Mesothelioma and Seniors
A cancer diagnosis is tough to handle, no matter what age the patient might be. But dealing with cancer is especially difficult for seniors, especially those who are facing the multiple medical concerns that come with aging, including other diseases and disorders.
Mesothelioma, an asbestos cancer, is one of those cancers that are most likely to strike the senior population. This is because the disease, for which the only known cause is exposure to asbestos, has a long latency period. That means the time that passes between exposure to the mineral and the development of the disease can be quite lengthy, often as long as 50 years. Hence, many victims are elderly by the time the cancer is discovered - estimates say about 75 percent of all cases are among senior adults - and most have probably long forgotten their exposure to this toxic material. A large number of adult mesothelioma victims were probably exposed during service to the military while others were sickened due to occupational exposure.
Nonetheless, regardless of why mesothelioma developed, this is a tough cancer to battle and its presence will have a lasting affect on the senior and his/her family.
Dealing with the Everyday Trials of the Disease
Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is made, there are all kinds of questions to be answered and decisions to be made. Family members, if available, will probably want to be involved in the discussions about the disease, its treatment, and what is to be expected as it progresses.
Seniors with mesothelioma have probably already started slowing down and may be finding that it is difficult to carry on with everyday responsibilities. If the victim is working - even part-time - he may need to cease employment. Because mesothelioma causes breathing problems and other symptoms that can be quite debilitating, the patient may also find that doing things like going to the store, straightening up around the house, or making dinner has become difficult. For many seniors, especially those who've been quite active, this is a serious blow and one that may cause a great deal of anxiety and depression.
At this point, it is necessary for family members to now play a more active role in the life of the loved one who has malignant mesothelioma. In some cases, the family may move the cancer patient in with them and assume responsibility for his care. In other instances, when that is not possible, arrangements for in-home assistance may be necessary. Help may also be needed to get to doctor's appointments or to find good mesothelioma treatment options.
When the disease has progressed to end-stage and it's difficult for the patient's family to offer proper care, the family members - along with the patient - will need to talk about hospice and other end-of-life issues. Often, it's good to address these issues ahead of time so that it's not necessary to make spur-of-the-moment decisions about care.
Dealing with Money Issues
There's no doubt that mesothelioma cancer is an expensive disease. Often, the act of simply diagnosing the disease takes visits to myriad doctors, some of whom may misdiagnosis the cancer at first, especially if past exposure to asbestos is not revealed.
Medical bills pile up quickly. Some seniors are fortunate enough to have retained good medical insurance - perhaps from a past employer - that will cover most of the costs of cancer treatment. However, others will need to turn to Medicare or Medicaid (which won't cover everything) and may find themselves short when it comes to compiling funds to pay their astronomical medical bills.
Again, family members may need to enter the picture here and help with the bills. However, if that's not possible, caregivers may need to spend time searching for resources that can help cover the cost of care. In many cases, victims and their families have chosen to work with a mesothelioma attorney to file suit against those responsible for the asbestos exposure, hoping to gain compensation that will help pay for those exorbitant medical bills and make up for loss of income.
