Being an older adult already has several challenges. You may not be able to dress alone, bathe alone, or even cook as much as you used to. Adding in a new cancer diagnosis can really leave a person feeling down, dejected, and like there is no point to this challenging life. But there are things you can do to change your thought patterns and also protect your mental health during this hard time. Here are some things you can do as a senior to protect your mental health when you’ve just received a cancer diagnosis.

Hire More Help

If you have already been struggling, you may realize you need more help than you did before. Things can become more challenging when you start going through chemotherapy. Senior home care is one of the best professionals you can have to help you even if you’re not going through chemotherapy. Senior home care can help you develop healthy habits, stick to a routine focusing on mental health, and help you when you are tired from chemo. Senior home care will allow you to age in place and focus on your cancer instead of you focusing on your home. They are caregivers who can help you bathe, eat, clean the house, and do small errands in between. They are the ultimate tool to surviving this time without giving up your independence and health. Having someone in your house whom you trust can help you think clearly and more positively and allows you to focus on mental health.

Talk To Friends and Family

You will need support. There may be a period where you need to cope with the news first, and you need to take your time. It can be hard to know what to say to someone you love, and you are allowed to feel hurt and defeated. But you also need a support system during this time. Having people you can rely on during the hard days will be crucial to remaining positive and allowing yourself the time to focus on mental health. Feeling isolated during this time can be a huge problem for seniors, and feeling alone can be detrimental to mental health.

Find a Therapist

Coping with feelings about cancer is not easy. No one expects you to know how to cope, and no one expects you to get over it in a day. Often, you will need professional help to figure out healthier ways to deal with negative feelings, and you may need more guidance, even as a senior. You may think you have felt and dealt with it all, but life always throws curveballs. You need to learn from someone else how to handle emotions and how to talk about your cancer treatment with others. Remember that if you have a family caregiver, like an adult child caring for you, going to therapy together can make a huge difference for both of you. They may be struggling with a cancer diagnosis too, and they may be scared for you.

Attend Group Therapy

Sometimes one-on-one therapy is not what people like to do. You may think they have no idea what’s going on with you, and you want to connect with others who are going through the same thing. Finding others in chemotherapy or those who have recovered can be a great way to focus on mental health. You will find people who inspire you to lean on them and motivate you to keep going when it gets hard. On top of that, seeing survivors? It can give you hope, which is so important for mental health.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Plano, TX, contact the caring staff at HomeWell Care Services Plano TX  today. Call (469) 596-6500

HomeWell Care Services Plano TX is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Richardson, Garland, Little Elm, Prosper, and the surrounding areas.