Living with cancer
Receiving a diagnosis of cancer and living with the condition can be one of the most frightening and overwhelming experiences one can face in life. It can be even more distressing if you or your loved one are already living with an existing chronic health condition that needs daily management.
It’s a journey no one should have to make on their own, and here at Country Cousins, we’re here to help you every step of the way. With 60 years of experience in supporting cancer patients in their own homes through one-to-one care, we know we can give you the support you need during one of life’s biggest challenges.
Experienced and Trusted
Cancer care at home
There’s no place like home. That’s especially true when living with cancer. Being able to stay in the comfort and familiarity of one’s own home, whilst maintaining normal daily routines and contact with friends, family, and pets, allows independence and choice to be maintained during such a challenging time.
Living with cancer is hard enough, and management and recovery can be far harder in an unfamiliar facility with unfamiliar people. Being able to stay at home is the best way to maintain well-being and stability, especially with the support and companionship of a Country Cousin’s live-in carer.
Our decades of experience make us experts in the field. Combined with the highly trained and compassionate carers we work with, we are perfectly positioned to offer you all the support you need to live well with cancer. The carer we match you with will offer warmth, discretion and a service that enables you to retain your dignity at all times.
A Country Cousins live-in carer can provide support with:
- Administer medications and daily monitoring. Our carers are trained to understand the complications (such as urine and chest infections) that can affect people with cancer and how best to avoid them.
- Medical support, such as help with bowel, stoma and catheter care as well as assisting with symptom control.
- Bathing, dressing, shaving or help going to the toilet.
- Support post-chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormonal therapy. We will match you with a carer who is trained and experienced in supporting cancer patients, so you have peace of mind that you’re getting the best care possible.
- Mobility support. Help to move safely around the home to maintain physical activity and independence whilst minimising risks.
- Running errands and general domestic help, such as collecting prescriptions, food shopping, managing hospital visits and arranging appointments.
- Help around the home, whether it’s cooking meals, vacuuming, doing the laundry, or walking the dog, our live-in carers are there to help.
- Preparing and serving healthy, nutritious home-made meals to support optimum health.
- Companionship. Many of our carers become more like friends to the people they support, that’s why we like to call them Cousins. They’ll become like one of the family; someone who you can trust and rely upon.
- Emotional support. The carer will be with you every step of the way to share the laughs and tears that a cancer journey brings. Supporting emotional and psychological well-being at such an overwhelming time is critical.
Live-in cancer care options with Country Cousins give you the independence and dignity to carry on with life the way you like it whilst being supported every day by experienced and compassionate carers. What better reassurance for you or your loved one?
If you’d like to know more about how Country Cousins can support you or a family member on a cancer journey call us on 01293 224706 for a chat. Enquire for a no-obligation conversation which allows you the freedom to explore options whilst receiving advice from our highly experienced team. Contact us today or make an online enquiry.
How to cope with a cancer diagnosis
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is daunting but you don’t need to face it alone. Country Cousins is here to support you. There are also lots of resources available online, or through your local GP, that can help you gain knowledge and put you back in control.
If you, or someone you love, has recently been diagnosed with cancer here are a few tips that can help you cope;
Understand your options
Knowledge is power, especially when you need to understand your treatment options and their potential side effects. It is a good idea to have someone with you at your appointments who can take notes that you can review after. This way you are capturing all the information and giving yourself time to reflect.
Talk
Remember to talk to your loved ones or a professional, if that feels more comfortable, about how you are feeling. You can reach out to cancer charities who will be able to support you such as organisations like Macmillan and Marie Curie. It can also be beneficial to consider talking therapies or counselling, which you can explore with your local GP.
Self-care
Make sure you keep your body and mind healthy and that you put yourself first. It can be easy to feel like you are a burden to your family and to put their emotional needs first. Take time for your mental well-being, and take moments to reflect on your journey, the ones you have completed and the next stages in your life. Meditation may be helpful, as well as practising mindfulness.
Diet and exercise
Nutrition is always important but no more so than after a cancer diagnosis. Stressful periods in our lives can result in loss of appetite or overlooking nutritional requirements. Be mindful of what you eat, ensuring that you get enough wholesome, nutritious foods to give your body what it needs. Exercise and socialising are also helpful, where appropriate, not only for physical health but also emotional and psychological well-being. Focus on activities that fulfil you such as socialising with friends and loved ones or spending time outside in nature.
Next steps with Country Cousins
Wherever your cancer journey may take you, Country Cousins is only a phone call away, ready to support you. Our expert staff, to the caregivers we work with, are experienced in providing cancer care at home in a dignified and compassionate manner.
If you would like more information about how we can help, call us today for a free, no-obligation chat. We can match you or you r loved one with the perfect carer quickly so you can rest assured that help and support is with you 24 hours a day.
Get in touch today on 01293 224706 or make an online enquiry.
