COVID-19 Information - Click Here
Skip to Content
Homewatch CareGivers
LocationsIcon of Map Pin
  • Caregiver Jobs
  • Franchise Opportunities
  • Care Community Blog
  • Contact Us
close
  • Back
  • Home
  • About Home Care
    • Back
    • What is Home Care
    • Types of Care
    • Financing Options
    • Cost
    About Home Care Homewatch CareGivers® believes good care should not interfere with your quality of life. We deliver the compassionate care our clients need to help complete day-to-day activities while still maintaining a healthy dose of independence.
  • Types of Care
    • Back
    • Elder Care
    • 24-Hour Care
    • Child Care
    • Respite Care
    • Senior Transportation Services
    • Companion Care
    • Hospital Discharge
    • Chronic Conditions Care
    • Dementia Care
    • Nursing Services
    • After Surgery Care
    • Personal Care
    Types of Care Our clients have many different reasons for requiring care, so we strive to provide services tailored to their individual needs and circumstances. Homewatch CareGivers delivers various types of in-home care that focus on the whole person—not just their condition.
  • Resources
    • Back
    • ALS
    • Arthritis
    • Dementia
    • Developmental Disabilities
    • Diabetes
    • Heart Disease
    • Parkinson's Disease
    • Senior Safety
    • Stroke
    • For Health Care Providers
    • Ask The Experts
  • Our Story
    • Back
    • Team Bios
    • Facts & History
    • National Quality Forum
    • In the Media
    • Home Care Association of America
    Our Story Homewatch CareGivers was founded on the concept of person-directed care: focusing on the specific needs of the individual and treating each client as a whole person, not just a condition. We strive to provide in-home care services that allow people to continue living safely and happily in their own homes.
  • Why Choose Us?
    • Back
    • Our Caregivers
    • Questions to Ask
    • Homewatch CareGivers University
    • Client Testimonials
    • In-Home Senior Safety
    Why Choose Us? Let our family care for yours. At Homewatch CareGivers, we value not only highly qualified caregiving services but also human interactions and relationships. Our people make the difference.
LocationsIcon of Map Pin

Colon Cancer and Caregiving: It's Different for Everyone

Colon Cancer and Caregiving: It's Different for Everyone Feb 23, 2016
Blog Categories
  • COVID-19
  • A Business with a cause
  • Addressing Isolation & Loneliness
  • Age at home
  • Age in place
  • Aging at Home
  • Aging Parent
  • aging parents
  • animal therapy
  • Anxiety Support
  • Best Home Care
  • Care for Aging Parents
  • Care for My Aging Parent
  • Caregiver
  • Caregiver Assistance
  • Caregiver Stress
  • caregiving assistance
  • caring star
  • caring star award
  • caring.com
  • caring.com award
  • Coping and Caregiving
  • Coronavirus
  • Cost of Care
  • Dementia
  • dementia care
  • Elderly Parent Care
  • Essential Caregiver Skills
  • Events
  • Falls Prevention
  • Family Caregiver
  • Financial Resources
  • Franchise
  • Franchising
  • handling caregiver stress
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Holiday Celebration
  • Home Care
  • Homewatch CareGivers
  • how to manage caregiver stress
  • In-Home Safety
  • Job Fair
  • Local
  • Long Term Care
  • Long Term Care Options
  • National Public Health Week
  • New Office in New Haven
  • older parents
  • parents aging
  • Parkinson’s Symptoms
  • Passion of Caregiving
  • Pet Therapy
  • Planning Ahead
  • Provider Choice Award
  • Senior Care & Aging
  • Senior Exercise
  • service dog
  • Social Distancing
  • stress
  • therapy dog
  • top rated home care agency
  • wandering

During Colon Cancer Awareness Month, it is valuable to learn more about this disease and how it can impact you, and also learn how this disease can lead to unique caregiving needs.

According to the Colon Cancer Alliance, “colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the United States.” Ninety percent of new cases of colon cancer cases occur in people who are age 50 or older. The sooner colon cancer is detected, the more effective the treatment and higher the survival rate.

All of these statistics matter when it comes to supporting a family member or friend after a diagnosis of colon cancer because it may mean their family is at higher risk (people with a first degree relative who has colon cancer are between two to three times the risk of developing this cancer than those without any family history, the Colon Cancer Alliance states) or what type of treatment they receive and therefore what additional care will be necessary.

“There is still an embarrassment to this disease which prohibits people from talking about it,” explained Jeannie Moore, a co-founder of the Colon Cancer Alliance and their Certified Patient Support Navigator and Community Manager. Ms. Moore has been a caregiver for her mother since her mother’s colon cancer diagnosis 18 years ago.

The Colon Cancer Stigma

The fact that colon cancer can strikingly impact a person’s ability to eat and eliminate in turn leads to isolation and even depression, Ms. Moore pointed out.

“All of a sudden a patient can’t eat, they have gastrointestinal issues, and it adds to the stress,” she said. “They fear going out, having accidents, and then this spirals into loneliness and depression. The quality of life issues can worsen.”

Ms. Moore said that what she has heard about time and time again is that a person going through treatment or living with the after-effects of treatment for colon cancer, will not seek out adequate support simply because of their embarrassment of the diagnosis and functional issues that develop.

“It really depends on the age of the patient,” she said. “Older patients, those in their 50s, 60s or 70s, are too ashamed to explain their situation and suffer in silence.”

However, talking about it can help with prevention and awareness of what is involved in providing care. “My mother’s gift of knowledge of this will keep me from ever getting this disease,” Ms. Moore said.

What Caregivers Need to Know

“My number one advice to caregivers who have a loved one diagnosed with colon cancer is that this is a marathon, not a sprint,” Ms. Moore said.

