Cancer Care

Expert Cancer Care From The Live-In Care Specialists

CANCER CARE FOR YOU OR A LOVED ONE

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be one of the toughest moments in someone’s life and doesn’t just affect the person with the diagnosis but also their family and loved ones. The diagnosis may also bring up questions about your ongoing care and treatment. If you wish to stay in the comfort of your own home, BlueBell Healtcare carers can help support you with daily tasks around the home as well as supporting you to and from your appointments and treatment.

At BlueBell Healtcare we have been helping many people with cancer to live a peaceful and fulfilled life with independence, by providing cancer care at home. We understand how upsetting a diagnosis of cancer is for all the family. Our trained and dedicated carers will support both your physical and emotional needs with a sensitive and compassionate approach, no matter where you are on your journey. With our fully managed live in care service families have reassurance at a time they need it most. Our cancer care at home is trusted by families across Oxfordshire and beyond to really make a difference to someone living with cancer.

What Is Cancer?

Cancer is a disease caused when cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. These cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding healthy tissue, including organs.

Our bodies are made up of trillions of cells. When these cells grow old, they normally die. Cancer occurs when something goes wrong in this process and your body keeps making new cells or the old ones don’t die as they should. As cancer cells grow out of control, this can make it hard for your body to work in the way that it should.

Cancer can occur anywhere in the body. Some cancers grow fast, while others spread slowly. There are two main categories of cancer: hematologic cancers affect blood cells while solid tumour cancers are cancer of any body tissue or organ.

Some cancers are best treated with surgery while others respond well to treatments such as chemotherapy. Most often, a combination of different treatments is used.

Many people diagnosed with cancer successfully beat the disease and go on to live full lives after cancer treatment. Making some simple changes to your lifestyle, such as regularly exercising and eating a healthy, balanced diet, can significantly reduce your risk of developing cancer.

Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms of cancer will depend on the part of the body that is affected. It’s important to be aware of any new or worrying symptoms.

The following are some general symptoms of cancer, but it is important to note that they are not exclusive to cancer. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, speak to your GP so they can rule out any other underlying causes.

Coughing, chest pain or breathlessness
Feeling tired or unwell
Changes in bowel or bladder habits
Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin
Difficulty swallowing
Moles that change shape or colour
Unexplained bleeding or bruising
Unexplained weight loss
Persistent indigestion or heartburn

The Home You Love Is Best for Cancer Care

Many families in Oxfordshire, and throughout the country believe the only choice they have when a family member or loved one needs care is that they must leave their much-loved home and move into a care home. This is just not true. The Live in Care Hub conducted a survey in 2017 and found that 97% of people given the choice, would prefer to carry on living in their own home with the support of a carer. Live in care is becoming better understood and popular as a real alternative to moving into a residential setting. With live in care provided by BlueBell Healtcare you can be assured of a high-quality live in care service provided by a trusted and established provider – a service that has benefitted many families for many years.

There are countless life-enriching benefits to staying at home with a highly trained and experienced carer who is dedicated to you, instead of facing the upset and worry of moving into a care or nursing home. With an BlueBell Healtcare carer you will be able to live life your way with a tailored plan of care delivered by a compassionate carer on a one-to-one basis – this just simply cannot be offered in a care home.

Life in a care home can be very restrictive – you will have little choice as to when you get up, when you eat your meals and when you can have visitors and socialise. It is very different with live in care. We have been helping our clients to continue to live with freedom and choice that means they can lead a better quality of life with all the support they need.

The Benefits of Cancer Care at Home

Round-the-clock support for all aspects of your physical, medical and emotional needs.
Stay in your much-loved home to receive the care you need, surrounded by your family, pets and treasured items.
Your care will be delivered in line with your personalised care plan, taking into account your preferences and dislikes.
Nutritional support through meal planning and cooking.
The maintenance of your independence and freedom to live the life you choose.
A live in carer can take the responsibility of care away from family members, meaning they can focus on being your daughter, son or spouse.
Receiving care at home lowers the risk of infection and illness when compared to a hospital or residential care setting.
Friendly companionship and emotional support for you and your family, should you need it.

How to Cope After a Cancer Diagnosis

It can be difficult to process the information provided to you after a cancer diagnosis. There will be many decisions to take about your future treatment and care path. It is important to ensure you take your time when making these important decisions.

