Flexible Expectations: Tips for Contra Costa County Caregivers Dealing with Cancer
Cancer and Expectations for Contra Costa County Caregivers: Flexibility is Key
Caregiving for Contra Costa County seniors during the holidays, especially if they have been diagnosed with cancer can be wearing, leaving you tired and needing more sleep. Do not be discouraged, you are not alone in your struggles and there is help out there. The following are tips to help you as a caregiver during the holidays.
First and foremost, keep your expectations to a minimal, and held very loosely. In this stage of caregiving for your senior, your main focus should be on your loved one suffering with cancer, and not holiday events. If you traditionally hold Christmas Eve as well as New Year’s at your house, you may need to decide on just one rather than both. If you still want to host both, consider inviting less people instead. If you are up against doctors appointments during the holidays and your loved one wants to be present for all of the regular holiday festivities, meet with your team of doctors and see how you can work appointments around your schedule, not the other way around.
Make this new season an opportunity for making new memories and traditions. If traditionally you are always in charge of all the food, consider order ready made food to be delivered to your house, or consider going out to a restaurant instead. This makes for new fun memories, and takes a big task off of your plate. One other possible new fun tradition would be to make the holidays potluck style, and ask everyone to bring a dish. While you are in the midst of making these plans, make it a priority to sit down and talk with your Contra Costa County senior loved one about what is important to them, and discuss any expectations or desires. that they may have. Try not to focus on what you or others want, but rather, put into priority the desires of your loved one diagnosed with cancer and fully be in the moments, not dwell in the past and compare to what things used to be.
BrightStar Care of Contra Costa County provides ‘Transitional Care’ following cancer treatment. This is care provided following hospitalization or cancer treatment. We use an RN-led, team-oriented approach to optimize health and well being and reduce the likelihood of hospital readmission.
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BrightStar Home Care® East Bay San Francisco, CA proudly provides medical staffing, skilled nursing and non-medical in home care for seniors and children, including elder care companionship, sitter and nanny services in Contra Costa and Alameda County, including Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Walnut Creek, Rossmoor, Lafayette, Orinda, Piedmont, Montclair, Albany, Moraga, Alamo, and Danville. The most trusted home care agency in the East Bay.