What Should You Do If You Disagree with Your Parent’s Cancer Treatment Decision?

One of the first things that come to mind when someone is diagnosed with cancer is what treatment they will pursue. A patient’s treatment choice is at the center of their management approach and often influences other elements of their lifestyle while they are fighting the illness. If your aging parent has recently been diagnosed with cancer, they may be considering various treatment options or have settled on the one that they feel is appropriate for them. As their family caregiver, it is extremely important that you are supportive of them not only as they make this decision, but as they follow through with it as well. What happens, however, if you disagree with the decision that they have made?

Caregiver in Wyckoff NJ: Cancer Treatment

Both as your parent’s family caregiver and their adult child, you will likely have strong opinions about the type of treatment that they should have during their journey with cancer. This can make it extremely difficult if you find that what they choose goes against these opinions. At this point, however, it is vital that you remember that this is your parent’s journey, and it is a very personal one. This means that the choice of treatment is theirs to make and that even if you disagree with it, it is not your place to push them or attempt to make them change their mind.

When your parent is facing the options of different treatments that are available to them, it is your responsibility to make sure that they understand each of these options and that they can evaluate them and select the one that is truly right for them. This might be one that is not what you would choose, or that even goes against what they would choose. Depending on their age, health, and condition, your parent might even choose not to seek any type of treatment at all. Even if you disagree with this choice, giving your parent support, love, and respect will boost their mental and emotional health and keep them motivated to either fight the disease in the way that they choose, or live out their life with dignity. You can accomplish this by being there for them emotionally, giving them the care that they need, and arranging for further support, such as from a senior care provider.

Starting senior care for your aging parent can be one of the best decisions that you make for them in the course of your caregiver journey with them. A senior care services provider can be in the home with your aging parent on a fully customized schedule to ensure that they have access to the level of care, support, and assistance they need to manage their individual needs, challenges, and limitations. This highly personalized care is specifically designed to manage these issues in the way that is right for your parent so that they are able to enjoy a higher quality of life as they age in place. This can include safe and reliable transportation, assistance with personal care tasks such as bathing or toileting, grocery shopping and running errands, meal preparation, and help to keep the home neat and healthy.

If you or a senior family member are considering hiring a Caregiver in Wyckoff, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Caring Solutions Home Care LLC.  In-home senior care servicing Bergen & Passaic Counties. Call today (973) 427-3553.