How to Support a Senior With Cancer

Cancer does not discriminate: It affects people around the world, from all backgrounds and at all stages of their life; however, those who are at an advanced age may feel the effects of cancer even more than others, for a number of reasons. Elderly cancer patients may be grappling with other expected conditions that naturally come with aging, but which may make fighting off the disease a bit more challenging. Those who are already impacted by mobility issues or memory challenges can be especially affected by the toll of cancer. Seniors often have smaller circles of support than younger patients as well, meaning fewer hands on deck and less day-to-day, practical support. Finances are also a consideration; many seniors have already retired or are unable to work and are on fixed incomes. Cancer can present a significant financial burden to even middle-aged, working adults so it’s to be expected that the condition will disproportionately impact elderly patients. Cancer financial help is one avenue for assistance that loved ones of a senior patient can pursue. Programs like Life Credit’s Living Benefit Loans can connect seniors with the life insurance that they’ve likely paid into for decades, allowing them to use those funds to put up their best fight possible against the disease so they can truly enjoy their golden years. Many healthcare facilities also offer financial consultants, and cancer nonprofits—at both the national and local levels—provide financial resources for patients in need, which caregivers for elderly patients should explore as another means of cancer financial help. Apart from finances, supporting a senior with cancer can involve altering one’s daily schedule...

Top Five Ways You Can Support a Cancer Patient

Cancer patients need support across a variety of spectrums—medical, financial and emotional, among others. Loved ones who have a family member or friend battling cancer may often feel at a loss of how to meet all those needs, but there are some simple ways to make the fight against cancer a little easier. 1. Organize a community benefit: Cancer patients, even those who are insured, are often in need of financial assistance to help pay medical bills and other expenses. If you’re unsure how to plan a benefit, many restaurants, country clubs or other venues often employ event specialists and other planners who can assist with all the details, such as invitations, organizing raffles and ordering food and other supplies. 2. Partner with a local or national cancer organization: Another way for those considering how to hold a fundraiser for cancer patients is to seek a partnership with a cancer agency. Such organizations can offer insight and resources for organizing unique events to benefit individual patients, such as walk-a-thons, parties or donation drives. 3. Connect the patient with needed resources: Sometimes a cancer patient may not have the time or energy to invest in finding information that could help them in their journey. Explore programs that could meet the individual needs of your loved one, such as Life Credit’s Living Benefit Loans, which allow patients to borrow against their own life insurance. 4. Consider overlooked tasks: Treating cancer is an around-the-clock chore, which means daily chores may fall by the wayside. Help out the patient in your life by cooking meals, transporting kids to and from activities or even...

Emergency Financial Help For Cancer Patients    

While every cancer diagnosis is unique, most share the common factor of the news being sudden and unexpected. As such, few people have any sort of contingency plan for handling such a medical crisis. Their daily routines, work schedules and especially finances are often thrown into disarray, meaning they and their loved ones need to quickly figure out some stopgap measures to ease the stress and help them focus on getting better. While family and friends may dive in to help with daily responsibilities, emergency financial aid for cancer patients is also available to address the monetary aspect of a cancer crisis. One of the first sources of financial aid for cancer patients can often be found at healthcare facilities, which usually are able to connect patients with a financial consultant. Such an individual will be able to offer insight into relevant programs and policies to help patients navigate the complex world of cancer costs. However, patients should be cautious about the advice offered by hospital-employed financial advisors, as they do have the organization’s own interests in mind, as well as those of the patient. Finding one’s own financial aid for cancer patients is another avenue. One way to access emergency funds is through a patient’s own resources, such as life insurance. Some insurance companies allow holders to borrow against the value of the policy; however, such arrangements typically only involve whole life insurance and may require a pre-written rider to enable such circumstances. Alternately, programs such as Life Credit’s Living Benefits Loans allow life insurance holders with at least $75,000 in their policies to receive up to half of their death benefit and then repay that loan and regain control...