ACCEPT WHAT’S HAPPENING

It is important to accept your diagnosis and process all the emotions that come with it. It can be a daunting time, with many questions and uncertainties. It is important to process these thoughts and feelings, and try to revert your mindset into a positive frame of mind.

UNDERSTAND YOUR OPTIONS

Knowledge is power, especially when you need to understand your treatment options and their potential side effects. It is a good idea to have someone with you at your appointments who can take notes that you can review after. This way you are capturing all the information and giving yourself time to reflect.

TALK

Remember to talk to your loved ones or a professional, if that feels more comfortable, about how you are feeling. You can reach out to cancer charities who will be able to support you. Charities like Macmillian and Marie Curie would be able to support you.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES

Make sure you keep your body and mind healthy. Ensure you get a good, varied diet. Also, take time for your mental wellbeing, take moments to reflect on your journey, the ones you have completed and the next stages in your life. Meditation may be helpful, as well as practising mindfulness. Physical exercise is also great at lifting the mood as well releasing endorphins, to make you feel lifted.

DON’T GIVE UP ON LIFE

Even after a diagnosis many people go on to make a recovery, live with an ongoing treatment plan and have many years ahead of them. It is important to stay focussed on the here and now, as well as your future. Some people find making a bucket list a good outlet for detailing all the things they have wanted to achieve but have not had time due to other commitments. Also, it is important to include your family, they will also be processing your diagnosis. Maybe write a bucket list together and plan something the whole family will enjoy achieving.

SPECIALIST CANCER CARE SUPPORT PROVIDED BY TRAINED AND EXPERIENCED CARERS

Our specialist cancer care is founded on an expert approach to care delivery. All our dedicated carers are experienced in how to care for someone living with cancer, no matter what cancer they are living with. Our gentle and compassionate carers recognise the importance of maintaining control and choice in your life. We know that people can live well for many years to come and with our care and support you can achieve an improved quality of life.

Our Live-In Cancer Care Service

An BlueBell Healtcare’ experienced and dedicated carer will provide a range of live in cancer care services in the comfort of your home including:

A multidisciplinary approach

As an established live in care provider in Oxford, we have built strong relationships with local healthcare professionals, including GPs, district nurses, local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and other charitable organisations and community healthcare services. This means we can provide a multidisciplinary approach to dementia care that is focused on improving health and well-being whilst avoiding any unnecessary hospital admissions.

Compassionate companionship

We know how important companionship in later life. Our compassionate and respectful carer will be matched to not only meet your dementia care needs, but we look to match personalities and interests. We know this makes for a fulfilling and pleasurable way of life based on friendship and companionship. Whilst respecting your privacy, our carer is trained to support your psychological and emotional needs too.

Trained carers accurately manage medications

Our carers are trained in management of medications, which is so important in supporting someone living with dementia. They will proactively monitor and administer medications, ensuring they are effectively managed and any prescription required is ready as and when you need it. Peace of mind for everyone.

Sensitive personal care

Whilst personal care relates to undertaking the day-to-day tasks of caring, including washing, bathing and getting dressed and undressed, it also considers a person’s confidence and self-esteem. There is nothing better than having freshly painted nails, or your hair styled how you like it – our carers will make sure you feel your best every day.

Safe movement in and around your home

Oxford Aunts carers have a strong understanding of falls prevention and how conditions can impact on mobility. In conjunction with our experienced Care Assessors, and liaison with multidisciplinary teams, such as Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists, we can ensure you receive the correct equipment at home. This will be life enriching and enable you to feel safe and secure when moving around your home.

Food planned and cooked as you wish

Your live-in carer will carefully plan all your meals and will shop for the groceries as needed. They will then cook healthy, nutritious and enjoyable food according to your likes and dislikes. Many of our clients and carers enjoy cooking together as a shared pastime. Unlike a care home, you will be able to eat as and when you like.

Keeping you connected to your community

At Blue Bell we know how important it is that you keep connected to your local community – whether it is a local community group you have attended for years, a stroll around a much-loved shop or sitting peacefully in a local park – our committed carers will facilitate your enjoyment outside of the home and support you to do as much as you wish.

