Cancer Patients: When Should They be Placed in Assisted Living?
—Guest post by Faith Franz—
The decision to place a cancer patient into an assisted living facility is certainly a difficult one. Assisted living can provide much-needed monitoring and care, but no family wants to feel like they are abandoning their loved one. When the time is right, however, turning to an assisted living facility can be one of the best decisions a family can make.
The patient’s safety and health care needs should be at the forefront of the decision. If the patient’s condition cannot be properly managed at home, an assisted living facility may be the right choice.
Consider the following questions:
- Are all of the patient’s physical and medical needs met at their current residence?
- Will the needs still be met if the patient’s condition gets worse?
- Does the family understand how to monitor the patient’s medical equipment and medications?
- Are the patient’s symptoms under control?
- If the patient requires round-the-clock care, will someone always be available to caregive?
- Is the patient safe in case of a health emergency?
If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” it may be time to consider an assisted living facility.
With many cancers, the patient’s medical needs change as the cancer progresses. Patients who safely stay at home during the early stages of cancer may need extra care once their cancer has progressed. This is especially true in cases of highly symptomatic cancers such as mesothelioma. Families should re-evaluate the patient’s condition on a regular basis to determine whether or not the patient would receive more comprehensive care in an assisted living facility.
Helping the Patient Make the Decision
Ultimately, the decision to enter assisted living belongs to the cancer patient. They may have reservations about entering the facility, or they may be blatantly opposed to the option. While families shouldn’t force loved ones to enter an assisted living facility against their will, a respectful discussion can help them see the benefits.
Sometimes, a third party can help the patient realize when it is time to enter an assisted living facility. Patients may decide that it is the right time to enter assisted living after a discussion with their oncologist or the staff at the local assisted living home. They may also be more enthusiastic about the decision if they are involved with the process of picking their facility.
Author bio: Faith Franz researches and writes about health-related issues for The Mesothelioma Center. One of her focuses is living with cancer.