When your mother learns that her closest friend has breast cancer, the news hits two households at once. Her first instinct will be to help. She may also no longer drive, or she may tire easily and have health problems of her own. Senior Helpers knows that caregivers can make supporting a friend with breast cancer possible, and you can notice when the news is weighing on her too.

Helping Your Parent Stay Close From Home

Supporting your senior loved one to stay connected with a distant friend facing health challenges is a meaningful way to offer support. These simple routines can help maintain these bonds.

• Supporting a friend with breast cancer can start with a weekly phone call at a set time. It gives both women something to count on, even if they haven't lived on the same street in years.
• Handwritten notes are often deeply appreciated by older adults. Keep stamps handy in the kitchen for a quick note every week or two.
• Prop a tablet at eye level so they can chat face-to-face. Some friends even enjoy leaving the screen open to watch a shared TV program together from their respective living rooms.
• A thoughtful gesture goes a long way. Your parent might pick out a soft throw blanket or a crossword book, and you can easily drop it off for their friend during your next errand run.

When Visits Make Sense

Visiting is another way of supporting a friend with breast cancer, but it takes some planning. Call ahead, keep the visit short, and go at a time when your parent usually feels best. People in treatment can be more prone to infection, so if your parent has a cold, it's better to wait and mail a card.

You might drive and wait in the car with a book, or come in with coffee for a few minutes and then leave the two of them alone to talk.

When Supporting a Friend With Breast Cancer Stirs Up Feelings

A friend's diagnosis can evoke fear and grief for your senior loved one. Providing steady support and helpful resources can ease these complex emotions.

• Encourage your senior loved one to express concerns about health and loss, as talking can help them process their fears.
• Some people put off their own medical care during stressful periods. Encourage them to keep their regular doctor appointments and to mention any prolonged weeks of low mood.
• The Family Caregiver Alliance offers valuable guidance on managing caregiver stress, which applies just as much to friends as it does to family members.
• For more information on breast cancer itself and support programs for patients and families, many people turn to the national organization Susan G. Komen.

Companionship and Care for the People You Love

Friendship support often comes down to logistics, like a ride to a hospital visit or an extra pair of hands. At the same time, your mother bakes her friend's favorite bread. Senior Helpers Western Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties offers companionship, transportation, errands, and assistance with daily routines for older adults in Avon, Avon Lake, Berea, Brook Park, and Westlake. We can help your parent show up for the people she cares about. Contact us to ask about companionship and rides while your mother supports her friend.