Socialisation is key to health and happiness

With isolation a concern as we get older, our proactive carers will facilitate you having visitors as and when you wish. Whether it is a catch up with friends, or a family occasion or celebration our carer will meet all your socialisation needs so you can enjoy life at home.

Domestic and household services

Our carer will make sure your home is clean, tidy and well-kept to the standards you should expect. Everything from dusting, cleaning, vacuuming, washing and ironing to light garden work – our carer will ensure your home is looking its very best every day.

Pet care

How We Provide Cancer Care at Home

The flexible cancer care service provided by BlueBell Healtcare can be provided in many different situations to support your care needs, including:

When a person needs round-the-clock care and support, 24-hour live in care can allow them to remain safe and independent at home whilst improving their quality of life.
A respite service can be provided on a live in basis to support a family carer having a much-needed break to rest and recharge. Our respite cancer care service can give you the break you need, whilst you see whether 24-hour live in care would work for you and your family.
If you need end-of-life palliative care this can also be provided as a live in care service in the comfort of your home, negating the need to move into a residential setting or a hospice. Our carers make sure a person’s health needs are met whilst ensuring they have all their wishes, choices and preferences met.
Care for couples, so you can stay together as a loving couple with the personalised support they need and ensure you both have a good quality of life.

Our High-Quality Parkinson’s Care Service Includes:

A comprehensive assessment of your needs – our assessment will address not just your care needs but how you wish to live your life
Careful matching of an experienced and dedicated carer who will meet all your needs
A highly tailored care plan created using a multidisciplinary approach in consultation with other healthcare professionals and community organisations involved in your care, as well as where appropriate your family members or loved ones
Unrivalled support from a team of two care managements experts local to you
Domestic and household tasks
Cooking, meal planning, shopping and preparation
24-hours a day out-of-hours emergency support should you need it.

Why choose BlueBell Healtcare for specialist Cancer care?

At the heart of our cancer care is enabling people to well in their own home with the care and support they need from a carefully well-matched, trained and dedicated carer. With an BlueBell Healtcare carer you can be reassured that you are receiving high-quality cancer care and family members get all the support they need during what we know can be a difficult and worrying time.

A Highly-Personalised Care Plan

Over the past 50 years we have established a reputation for matching carers with our clients to ensure they meet all their needs – this is not just about matching skills, but making sure backgrounds and personalities are aligned so both client and carer can enjoy life together. On the odd occasion we do not get the match right we respond efficiently to find another carer whilst minimising any disruption to the service. Depending on the level of cancer care required, it will determine not just the cost of your care, but the experience we expect your carer to have to ensure the high standards of care we are renowned for throughout Oxfordshire and beyond.

Expert Carer Matching

Our market leading carer training programme has been created with leading experts and goes well beyond the mandatory requirements. This equips our carers to support those living with cancer, which requires more monitoring, care and support. Our carers never stop learning new skills that ensure they continue to deliver the highest standards of cancer care.

Continuity of care makes all the difference

Our carers will come and live with you to provide care and support for a longer period than might be offered by other live in care providers. We know that this gives an opportunity for a strong relationship to be formed and a deeper understanding of our clients’ cancer care needs offering consistency and continuity of care.

Expertly trained carers

A fully managed and regulated dementia care service

Our fully managed and regulated cancer care service means our carers are employed and managed by us whilst they are caring for you. They are supported by a care management team made up of care experts who ensure they are supervised and supported to provide the high standards of care. If you use an introduction agency you will be left to manage the carer, pay them and organise holiday cover once you are introduced to them and they start to care for you.

For the many families that BlueBell Healtcare supports, we know this provides lots of reassurance whilst removing the burden of having to carefully manage the care arrangement for their family member or loved one.

Rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC)

We are proud to have been rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in all five measures – safe, caring, effective, responsive and well-led. We know this provides families with peace of mind that their loved one is receiving the best possible care.

Unrivalled support near you

We operate throughout Oxfordshire and its surrounding counties. Each regional team is made up of a dedicated Care Assessor local to you who is on hand to provide unrivalled levels of support to you, your family and our carer. They are supported by a Care Manager at our central office who handles all other aspects of care delivery to ensure a quality service is delivered, every time.

TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR LIVE IN CARE NEEDS

Call our friendly and approachable care advisors today to see how we can help you and your family.