What sort of help can I give to elderly neighbour with cancer?

[BadKittenInAPearTree]

Hi all,
Neighbour across the road has been diagnosed with advanced cancer. He is being sent home from hospital today. He is quite a private man who wouldnt want neighbours interfering too much but he does live alone. Hes good friends with my next door neighbours who are going in today to make sure the house is reasonable and warm. I want to know how I can help support him and help without being too intruding. Would appreciate any advice.
Thanks.

could you do a few things like put the bins out, maybe give him your phone number. given that he is good friends with the other neighbours ask them what would be most helpful.
i't very nice that you want to help i am sure he & his family will be pleased that you are looking out for him.
OJ

if he is up to reading you could get him newpaper every / every other day.... shopping if he is able to eat....
might need help sorting bills writing letters?

If his appetite is ok, good him a meal that he can heat up when he wants to eat (not such a good idea if he doesn't really want/can't eat as that will make him feel guilty)..

Agree with have a word with your neighbours as they may know what he wants/needs.

I think the key thing is not to feel rejected if he really doesn't want your help, I know that my mum wasn't comfortable with neighbours coming round when she was ill with cancer (some of that was because her appearance had changed so much and that she didnt' want to talk about her illness to them etc).

He may be happy with help around the house in general, but again don't be offended if he isn't.

Tis very nice of you to think about him, I am sure he will appreciate that.

Thanks all. I don't think hes been eating properly but hopefully they will give him medication to help with that? I think you are right that following the other neighbours lead is best. Will he need medication picking up for him? Theres been mention of Macmillan nurses but I'm not sure what their full roles is?

I do know him quite well - we often chat in the street and he does our plumbing for us. Theres no way I couldn't offer help. Thanks Heifer for the reminder that he might not want help from us. I really don't want to make things worse for him by imposing unwanted help.

well the Macmillan nurses will sort out his meds and anything else he may need like a hospital bed ect, Macmillan nurses are fab, ours is lovely and a very good listener too.
OJ

Depending on how he feels it sounds like he is quite a sociable man - perhaps he may just like someone to go in and share a cup of tea with him from time to time?

Thanks OJ - thats good to hear.
JJ - he may well like that. Thanks both of you.

I also wondered if he would be happy to let you make him some lunch (if you are around during the day?)
I look after an elderly lady in the village - she is a very proud lady but friends have managed to get her to accept someone making her lunch for her. We have a couple of days each she enjoys the company.

Maybe he would appreciate a friendly face & meal sometimes.

Thats a good thought. He came back home this afternoon - hes had family with him ever since. Will wait until get the other neighbours go ahead before I go bothering him.