Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among both men and women throughout the United States. In fact, more people in this country die from lung cancer each year than from colon, breast, and prostate cancer combined. This number accounts for more than 154,000 deaths each year. As a family caregiver, these statistics can be staggering. While they may be intimidating, they also underscore the importance of understanding the risks for lung cancer, and taking the proper steps to reduce the risk. While there’s no way to guarantee prevention of lung cancer, just as there’s no way to guarantee the prevention of other forms of cancer, there are ways you can help your parent to lower their risk as they age.
Some of the ways you can help protect your parent from lung cancer include:
- If your parent smokes, they are at much higher risk. Encourage them to stop smoking, and remind them that every day they do not smoke, is a day their risk is lowered.
- Being exposed to secondhand smoke is also dangerous. Discourage your parent from going to places where there is smoke, and enforce a “no smoking” policy in and around your parent’s home and vehicle.
- Encourage your parent to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that includes all of the nutrients their body needs to thrive. The more diversified their diet, the more likely they are to get everything their body needs to stay strong and healthy.
- Encourage your senior to have their home checked for radon. This colorless, odorless gas may be present in their environments, and can increase their risk for lung cancer, particularly if they are also a smoker.
If you have been looking for ways to enhance your parent’s quality of life, help them to stay healthier, or support their ability to stay in their own home longer as they age, senior care may be the ideal solution. A senior home care services provider can fill care gaps, support the efforts you already give them as their family caregiver, and ensure your senior has the care and support that is right for them. Completely customized services are designed specifically to meet your senior’s needs, whether that is providing transportation to appointments or activities, assisting with grocery shopping and meal preparation, helping her parent to keep their home clean and comfortable, or even offering medication reminders to help your parent stay compliant. a senior care provider is a valuable source of support for your parent now, and can also help them to prepare for further challenges and limitations in the future. This gives both you and your parent the opportunity to focus on the fulfillment, your parent child relationship, and enjoying this new chapter of their life.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Leesburg, VA, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands today. (703) 982-0050.
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