One out of eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Each year, 287,850 cases of invasive breast cancer and 51,400 non-invasive breast cancer cases are diagnosed. Once diagnosed, surgery, chemo, and radiation are three of the more common treatments, but there are also medications.

If your mom is taking medications, they can have severe side effects like exhaustion, nausea, and vomiting. With the effects of radiation and chemo, your mom’s strength and stamina may be minimal. A task as simple as walking to another room or taking a shower may seem impossible. Personal care at home becomes a lifeline.

Bathing Needs

Your mom wants to take a bath or shower, but she’s too weak to get in and out of the tub or shower stall. She can do exactly what she wants, but she’ll have a caregiver available to help her get in and out of the tub or shower.

Personal care at home is there for support as she steps in and out of the shower area. She has a caregiver to help her dry off and get into pajamas or clothes. Her caregiver can help her wash her hair, brush it out, and apply skin cream.

Oral Care

Your mom may not have the energy to brush and floss her teeth, but it’s okay. Her caregiver can help her with oral care. If your mom does have nausea or even throws up because of nausea, personal care at home is there for support and to help her rinse out her mouth afterward.

Toileting

It’s a lot of work for your mom to stand up from a chair. Walking to the bathroom exhausts her, and she’s had an accident more than once. She’s mortified, even though you tell her it’s not a big deal.

If she’s embarrassed about having to interrupt your day to help her with toileting, give her peace of mind. Hire a personal care aide to help her with toileting. If she has an accident, her caregiver is there to help her clean up and get into clean clothing.

Dressing

Your mom may find it hard to get dressed. If she had surgery, she may not be able to lift her arms over her head to put on a shirt. Her caregiver can help her get dressed and change into pajamas at the end of the day.

Your mom deserves support. She’s dealing with a tough disease, and you can help her by making sure that she has someone to help her with the aspects of personal care at home that she struggles with. As her needs lessen, her care services are easily dropped or lessened, so she’s not stuck in a long-term contract. Call a personal care at home agency and hire caregivers now.

Sources:
https://www.breastcancer.org/facts-statistics

If you or an aging loved one is considering personal care at home in Lafayette, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

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