuals due to compromised health, decreased immunity, delayed healing and cognitive stress.

Your parent may benefit from assisted living services during their cancer treatment if they have:

• Decreased mobility
• Failing eyesight
• Problems with strength and balance
• Dementia, Alzheimer’s or cognitive decline
• Trouble with daily tasks like eating, bathing and dressing

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Advantages of Using Assisted Living

Assisted living is well-suited for individuals who require more care than they receive at home but still wish to retain their independence.

You and your loved one can benefit from assisted living during their cancer treatment, especially if you have a busy schedule. Managing your own responsibilities and another person’s needs can be overwhelming. An assisted living facility will provide your senior with round-the-clock care from a licensed nursing staff.

Assisted living communities promote healthy lifestyle choices and routines to improve your loved one’s overall quality of life. Those services may improve your senior’s response to their treatment and reduce recovery time.

Here are other benefits of residing in assisted living during cancer treatment:

• Assisted living staff take precautions and provide additional support services to ensure your parent’s safety.
• The nursing staff is trained to address potential complications of cancer treatment.
• Your mom or dad will have access to medical staff, therapists and specialists to help them manage their symptoms and reactions.
• Residing in an assisted living facility allows your parent to socialize with other residents, which reduces their risk for isolation, depression and anxiety.

Embassy Healthcare offers comprehensive clinical and care services, so your loved one can focus on their recovery. Call 216-378-2050 or contact us online to learn more about our assisted living facilities.