A man who understands loneliness in older adults with cancer shares a quiet moment with a compassionate caregiver at home.

Why Loneliness in Older Adults With Cancer Can Exist Even With a Strong Support System

/in , , ,

Your parent may have more visitors stopping by, more phone calls coming in, and more people asking about their progress than ever before after a cancer diagnosis. Even so, they may also be feeling lonelier than they ever expected. Read more

An older adult smiles while spending quality time with loved ones, trying to find joy in life after a cancer diagnosis.

Finding Joy in Life After a Cancer Diagnosis

/in , ,

Life after a cancer diagnosis is different. In fact, it’s remarkable how quickly one word begins influencing everyday life. Conversations naturally turn toward treatments, the calendar fills with appointments, and even routine decisions seem to carry more weight than they once did. Before long, both you and your parent may feel as though life has been divided into two distinct chapters: before cancer and after cancer. Read more

Help ease the side effects of cancer treatment with these tips.

These Tips Will Help Ease the Side Effects of Cancer Treatment

/in , , , , , , , ,
Help ease the side effects of cancer treatment with these tips.

Help ease the side effects of cancer treatment with these tips.

Cancer, as well as the treatments for cancer, can cause a number of troubling side effects. If someone you love is navigating a cancer journey, you will want to do whatever you can to help ease the side effects of cancer treatment. While simply being there with them to offer comfort and companionship is extremely helpful, there are additional practical steps you can take as well. Read more

Supporting a loved one with cancer doesn’t have to be complicated.

Tips for Supporting a Loved One with Cancer

/in , , , , , , ,
Supporting a loved one with cancer doesn’t have to be complicated.

Supporting a loved one with cancer doesn’t have to be complicated.

A diagnosis of cancer is life-changing, and it’s crucial for someone receiving this diagnosis to have a strong network of support. When a family member is undergoing cancer treatment, you might not be sure how to help them while maintaining appropriate boundaries. What are the best ways for supporting a loved one with cancer? Our caregiving team has some helpful ideas to get you started. Read more

Grilled chicken fillet with fresh vegetable salad on white wooden background, selective focus

Tips for Following a Healthy Diet for Cancer Patients

/in ,
health diet for cancer patients - hospice home care salt lake city

Try these tips to put together a better diet for cancer patients.

Sticking to a healthy diet for cancer patients is particularly crucial when undergoing chemotherapy or another type of treatment, yet can be quite a challenge, in part due to the change in how foods taste. It’s necessary to conquer this and other challenges to healthy eating in an effort to sustain the strength needed for chemotherapy treatments and protect against infections. Eating a balanced diet may possibly even help cancer patients better handle higher dosages of certain types of medications.

When experiencing challenges with changes in taste that impede adhering to a recommended dietary plan for the duration of cancer treatment, the following cancer nutrition guidelines from Harmony Home Health & Hospice, providers of hospice home care Salt Lake City families trust, can help:

  • Experiment with various food temperatures. For some people undergoing cancer treatment, cold foods are more palatable, providing less aroma than hot foods, which may perhaps increase nausea.
  • Experiment with different seasonings. Marinades, spices, and herbs can make food more appealing. Some options to try include mint, rosemary, garlic, lemon, dill and basil.
  • Ensure good oral health. Taste buds may become irritated by chemo, and bacteria amounts may become out of balance. Cleaning the teeth with a soft toothbrush and mild toothpaste a few times during each day, as well as visiting the dentist for further recommendations, can help.
  • Consume smaller portions. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to digest. Make sure to incorporate plenty of fluids, both during and between meals, as well.
  • Try gum and mints. Sugar-free mints and gum, or other flavored hard candy, can help lessen the metallic or bitter tastes in the mouth that can arise from chemotherapy treatments. They can also promote production of saliva to relieve a dry mouth.
  • Partner with a dietitian. A professional dietitian who has a specialty in cancer nutrition can help with advising food options specific to the person’s particular challenges. He or she can also recommend suitable vitamin supplements, high-nutrition liquid shakes, etc.

For additional tips to overcome changes in taste or other side effects of chemotherapy, contact Harmony Home Health & Hospice. Our personalized home health and pediatric home care services can help those undergoing cancer treatment, or struggling with other medical challenges, in a variety of ways. Call us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE to find out more about our professional hospice home care Salt Lake City and the surrounding area depend on.

Young beautiful woman in an acupuncture therapy at spa center

The Surprising New Way of Managing Hot Flashes for Breast Cancer Survivors

/in ,
managing hot flashes for breast cancer survivors - hospice orem

Managing hot flashes is now easier for breast cancer survivors.

For quite a few survivors of breast cancer, managing hot flashes – sometimes as often as several times each and every day – makes daily life a challenge. And even though there are a variety of treatment solutions available, one surprising approach is starting to gain in popularity: acupuncture.

In a recent scientific study, 120 women were provided with a variety of treatments, reporting the number of occurrences and severity of their hot flashes over periods of time of 8, 16 and 24 weeks. Not only did acupuncture outperform medications in its ability to offer lasting relief, but even a “counterfeit” variation of the acupuncture rated virtually as high.

Right now, it’s unclear whether acupuncture is suggested (and effective) for menopausal hot flashes. The symptoms are usually more severe in breast cancer survivors, who also do not have the alternative of hormone replacement therapy that other menopausal women might be able to think about using. Anyone contemplating acupuncture for relief from hot flashes should first consult with her doctor.

At Harmony Home Health & Hospice, providers of the best home health and hospice in Orem, NM and the surrounding area, our care team is proficient and experienced in bringing relief in a full range of ways to breast cancer survivors, and anyone else who’s recovering from a medical procedure or experiencing difficulties from the effects of a chronic illness or aging. Just a few examples of how we can help include:

  • Personalized, skilled home health care services
  • Management of specialized conditions, such as diabetes, dementia, COPD, cancer, and more
  • In-home speech, occupational and physical therapy
  • Compassionate hospice care
  • And many others

Contact the in-home care experts at Harmony Home Health & Hospice for a complimentary assessment, right in the comfort of your home, to discover how we can best help with your particular circumstances. Call us any time at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE to learn more about senior care and hospice Orem and the surrounding areas depend on.