Managing Chemo When Elderly

An older person diagnosed with cancer and receiving chemotherapy treatment worries about many issues: how he will function day-to-day, how she will cope with the side effects, how he will manage his finances, and sometimes, how she will even care for her basic needs during the treatment. Managing chemo when elderly presents unique challenges and obstacles, which an elderly person can overcome with the right information and resources.

Side Effects

• Most people know about hair loss as a possible side effect of chemotherapy treatment. A senior citizen may worry about his appearance and wish to wear a wig or hairpiece during this time. If so, ask a doctor to prescribe a "hair prosthesis," and the cost of that wig may be covered by Medicare or a tax deductible medical expense. Look into the American Cancer Society's "tlc" catalog for options.

  Manage fatigue with nutritional and medical support. Exercise to the degree that your body can handle to stay strong and mobile as long as possible. Maintain safety for yourself by recognizing physical limitations and avoiding falling accidents, which cause a setback in recovery.

  Keep a pain diary or journal to better inform your doctor how you are experiencing pain at appointments. Having a record of the severity, frequency, and type of pain experienced enables a doctor to better treat it. "Chemo-brain" famously promotes unreliable memory, so keep track of what you are experiencing in writing.

Financial Issues

• An elderly patient rightly fears the daunting financial cost of chemotherapy, especially when living on a fixed income. Private health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid help elderly people afford the high price of treatment. Consider joining a Medicare Part-D private insurance program to cover prescription medications.

  Medicare Part-D covers 95 percent of the cost of included prescription medications. Medications a doctor prescribes for home use, including pain and nausea medications, as well as oral at-home chemotherapy medications, are often covered by these plans. Patients pay a monthly premium in addition to the 5 percent co-payment for Medicare Part-D coverage.

Everyday Living

• Find support for tasks such as preparing meals and transportation. Ask for help from friends and family members to get you to appointments and give their support when you need a distraction. Don't allow pride or shame to prevent you from seeking needed support during chemotherapy treatment. Sign up for a program like Meals on Wheels to receive nutritionally balanced meals at nominal cost. Check at your place of worship and hospital for volunteer support services, and join a support group for senior citizens with cancer.