Hello, my name is Cindy. I live in the suburbs of Sydney with my family. Although I would occasionally visit the doctor when I was feeling too good or if one of the children had a cold. However, my whole view on doctors changed when I found a lump on breast last year. I went to my GP in a panic, but he was a real sweetie. He calmed me down and explained he would refer me for a further investigation. Thankfully, they caught my cancer early and after some treatment, I made a full recovery. Since this close call, I have taken a keen interest in everything health related.
Hospital can be a cold and uninviting place, in spite of the best efforts of the nursing staff. Patients who have had a long stay in hospital, such as those having extensive chemotherapy, may be eager to return home but may not have friends and family who can give them full support. Here are some ways that having temporary in-home care can help.
Monitoring side effects
Chemotherapy comes with some unpleasant side effects including fatigue, nausea, numbness, and instability. The doctors will usually prescribe some medication to help deal with these side effects, but having in home care is a useful way to monitor the effectiveness of the additional medications. Home caregivers can quickly contact doctors to get additional medication prescribed or identify if new side effects have been observed. In many cases, they can also help with over-the-counter options to assist with some side effects such as diarrhea or constipation.
Help with home tasks
While people feel unwell, they may not be able to do some of the important home tasks that they need, including shopping, preparing food and cleaning. At home care can help people get the food and support that they need to get strong enough to get better and allow them to get the necessary rest. Cleaning is also very important, as people undergoing chemotherapy can be more vulnerable to catching viruses and infections due to the extra pressure on their immune system.
Assisting with oral chemotherapy rounds
After a round of IV chemotherapy, the doctor may recommend follow-up oral chemotherapy to take at home. Having in-home care can make sure that the correct doses and necessary precautions (such as storage and using gloves) are taken. This means that patients can head home to have their chemotherapy and don't need to spend their days in an uncomfortable hospital. In home care can also perform health checks such as temperature, blood pressure, and other tests so that patients don't need to make the arduous journey to the hospital or clinic to wait for testing.
Getting in home care following in-hospital chemotherapy can be a great option to let patients return home more quickly. It can allow people to rest and recuperate in their own home, surrounded by friends and family. If you are looking to come home earlier after a round of chemotherapy, it can be useful to have home care lined up to support you.
For more information about home care options, contact local home care services.
Share25 April 2016
