Page Title

Text Box: Coping with Cancer By: Amber Eldredge, MA

Text Box: THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH: Achievement is largely the product of steadily raising one’s levels of aspiration and expectation Jack Nicklaus

Text Box: -My Turn- Age and Wisdom By: Cassie Leutzinger, Psy.D. As a psychologist I work with a number of different populations with diverse needs; however, one population I particularly enjoy is older adults. I grew up in a family where a number of my relatives were much older than the norm and I feel fortunate for this due to the knowledge I gained from them. Professionally, I receive a lot of raised eyebrows and questions when people find out I enjoy working with older adults, which always perplexes me due to the normalcy of being around this population. It is concerning to me the lack of interest many professions, including my own, have regarding older adults and many prefer not to work with this population at all. I admit some cases are more difficult than others due to the complexity of diseases and changes in functioning that occur as we age; however, I have come to find my view of this work significantly differs from many other professionals. I find the work I do with older adults so rewarding, on many occasions it is difficult to call what I do “work”. In talking to older men and women, many of them have significant functional difficulties which are distressing to them and many times compounded by isolation, loneliness, and loss. A smiling face, kind voice, or touch of the hand can often make the biggest difference. These attributes paired with patience and listening help the older population feel understood, which is important to treatment as well as human dignity. I am often asked how I can work with the older population and my answer takes no thought. I answer: because they are our history, filled with knowledge and wisdom, which if we slow down long enough to hear, can meaningfully touch our lives and possibly shape us into better people. I feel privileged to be able to give something back to older adults for the things they have done to change our world, even in the smallest ways, and the piece of my world they influence.

Text Box: Lately, the media has increased its coverage surrounding cancer awareness for good reason. In 2004 there were 8,280 new cancer diagnoses in Nebraska alone (www.cancer.org). With a statistic like that, there is a strong likelihood this disease will personally affect most of us. That being said, how can we as family and friends help our loved one diagnosed with cancer? Here are a few suggestions to ease our stress and feeling of helplessness while helping them cope with adjustments and pain. First, distraction is a great tool. Treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation can be painful and exhausting; therefore, anything to help keep their mind off the pain and focus on something else would be welcome. Using distraction is very easy. It may be reading a book or article out loud to them. Other alternatives may be finding their favorite television show or renting a movie for them. Another inside tip for easing the side effects of treatments is buying candy. Your loved one may suck on hard, sugar-free, sour, or mint candy. These candies can mask strange tastes anytime of the day and mint especially may help with the nauseous feeling the treatments may induce. Having a diagnosis of cancer is stressful for everyone involved and may cause feelings of helplessness. Hopefully these suggestions assist in coping with stress and ease your loved one’s pain