It’s that time of year, and if you’re a caregiver for a cancer patient, you may feel stumped about what gifts to give your loved one, especially if it’s been a tough cancer year.
When choosing, consider your loved one’s needs. Is there neuropathy involved? Or a handicap? Or fatigue? Has he or she lost a lot of weight lately? Have things been too serious or very scary? Gifts that comfort can make your loved one feel safe and cozy.
Suggestions:
— A soft lap blanket for napping
— A comfy pillow to rest the head
— A recliner
— Easy-to-put-on slippers, slipper socks with treads, velcro-fastened or slip-on shoes
— Clothing that doesn’t require a lot of effort to put on — sweats, lounge wear, pants with elastic waists, tops that don’t have a lot of buttons
— A funky cane — something colorful, camouflage, folding, or even one that has a seat attached, for when your loved one gets tired and needs to just rest a minute
— A colorful hat, scarf, or turban
— A calculator and/or dictionary, to compensate for those “chemo brain” moments
But don’t stop there — consider other unusual offerings:
— Dinner and a movie of your loved one’s choice
— A drive to see the Christmas lights
— Tickets to a holiday show
Wherever your loved one is in cancer treatment and management, make your gifts fit his or her physical, mental, and emotional needs. Cancer always takes its toll on quality of life for your loved one. Whatever you can do to help compensate for the loss of opportunities and abilities is something that will empower and encourage your loved one. Sometimes the biggest gift you can give someone with cancer is to keep hope alive. No matter what happens, your commitment to be there through rain or shine, sleet or snow, is wonderful gift to give. Celebrate what is good at this very moment and put cancer on the back burner for a while. Love, not cancer, makes the world go around, caregivers!
For more free help with cancer caregiving, visit:
The Practical Caregiver Guides
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