How Does Home Care Help In Preventing Cancer In Seniors
Feb 27, 2019 by Comfort Keepers Denver
Cancer is a disease that typically affects older people. Nearly 90 percent of the cancer cases belong to people over the age of 50. Majority of them occur for people between the age of 50 and 74. Breast, prostate, and lung cancer are a few of the most common forms of cancer for seniors. This doesn’t imply that they are not susceptible to other forms of cancers though. Cancer in older people is highly prevalent because our DNA becomes more prone to mutation as we age.
Mutation is caused by factors such as smoking, drinking, and obesity, or by genetic issues and susceptibility.
Aging appears to be a high-risk factor for developing cancer. So, it goes without saying that aging seniors must take the utmost care in a bid to prevent cancer. But it is not always possible for them to take care of themselves because of their old age. In such a scenario, home care is the best option to keep your loved ones safe. Here are some of the aspects in which home care can help.
- The first way to help a senior is by talking about the risks of cancer with them. Awareness is the key to beat cancer.
- Help them to quit smoking if they are into it. Quitting quite later can still make a huge impact on their health.
- Drinking too much alcohol is another risk area that can cause cancer. Bring up the topic during discussions and encourage them to drink less.
- As people grow old, it’s important for them to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Because of their age, it might be difficult to prepare nutritious food on their own. You can help them with it.
- Exercising daily is a great way to stay healthy and keep cancer at bay. Ensure that your loved ones get some form of exercise daily.
- Colon cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer affecting seniors. To reduce the risk of colon cancer, it is important to get a colonoscopy done every 10 years for people aged 50 and above. You can help your loved ones arrange for a colonoscopy at the earliest.
- Skin cancer is by far the most common cancer. Hence, if seniors experience any change in their skin, even something like moles, encourage them to get tested. Prevention goes a long way in assuring that our loved ones are safe from this deadly disease.
