Creating a Cancer Care Package for a Loved One
When a loved one confides in you that they’ve been diagnosed with cancer, it’s natural to want to shower them with support. But what can you really do or say to help them at such a worrying and uncertain time?
Creating a cancer care package is an amazing way to show you care without overpowering your loved one with advice, condolences or gifts. People with cancer often want to keep life as normal as possible during their treatment, so giving them a care package with lots of their favourite things is a lovely idea that’s often received well.
Today, we’ll explore what to put in your loved one’s cancer care package, along with other ways you can help them navigate these uncertain times.
What is a cancer care package and how do you make one?
A cancer care package is exactly what it sounds like – a collection of small gifts designed to make someone who’s undergoing cancer treatment smile. It can be as big or small as your budget allows, as it’s the thought that counts. A cancer care package shows your loved one that you’re thinking of them and have gone to the effort of putting together a gift to keep their spirits up.
To begin making your care package, grab something for the gifts to go in. Think basket, gift bag or even a cardboard box. Once you’ve got the base, now comes the fun task of filling it! Here are some of the most useful things to include in your care package:
Comfort items to keep them warm and cosy
Cancer treatment sometimes lowers your loved one’s red blood cell count, which often makes people feel colder than usual. They’ll also be spending a lot of time in unfamiliar places like doctors’ offices and hospital wards, so giving them something cosy and warm is often a great source of comfort.
Some items you could include are:
- Comfortable slippers or bed socks
- Soft, cosy blanket or quilt – make sure it’s lightweight
- A soft wrap or pashmina
- Button-up pyjamas or a nightie
- Wheat bag or hot water bottle
Top tip: If you include any clothing, we recommend making sure it has an opening on the front (like buttons or a zip) so they can easily access their medication ports without having to take the entire garment off.
Non-perfumed skincare to help with the side effects of treatment
Radiation and chemotherapy might cause dry, itchy skin, so adding skincare into your cancer care package can make your loved one more comfortable. However, added perfumes sometimes cause skin irritation and nausea, so go for non-perfumed options wherever possible.
Great skincare products for people undergoing cancer treatment include:
- Lip balm
- Foot balm
- Hand and nail cream
- Body wash and moisturisers
- Soothing mouthwash
- Nail polish or nail hardener
- Suncream (SPF 30 or higher)
Top tip: Lips can become very dry during cancer treatment, but doctors advise not to use lip balms that include petroleum jelly, as this traps bacteria next to the skin and causes infection. As cancer treatments also weaken the immune system, it may be harder for the body to fight off these infections. If you want to add lip balm to your care package, choose one without a petroleum jelly base.
Practical items to help them keep up with daily life
One of the biggest side effects of chemotherapy and radiation is exhaustion, making it difficult for your loved one to keep on top of their everyday tasks like cooking and cleaning. The longer their treatment, the harder it might be for them to get these responsibilities under control, leaving them feeling stressed, deflated and helpless.
If you think your loved one is struggling, consider including some of these practical items in their care package:
- A weekly cleaning service
- Pre-cooked meals
- Massage or pedicure vouchers
- A coffee card for the hospital where they’re receiving treatment
- Information sheets with contact details of local support groups
Top tip: Hair loss is a common side effect of cancer treatment, so if your friend has mentioned possibly getting a wig, you could get them a gift certificate for a salon that specialises in cancer patients. Look for a salon that will either style their hair or fit them for a wig to boost their confidence and put a smile on their face.
H3 Something to help them pass the time while in hospital
Chemotherapy is a long, slow process over the course of weeks or even months. During their treatment days, it’s not uncommon for your loved one to be sitting around for hours while they get their treatment. Including something to help them pass the time is a wonderful gift for your care package.
Here are some fun options to add:
- Books or magazines
- A notebook or journal to write down questions, feelings and side effects
- Small puzzle books
- Supplies for their favourite crafts, such as yarn, cross stitch kits or colouring pens
- Games to play with visitors
Top tip: Hospitals and treatment centres are often noisy places, so add a pair of earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones to your care package. This lets your loved one escape from the unfamiliar environment while enjoying their new game or craft supplies.
A scarf or hat to protect their sensitive scalp
Around 65% of people who undergo chemotherapy experience some form of hair loss, according to Sheffield Hallam University. Even more people will have to deal with a sensitive, sore or itchy scalp. Including headwear to protect their skin and hair can make your loved one feel more confident while getting out and about between treatment sessions.
Examples of headwear for cancer patients include:
- Beanies
- Soft hats
- Turbans made of silk or satin
- Bamboo sleep caps
Top tip: There are so many bright and colourful headwear options out there for people undergoing cancer treatment, so choose something that beautifully honours your friend or family member. If you’re unsure, get them a gift card for them to pick what they’ll feel most confident in!
Snacks to help with nausea and loss of appetite
Snacks are the obvious choice for a cancer care package, but be careful not to overdo it. Cancer treatments may reduce appetite and increase nausea, so it can be tricky to choose the right snacks to include.
Some safe options may be:
- Boiled lollies
- Fruit tingles
- Menthol, eucalyptus or ginger sweets
- Mints
- Herbal teas
- Fresh fruit
Top tip: Radiation and chemotherapy might affect your loved one’s taste buds, which often causes a dry or metallic taste in their mouth. Hard-boiled sweets and chewing gum are known for minimising those effects.
Personal touches from the heart
The best care packages include something from the heart to let your loved one know you’re thinking of them, especially when you can’t be with them in person. Add something that perfectly complements your relationship, makes them laugh or that they can keep to remind themselves of a positive experience.
Our favourite examples include:
- A personal card or note of appreciation and support
- A funny video from their friends or family
- A playlist of your shared favourite songs
- Framed photos of them with loved ones
- Seedlings to pot and watch grow
- Personal coupons for cleaning, car rides or a shoulder to cry on
Top tip: If you’re including things that your loved one might want to take to their appointments with them, such as photo frames or drawings from children in the family, make sure you keep them protected. Laminate letters and drawings, and use frames with plastic instead of glass to stop them from shattering while on the move.
Other ways you can show your support
Sometimes, the best way to show you care is to be there for your loved one throughout their diagnosis and treatment. Pay attention to how they’re feeling and come up with ways to make the bad days good, and the good days better.
For example, some cancer patients find that the smell of cooking makes them nauseous, so you can bring a home-cooked meal to them or set up a meal delivery service among friends.
You can also set up regular phone calls and lunch dates with friends and family members, pick their medications up from the pharmacy if they’re not feeling up to it or go with them to their appointments. A popular saying medical professionals like to say is: “You’re living with cancer, not dying from it”, so encourage your loved one to live their life and find enjoyment in every day.
How Country Cousins can help
At Country Cousins, we know just how much a cancer diagnosis can turn someone’s world upside down. Everyday life is suddenly full of unknowns, daily routines are thrown out to accommodate treatment and side effects may start to appear. If your loved one is struggling to keep up, our team of expert live-in carers provide cancer support in the form of:
- Medication prompting and daily monitoring
- Support post-chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormonal therapy
- Bathing, dressing and grooming
- Mobility and medical support
- Running errands, helping around the home and preparing meals
- Companionship and emotional support
Live-in care from Country Cousins gives your loved one the independence and dignity to continue living life to the fullest, supported by experienced and compassionate carers.
Talk to our team today
As the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, we have been providing compassionate live-in care to those who need it since 1959 – all from the comfort of their own homes.
Give us a call today on 01293 224 706. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.
