Cancer care at home
Practical help, comfort and company at home during treatment, recovery or the later stages of cancer.
Help at home during cancer
Cancer is a condition where cells in the body grow in an uncontrolled way (NHS). Treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy can be tiring, and many people need practical help at home for a while, even if they are usually independent.
Which care fits
During treatment
Tiredness, appointments and recovering after each round of treatment.
Often suits: hourly visits around treatment days
Recovering
Getting strength and confidence back, and returning to normal routines.
Often suits: hourly visits that reduce over time, or companionship
Later stages
Needing more personal care and comfort, and perhaps someone there day and night.
Often suits: live-in care or palliative care at home
Eating when appetite is low
- Small meals and snacks more often
- Favourite foods, and drinks within reach
- Following any advice from the hospital dietitian
- Eating together, which can help
Looking after the family carer
Caring for someone through cancer is tiring. Hourly visits, overnight care or respite care give family time to rest, work or simply be together rather than always caring. You may be entitled to a carer's assessment from your council.
What a carer can do
- Help with washing, dressing and personal care on tiring days
- Prepare light meals and drinks, and encourage eating when appetite is low
- Go to appointments and treatment together
- Keep the home clean and the laundry done
- Prompt medication as agreed
- Offer company and reassurance, and give family a break
Who else is involved
The hospital cancer team, the GP, specialist and district nurses lead treatment and clinical care. The carer supports day-to-day life at home.
Money and support
Your council can carry out a needs assessment, and NHS Continuing Healthcare can be fast-tracked if someone is terminally ill. Macmillan Cancer Support has information on practical, emotional and financial support.
Tell us about them
The diagnosis, how they are now, routines, and what matters to them.
See matched profiles
Profiles say what experience each carer has, so you can choose with care.
Speak first
Talk to carers by phone or video call before you agree to anything.
Care starts
You and your carer agree the routine, and change it as needs change.
How carers are checked
Before LCH Care introduces a carer, we check their identity, right to work in the UK, Enhanced DBS, two references, work history, and relevant training or qualifications. Carers also hold their own public liability insurance. You then speak to the carer by phone or video call before you agree to anything.
Other conditions
- Dementia care
- Parkinson's care
- Stroke care
- Palliative and end of life care
- Multiple sclerosis care
- Motor neurone disease care
- Brain injury care
- Spinal cord injury care
- Cerebral palsy care
- Muscular dystrophy care
- Diabetes care
- Heart disease care
- COPD care
- Arthritis and osteoporosis care
- Sight loss care
- Mental health support
- Learning disability support
- All conditions
Questions
Can care be arranged just around treatment days?
Yes. Hourly visits can be planned around treatment days and the days after, with a minimum of 2 hours a visit.
Can a carer come to hospital appointments?
Yes. Going to appointments together is a common part of care. Agree travel arrangements with your carer.
What if needs increase?
Care can move from visits to live-in or palliative care at home, and the same carer can often continue.
Can a carer help after an operation?
Yes. Many people need help for a few weeks after surgery, with personal care, meals and getting about.
Can a carer support someone living alone during treatment?
Yes. Visits around treatment days help people who live alone get through the most tiring days.