{"id":12117,"date":"2022-11-01T15:21:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-01T19:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carehop.ca\/blog\/emotionally-supporting-a-loved-one-with-cancer\/"},"modified":"2022-11-01T15:21:00","modified_gmt":"2022-11-01T19:21:00","slug":"emotionally-supporting-a-loved-one-with-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carehop.ca\/fr\/blog\/emotionally-supporting-a-loved-one-with-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Emotionally Supporting a Loved One with Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n[et_pb_section fb_built=\u00a0\u00bb1″ admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbsection\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.16″ global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00a0\u00bbpost_content\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.16″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00a0\u00bbpost_content\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.16″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00a0\u00bbpost_content\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.17.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb hover_enabled=\u00a0\u00bb0″ global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00a0\u00bbpost_content\u00a0\u00bb sticky_enabled=\u00a0\u00bb0″]

One of the most devastating diagnoses one can receive is cancer. This terrible disease is not only physically devastating but also emotionally impactful, not just for the patient but also for their families.<\/p>\n

Older people facing this disease and the difficult treatments can sometimes lead to depression. It\u2019s critical for families to know the signs of depression in their loved ones with cancer so they can take the best course of action.<\/p>\n

Can a cancer diagnosis lead to depression?<\/h2>\n

According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health problem or illness in any given year<\/a>. They also report that the number is higher for people with cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can trigger a host of emotions, such as fear, anxiety, and anger. It\u2019s not easy to come to terms with this new journey fraught with unexpected challenges, and it’s perfectly normal to experience intense emotions during this time.<\/p>\n

The fatigue, nausea, or body pain associated with treatment can reduce one\u2019s quality of life and prevent them from engaging in activities they usually enjoy. This can lead to depression too.<\/p>\n

The commission also reported that 78 percent of Canadian cancer survivors experienced at least one emotional concern up to three years after completing treatment<\/a>. Returning to your everyday life after battling such an aggressive illness can be overwhelming for many people. They might also find that support from family, friends, and doctors may have diminished from when they were undergoing treatment.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why it\u2019s essential to watch for the signs of depression in your older loved one both during and after cancer treatments to help protect their mental health.<\/p>\n

What are the signs of depression in an older adult?<\/h2>\n

Depression is often hidden in someone undergoing cancer treatment because the symptoms are often quite similar. For example, fatigue is prevalent in people fighting cancer and is also a hallmark sign of depression. Sometimes, depression goes undiagnosed because the fatigue is often attributed to cancer by family members or even the patient.<\/p>\n

Other symptoms of depression tend to start small and gradually get worse over time, making changes in the person\u2019s demeanour hard to notice. However, it\u2019s still important to track the possible symptoms so you can encourage your loved one to seek help.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the signs to watch out for:<\/p>\n