Cancer symptoms and treatment side effects can be harrowing, exhausting and emotionally taxing. Many people who undergo treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy report that they feel too ill and fatigued to drive, cook, clean or do things they enjoy. They may have undergone surgery as part of their treatment plan, leaving them requiring help with even basic tasks while recovering.
All of these things impact a person with cancer’s sense of self and independence. A sudden loss of independence can have a negative impact on confidence and emotional well-being, so it’s essential to understand how we can help patients remain in control.
Do All Cancer Patients Lose Their Independence?
While not all cancer patients will struggle with the loss of independence, it’s a common side effect for many undergoing treatment. Depending on the type of cancer a loved one has and its stage, they may need help with daily tasks.
Progressive, complex and ongoing cancers often change individuals’ needs over time, further contributing to dependency on loved ones and professional carers.
A loss of independence can be temporary for cancer patients, or it may last several years. For example, patients who’ve recently undergone cancer removal surgery may feel a loss of independence for a few weeks or months while they recover.
Alternatively, individuals with complex needs or terminal cancer may require more extensive support, such as in the form of palliative care or live-in cancer care . Your occupational therapist (OT) can recommend relevant changes or services to help you achieve improved independence.
The Importance of Independence
Maintaining independence is crucial for fostering a strong sense of self, enhancing mental health, and achieving a higher quality of life. This is true for everyone, including cancer patients and individuals with ongoing medical conditions.
Cancer often forces individuals with symptoms to rely on others, which can impact their identity and sense of control. This, along with the following benefits, makes prioritising independence an essential part of cancer care.
- Improves self-esteem and confidence: Being able to perform daily tasks independently boosts self-worth, helping individuals feel capable of managing their own lives.
- Reduces anxiety and stress: A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, with patients losing control over their health and daily routines, but remaining independent can restore a sense of agency to alleviate anxiety.
- Fosters a sense of normalcy: Continuing familiar routines at home ensures individuals feel more like themselves and less like their illness.
- Enhances quality of life: Independence enables patients to stay engaged with their friends and family, maintain their hobbies, and promote a sense of purpose, thereby preventing feelings of loneliness and isolation.
- Reduces burden: Cancer patients can feel like a burden on loved ones if they suddenly rely on them more than they used to, so encouraging independence lessens this concern.
Tips For Supporting the Independence of Cancer Patients
Maintaining independence can be easier said than done for people with cancer. However, there are some tips you can practice to encourage loved ones to remain independent:
1. Encourage Them to Be Patient With Themselves
If your loved one is struggling to come to terms with their new routine and is missing the ability to do all the things they used to enjoy, gently remind them to give themselves grace. Symptoms and treatments can exacerbate fatigue and it takes time to adjust to changes in energy levels or abilities.
Even simple things like shopping or cooking can be exhausting for people with cancer. Encourage them to choose one task that they’d like to succeed at, such as cooking one meal or going on a five-minute walk around the neighbourhood. This gives them control over an aspect of life where they don’t need to be dependent on anyone else.
As they continue adapting to their changing symptoms, they can begin taking on more responsibility. However, this process takes time and your loved one may require additional support as they adjust to their new situation.
2. Create and Strengthen a Support System
A support system shouldn’t be overlooked during cancer treatment, even when your loved one is trying to boost their independence and rely less on others. The option to lean on friends, family and carers gives your loved one sufficient emotional and physical support, just in case they need it.
Help your loved one surround themselves with people who will cheer them on, who will celebrate their accomplishments and honour their goal for independence. If your loved one doesn’t have a strong support system close by, encourage them to meet new like-minded people through local support groups.
3. Help Them Create a Schedule
Making a list of things your loved one wants to accomplish allows them to prioritise them and make sure they’re not biting off more than they can chew. They may be eager to start doing more for themselves, but doing too much can make them feel worse, drained and discouraged.
Help your loved one prioritise their needs and establish a simple routine that allows them to do what they want, when they feel best. Most individuals with cancer have the most energy in the morning, so planning social activities and important errands at the start of the day makes it more likely that they’ll enjoy them.
Between activities, encourage your loved one to schedule downtime and rest periods. These ensure their body has enough time to recover between tasks, helping them make the most of their days without overdoing it.
4. Recommend Oncology Rehabilitation
Oncology rehabilitation specialists help individuals with cancer achieve improved physical function after treatment concludes. Rehabilitation exercises are provided depending on the specific physical challenges your loved one may be facing after surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.
If your loved one’s oncologist hasn’t recommended this already, you can ask for a referral to a physical therapy program. This is especially helpful if your loved one is struggling with physical symptoms affecting their independence.
5. Recognise and Accept Their New Normal
Living with cancer involves a lot of changes to routine, physical abilities, appearance and more. Your loved one might experience long-term side effects such as pain and fatigue or they may require new adaptive equipment that they didn’t need before. It’s incredibly important that they cope and accept their changing future beyond treatment.
To help them with this, make sure to factor in the following when scheduling plans:
- Will they need extra time to load or unload a wheelchair?
- Will they need constant access to a place to rest during pain flare-ups?
- If they’re returning to work, will they need any special accommodations from their employer?
Every cancer patient’s situation is different, so work with them to determine new challenges they may face during or after cancer treatments. Sufficient planning makes independence a much more likely accomplishment.
For more information on caring for a loved one after their diagnosis, we have a helpful guide on how to care for cancer patients at home.
How Home Care From Country Cousins Can Help
At Country Cousins, we pride ourselves on providing bespoke care that prioritises independence as much as possible. Our fully trained, compassionate carers are matched to your loved one based on personality, needs, and preferences. One-on-one live-in care ensures we dedicate enough time to fostering independence rather than rushing to take over.
Our cancer care service includes a fully personalised care plan tailored to each client. We’ll work with your loved one to determine their needs and how we can support their independence through treatments, ensuring they maintain control over their lives.
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, 9 am to 5 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.
