While the number of cancer patients unfortunately continues to increase in the United States – with over 2 million new cases in 2023, which was up from 1.9 million in 2022 – some more optimistic news is cancer deaths are steadily decreasing, according to the American Cancer Society. In fact, since 1991, the number of cancer patient deaths has decreased by 33%. Several factors have led to this decline, including early cancer detection, treatment advancements, improved screening programs, and the decrease in smoking.

Specialized In-Home Care for Cancer Patients

Another important factor contributing to this improvement is home care for cancer patients. As hospital stays become shorter due to treatment innovations and changes in health care systems, cancer patients often still require specialized assistance as they undergo chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. That’s where home care can play a critical role, with caregivers providing temporary and ongoing support so that loved ones remain safe at home.

Caregivers can help mitigate stress and make cancer patients feel as comfortable as possible through the following home care services:

• Assistance with daily activities and personal needs, such as bathing, dressing, and mobility.
• Housekeeping duties, such as cleaning, shopping, and cooking.
• Arrangements for home care and services, like making appointments, providing transportation, and running errands.
• Support for patients coping with nausea, anemia, pain, infection, and other complications.
• Recognition and reporting of problems or new symptoms to family members.
• Providing emotional support and encouragement to help cancer patients get through treatment plans and take other steps to get well, like eating healthy meals or getting enough rest.

The Benefits of Home Care for Cancer Patients are Not New.

In a 1989 study, McCorkle et al carried out a randomized clinical trial to determine the effects of home care versus typical office care for 166 patients with progressive lung cancer. Although there were no differences in pain, significant differences in symptom distress, social dependency, and health perceptions were reported. These results suggest that home care can alleviate some discomfort for cancer patients and help maintain their independence longer.

As one of the oldest and most well-respected home care resources in Maryland and Washington, D.C., Family & Nursing Care’s mission is to help older adults, including cancer patients, maintain their quality of life as they age. For more than 55 years, we have helped tens of thousands of families by providing access to a network of over 1,500 experienced Caregivers who assist with activities of daily living, mobility, errands, meal prep, and companionship, in addition to more specialized support, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Parkinson’s disease, hospice and palliative care, pneumonia, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and depression.

To learn more about Family & Nursing Care’s leading home care services and support for cancer patients, call us at 800-588-0517 or visit the Home Care and Cancer page on our website.

The relationship between Family & Nursing Care Caregiver, Grace Rogers, and the Pratt family began nearly a decade ago when Grace started caring for the late Mrs. Pratt. Following his mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Mrs. Pratt’s son, Peter Harris, received a referral for home care services from the family’s care manager at Aging Network Services, an aging life care management provider. Mr. Harris subsequently reached out to Family & Nursing Care. Grace was the first Caregiver who the family interviewed, and it didn’t take long for either party to know that it was a good match. Grace explained, “After the second question, the family could see that I clicked with them and asked me to begin work that same day.”

Grace has not only provided the highest level of care to both the late Mrs. Pratt and currently her husband Mr. Pratt, but also became an integral part of the extended Pratt family throughout the years. Mrs. Pratt and Grace grew very close over course of the seven years Grace cared for her until her death in 2020. Peter says, “They understood each other till the very end. It was almost like they had a nonverbal connection – Grace always somehow knew what my mother was thinking.”

Grace sometimes affectionately referred to Mrs. Pratt as “Mommy” because of the mother-like role she played in her life. And Grace’s dedication to the family is nothing short of  extraordinary – she even ceased travel to Africa to see her own family while taking care of Mrs. Pratt because she knew she was needed while Mrs. Pratt’s health was so fragile. Grace said, “I needed her to know that I was there and wouldn’t leave her when she needed me. She was my family too.”

Grace stayed on to care for Mr. Pratt after Mrs. Pratt’s passing and is just as devoted to his care as she was to that of his late wife. Peter finds great comfort knowing his stepfather is being well taken care of by Grace, and that the family can turn to the Family & Nursing Care team for questions and support. In addition, he is grateful for the support of Alison Carelli, Mr. Pratt’s care manager at Aging Network Services. Living on the opposite side of the country, Peter tries to visit to check in on Mr. Pratt every six weeks, but relies on Mr. Pratt’s care team to keep him apprised with clear lines of communication. He says, “The staff at Family & Nursing Care is professional. They give me a sense of confidence. When they are on the job, I know everything is going to be okay.”

Because of their tenure together, Mr. Pratt trusts Grace implicitly, and she is able be direct with him when needed. Alison said, “Grace is able to tell him how it is, and he receives it so well because of their long-term relationship. She knows what she’s talking about and cares very much about him, and he knows it too.”

