When Surgery Isn’t the Only Answer: Navigating Multiple Diagnoses in Your 80s
At a Glance: Key Takeaways Introduction: The “Overwhelming” Scan In my 12 years of practicing geriatric oncology, I’ve sat across from many families who feel like the world has shifted under their feet. This often happens after a PET-CT scan—a test that is very good at finding “spots.” Sometimes, it finds several at once: a […]
Navigating Pancreatic Cancer Treatment in Your late 80s: What Really Matters
At a Glance: Key Takeaways Introduction: A Different Perspective on a Tough Diagnosis In my 12 years of practicing geriatric oncology, I have seen a shift in how we approach a diagnosis like pancreatic cancer in our older patients. There was a time when a patient in their late 80s might have been told they […]
Cancer Pain Management for Older Adults: A Caregiver’s Guide
If you are caring for an older adult with cancer, you have likely confronted the unspoken fear that often looms larger than the diagnosis itself: the fear of pain. There is a common misconception that serious suffering is just “part of the deal” with cancer. But as discussed in the video Cancer Pain Management for […]
Restoring Independence: How to Be an “Energy Strategist” for Your Older Loved One with Cancer
If you are caring for an older adult with cancer, you have likely witnessed a specific kind of exhaustion. It isn’t just “tiredness” from a long day. It is Cancer-Related Fatigue (CRF)—a bone-deep, biological exhaustion caused by the cancer itself and treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. It is the kind of fatigue that a good […]
Taming Chemo Nausea: A Caregiver’s Guide to Comfort and Relief for Older Adults
When a loved one is undergoing chemotherapy, the side effects can feel like a storm that you, as a caregiver, are desperately trying to navigate. Among these, Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV) is often the most immediate and visceral challenge. While modern anti-nausea medications (antiemetics) are the foundation of treatment, they aren’t always a perfect […]
Advocating for Your Elderly Loved One with Cancer in the ER: The “Go Bag” You Need to Pack Today
Facing a cancer diagnosis, especially as an older adult, comes with many challenges. For caregivers, one of the most stressful experiences can be an unexpected, middle-of-the-night dash to the Emergency Room. In those first few moments, adrenaline floods your system. The chaos, the fear, and the frantic scramble to find shoes, keys, and vital information […]
Supporting Seniors with Cancer: A Caregiver’s Journey Before, During, and After Surgery
A cancer diagnosis is overwhelming. When surgery is part of the treatment plan for an older loved one, it can bring a new wave of anxiety, not just for the patient, but for you, the caregiver. In my 12 years of experience performing preoperative evaluations for older patients with cancer, I’ve seen one thing prove true time and time again: a prepared […]
Navigating the Radiation Rally: A Caregiver’s Guide to Skin Care and Fatigue in Older Adults
Radiation therapy can be a journey, and for older adults, it’s often less like a single appointment and more like a long-distance endurance race. As a caregiver, you are the “rally navigator” and “crew chief,” playing an invaluable role in managing the human experience of the treatment. This journey presents two major hurdles for older […]
Navigating Medications: Reducing Burden and Preventing Hospital Stay for Older Adults with Cancer
For many older adults living with cancer, managing medications can sometimes feel like a full-time job. Over my 12 years of working closely with older adults with cancer and their caregivers, I’ve seen how challenging it can be to balance cancer treatments alongside other prescriptions for heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis. This experience has shown […]
How Can I Best Support an Older Loved One Through Chemo?
When someone you love is undergoing cancer treatment, it’s easy to feel helpless. But there is a vital, hands-on role that makes an immeasurable difference: the chemo companion. As highlighted in a guide by a geriatric oncologist, this role is often overlooked but is absolutely essential—transforming a draining ordeal into a manageable, and perhaps even […]