Confusion. Short-term memory problems. Lack of ability to focus. Could it be dementia?
Perhaps; however if you are a cancer survivor, there is another common culprit that might be at play: chemotherapy. Referred to as “chemo brain” or by its technical term, chemotherapy induced cognitive impairment (CICI), effects such as these can last for months and sometimes even years post-treatment.
Chemo brain can happen in someone receiving chemotherapy as well as radiation, surgery, or hormonal treatments, even without chemo. Additionally, the cancer itself may cause cognitive problems as well, compounding the challenge with effectively treating the condition.
Dr. Kevin Liou of the Bendhaim Integrative Medicine Center of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center states, “Cancer-related cognitive impairment is now understood to be a complex, multi-factorial problem with various contributory factors.”
As a result, the effects of chemo brain can be experienced any time during or following cancer treatment, presenting with symptoms such as problems with:
- Multitasking
- Reading comprehension
- Choosing the proper word (for example, remembering the name of a person or familiar object)
- Completing sentences
- Processing information
- Attention span
A general feeling of fuzziness has also been reported among many individuals as they recover from chemo brain. Taking the following steps can help optimize cognitive performance if chemo brain is affecting you or someone you love:
- Prioritize obtaining 6 – 8 hours of sleep each night.
- Exercise every day for a minimum of 20 – 30 minutes. This can be as simple as taking the stairs rather than the elevator, selecting a parking space a greater distance from your destination, or taking a daily walk around the neighborhood.
- Manage stress by allocating time each day to integrate soothing activities.
- Minimize distractions.
- Get plenty of fresh air, avoiding contact with any airborne toxins.
- Make a feasible list of to-dos, and prioritize them.
- Use memory-assisting tools such as notifications and alerts on your phone.
- Create and stick to a routine to assist with your particular concerns; for example, if you are struggling with misplacing items, make a habit of consistently placing your wallet, keys, etc. in the same place each day.
Independence-4-Seniors Home Care’s professional caregivers are skilled in caring for individuals with cancer, before, during, and after treatment. Our senior care professionals create a personalized plan of care that addresses any challenges being faced and outlines solutions to help overcome them. Some home care services our team can provide include:
- Planning and preparing healthy and balanced meals that are suitable for those receiving chemotherapy
- Picking up prescriptions, grocery shopping, and running other errands as necessary
- Providing pleasant companionship to take part in conversations and fun activities to brighten each day
- Doing light housekeeping and laundry
- Assisting with personal care needs such as dressing, bathing, and using the bathroom
- And more
Contact Independence-4-Seniors Home Care anytime at (630) 323-4665 to learn more about options for home care in Willowbrook and surrounding areas or to schedule a free in-home consultation.