Hi. I wonder if anyone can point me in the right direction here. An elderly relative has cancer as a secondary to a previous cancer, but it is this that has a terminal diagnosis.
Actually, this cancer isn't causing unmanageable symptoms in itself and she is still living independently, and until the last few weeks, fairly happily. However, there is a another problem developing which is still under investigation but seems likely to be a condition she either had or developed which is being made worse by the cancer treatment. But until investigations are complete it's impossible to know. She is on the last possible cancer treatment. We are talking debilitating gastro issues, with random days of sickness and reluctance to eat much, meaning that at 81 she's gone from independent to just-about-independant but reliant on family for every need practical and emotional very quickly. Just to set the scene.
Family are doing their best, and she has a visit every day, all admin sorted, various calls for support etc. No children, no husband. But the in-person stuff is largely falling on one person for various reasons and it's not sustainable. I've tried googling but there is so much signposting back and forth, or things that are not relevant here for now and I'm a bit overwhelmed. Is there such a thing as volunteers or anybody to visit for company/immediate troubleshooting/listening/any practical assistance? I feel that she's caught in between a bit as not immediately end of life (I assume!), not needing 24hr care, but actually has quite high needs - mostly handholds and company - which we as a family are doing our best to meet but feel like we are failing. What should I be looking for here?!
If anyone has an wise words or "Google this" advice I'd be very grateful.x