The reason for this advice is that has seen many caregivers do too much too soon and burnout. “The loved one jumps in and thinks they need to do everything for the other person, while they still continue to go to work, take care of the kids, do the grocery shopping, make it to all of the doctor appointments, and they set themselves up for complete burnout,” she explained. “They are thinking this is for now, but the reality is this is for one year or forever.”

Ms. Moore said that her mother still has issues post-treatment and can end up in the hospital with life-threatening complications. “It doesn’t take long to get in a dangerous spiral,” she commented.

Instead of trying to become a caregiving superhero, Ms. Moore recommends that caregivers create a network of support from other family members and/or professional in home care services and keep it all coordinated through one of many available online resources like Caring Bridge or Lotsa Helping Hands.

“Accept all the help you can with practical things,” she said. “This will extend your energy level as a caregiver much longer. Reach out for help early.”

During Colon Cancer Awareness Month, it is valuable to learn more about this disease and how it can impact you, and also learn how this disease can lead to unique caregiving needs.

According to the Colon Cancer Alliance, “colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the United States.” Ninety percent of new cases of colon cancer cases occur in people who are age 50 or older. The sooner colon cancer is detected, the more effective the treatment and higher the survival rate.

All of these statistics matter when it comes to supporting a family member or friend after a diagnosis of colon cancer because it may mean their family is at higher risk (people with a first degree relative who has colon cancer are between two to three times the risk of developing this cancer than those without any family history, the Colon Cancer Alliance states) or what type of treatment they receive and therefore what additional care will be necessary.

“There is still an embarrassment to this disease which prohibits people from talking about it,” explained Jeannie Moore, a co-founder of the Colon Cancer Alliance and their Certified Patient Support Navigator and Community Manager. Ms. Moore has been a caregiver for her mother since her mother’s colon cancer diagnosis 18 years ago.

The Colon Cancer Stigma

The fact that colon cancer can strikingly impact a person’s ability to eat and eliminate in turn leads to isolation and even depression, Ms. Moore pointed out.

“All of a sudden a patient can’t eat, they have gastrointestinal issues, and it adds to the stress,” she said. “They fear going out, having accidents, and then this spirals into loneliness and depression. The quality of life issues can worsen.”

Ms. Moore said that what she has heard about time and time again is that a person going through treatment or living with the after-effects of treatment for colon cancer, will not seek out adequate support simply because of their embarrassment of the diagnosis and functional issues that develop.

“It really depends on the age of the patient,” she said. “Older patients, those in their 50s, 60s or 70s, are too ashamed to explain their situation and suffer in silence.”

However, talking about it can help with prevention and awareness of what is involved in providing care. “My mother’s gift of knowledge of this will keep me from ever getting this disease,” Ms. Moore said.

What Caregivers Need to Know

“My number one advice to caregivers who have a loved one diagnosed with colon cancer is that this is a marathon, not a sprint,” Ms. Moore said.

The reason for this advice is that has seen many caregivers do too much too soon and burnout. “The loved one jumps in and thinks they need to do everything for the other person, while they still continue to go to work, take care of the kids, do the grocery shopping, make it to all of the doctor appointments, and they set themselves up for complete burnout,” she explained. “They are thinking this is for now, but the reality is this is for one year or forever.”

Ms. Moore said that her mother still has issues post-treatment and can end up in the hospital with life-threatening complications. “It doesn’t take long to get in a dangerous spiral,” she commented.

Instead of trying to become a caregiving superhero, Ms. Moore recommends that caregivers create a network of support from other family members and/or professional in home care services and keep it all coordinated through one of many available online resources like Caring Bridge or Lotsa Helping Hands.

“Accept all the help you can with practical things,” she said. “This will extend your energy level as a caregiver much longer. Reach out for help early.”

Posted By Homewatch CareGivers
  • Share
Blog Home - Previous Post | Next Post
More Posts Like This
  • How The Eden Alternative is Evolving
    Jan 4, 2021

    How The Eden Alternative is Evolving

    Homewatch CareGivers and The Eden Alternative of working together to help educate caregivers. Learn more about their new learning platforms.

    Read More
  • Making Vibrancy Part of Your Life
    Jan 4, 2021

    Making Vibrancy Part of Your Life

    It’s that time to make resolutions, plan for the future, and aim for a better and brighter life through small daily choices and habits. Add vibrancy to your list of resolutions.

    Read More
  • Connecting to Fight Loneliness
    Jan 4, 2021

    Connecting to Fight Loneliness

    Do you know an elder who might be lonely? Learn more about loneliness and how to help end this feeling in others.

    Read More
Homewatch CareGivers Caregiving Services
Find Your Location Homewatch CareGivers is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Help & Info
  • About Homecare
  • Types of Care
  • Financing Options & Programs
  • Our Resources
  • Owner Login
Our Company
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Caregiver Jobs
  • Blog
  • Franchise Opportunities
Other
  • National Homepage Homewatch CareGivers University Login Privacy Policy Site Map
  • Accessibility Notice
  • HIPAA Disclaimer
  • Do Not Sell My Information - California Residents
Follow Us On

Part of the Authority Brands Family

Authority Brands is the leading provider of in-home services, building brands that support the success of franchisees as well as better the lives of the homeowners we serve and the people we employ.
/
Copyright © 2021 | Homewatch CareGivers® is a trademark owned by Homewatch International, Inc.™ and licensed for use to independently-owned franchised businesses that offer caregiver services to the public. All personal services, elderly care, caregiving and home care services offered OR provided under the Homewatch CareGivers™ mark are offered and provided only by independently-owned franchises and, where required, licensed OR registered businesses and care agencies. Scorpion Franchise Internet Marketing
x

⚠

Your browser is out of date. To get the full experience of this website, please update to most recent version.

Update My Browser