Colorectal cancer is one of the top cancers. It’s also easy to beat if you catch it early. Starting at age 45, it’s recommended that you start getting screened for colorectal cancer. This can be done through a test that checks for blood in your stool, a flexible sigmoidoscopy, or a colonoscopy.
Home Care Services in Richmond Hill: Colorectal Cancer
If your mom opts to have the stool test, it should be completed every three years.
A colonoscopy is needed every 10 years unless it’s a virtual one done via x-rays. If a virtual colonoscopy is used, the frequency changes to every 5 years. A flexible sigmoidoscopy is also recommended every five years.
It’s time for your mom to have a colonoscopy. As the family caregiver, you need to know what to expect. Here are the things you need to know.
The Week Before
Around a week prior to her test, take her shopping for foods that are lower in fiber. Low-fiber foods like white rice and potatoes clear out of the intestines faster than high-fiber foods. Make the most of this change and let her enjoy foods she doesn’t often eat because they’re not the best dietary options.
Stock up on yogurt, too. After the colonoscopy, her intestines will have been emptied, which can impact the bacteria counts. Yogurt can help increase it.
The Day Before
The day before her test, she’s going to have to take a colonoscopy preparation that helps clear out the intestines and bowel. It’s often a full 64 ounces, so it can be hard to drink. This preparation is often mixed with a liquid of her choice. Aim for something that has electrolytes to help her manage the period when she can’t eat any solid foods.
This preparation is going to clear out the intestines. She’ll be spending a lot of time on the toilet. Make sure others in the home know it and don’t hog the bathroom.
The Day Of the Procedure
On the day of the colonoscopy, your mom will be given a sedative. She will not be able to drive, so be sure you can be there to take her home, too. If you can’t skip a full day of work and can only drive her there, make sure someone else she trusts is there to bring her back home.
When your work schedule conflicts with your mom’s appointments, hire senior care aides. They can help your mom schedule appointments, handle transportation needs, and be available to assist her around the home. Senior care is easy to arrange. Pick up the phone and call now to start discussing your mom’s care needs.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care Services in Richmond Hill, please contact the caring professionals at Staff Relief Health Care 24/7 at (905)-709-1767.
Sources:
About Susan Di Michele
Follow Us!