This year, Grace’s mother became very ill, so she went back to Africa for a visit. Although Mr. Pratt received excellent care from a substitute Caregiver in her absence, the family noticed that he wasn’t eating as much. Anticipating Grace’s return, Mr. Pratt joked with his family saying, “Grace will cook me good food.” Sure enough, he was happy to have Grace back, as he demonstrated by beginning to eat better again.

The relationship between the Pratt family and Grace is truly a blessing to all parties. During the winter holiday season, the whole family, including Grace, come together to enjoy a native African holiday dinner that she prepares. Grace said, “It’s so nice to be included in their family in this special way.”

The Pratt family appreciates Grace for the care she has provided to Mr. and Mrs. Pratt over the years, and she appreciates them for trusting her to take care of each of them as if they were her own family.

There is no question that Grace puts her heart into everything she does, and the mutual love the Pratts and Grace have for each other has bonded them forever. It is bonds like this that encourage us at Family & Nursing Care as we continue to strive to solve aging adult challenges that families in our region face each day.

Madison Hoover’s commitment to a high level of customer service through empathy, guidance, and compassion tailored to each client is unparalleled. Since joining the Client Services department in March of 2020, the clients and families that she serves at Leisure World have continuously sung Madison’s praises for the incredible support she has provided to them:

“Communications with Madison and her efforts to meet our caregiving needs are excellent, timely, and responsive.”

“Madison has been a joy to work with. She is very helpful, returns my calls promptly, and is knowledgeable.”

“Our new manager, Madison took over the job beautifully, maintaining a high level of coordination. In the very rare times when a Caregiver did not work out, Madison has handled the problem quickly and with sensitivity.”

Madison’s sense of organization and attention to detail, responsiveness, caring nature, and excellent communication skills, especially in complex situations, as demonstrated by the feedback above is a testament to her dedication to those in the community she serves, as well as the professionals she works alongside.

Madison holds a bachelor’s degree in Family & Human Services in addition to a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration. Prior to joining the Family & Nursing Care team, she worked as a case manager and mental health administrator for military families for four years.

Madison and her husband are excitedly anticipating the arrival of a baby boy this summer.

Family & Nursing Care was recently recognized by the Washington Business Journal as one of the top 15 midsize companies for giving in the Greater D.C. area. The Family & Nursing Care Foundation plays a big role in the company’s philanthropic efforts.

“When I founded Family & Nursing Care in 1968, my dream was to provide older adults and their families peace of mind by offering them a resource for reliable, dedicated, and compassionate home care whenever it was needed,” says Family & Nursing Care’s founder and visionary, Sandy Kursban.

At Family & Nursing Care, they clearly understand that the cost of home care may be a barrier for lower income older adults who could benefit from home care. That’s why Sandy established the Family & Nursing Care Foundation, a fund of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, in 2008.  Through grants to community partners the Foundation helps lower-income older adults gain access to needed home care.

“It warms my heart that so many members of our Family & Nursing Care staff have chosen and continue to choose to make donations to the Family & Nursing Care Foundation – whether through payroll deduction, at our annual holiday party, or through initiatives such as our GivHero challenge,” says Sandy.

Fostering the Next Generation of Caregivers

The Family & Nursing Care Foundation not only helps low-income older adults to have access to quality home care, but the Foundation also awards scholarship funds to Montgomery College to help local students become the next generation of trained Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).

Sandy says it’s rewarding to talk with the scholarship recipients – especially upon graduation – and hear how grateful they are for the support that provided them an opportunity to not only improve their lives, but also the lives of others.

“This is what my life, both personal and professional, is all about,” says Sandy. “With the work of the Foundation, our commitment to helping others can extend to more people than ever before.”

Sandy recalls a time when a scholarship recipient inquired with her about joining Family & Nursing Care as a Caregiver. After following Sandy’s guidance and gaining two years of long-term care experience in a nursing home or private duty setting (Family & Nursing Care’s prerequisite for onboarding Caregivers), the CNA scholarship recipient is now a Caregiver with Family & Nursing Care and is helping to improve the lives of clients through compassionate care.

What’s Next

The number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to more than double to 98 million by 2060, and Maryland’s projected population of people over 60 is expected to make up 26% of the 6.7 million total population by 2030. Recent studies have shown that there will need to be more than 1.3 million new Caregivers to meet the home care demand for this growing population.

“I started the Foundation because I wanted to offer assistance for older adults who couldn’t afford care,” says Sandy. “Now, it’s also really important to make sure that we have enough Caregivers as the population ages.”

It is the Foundation’s goal to continue to advocate for low-income seniors and the care they deserve, all while supporting the next generation of Caregivers who will provide care for those seniors.

“Together, we can make a huge difference in the lives of so many others,” Sandy says.

Learn more about the Foundation here.