Caring4Cancer

Laundry and dust bunnies don't stop multiplying just because you're in cancer treatment (although it would be nice if they did). The grass keeps growing, the cat's litter box needs emptying, and checks must be written or online payments made for monthly bills.

You may be having trouble keeping up with regular household chores. That's true for many people going through treatment. Yet it helps you feel better when you have fresh sheets on your bed, a clean living room to sit in, and a driveway or sidewalk that gets shoveled after snow falls.

Getting chores accomplished doesn't have to be, well, a chore. Try these tips to keep things run smoothly:

• Give up perfection. Focus on clean comfort and safety. Let minor chores go for awhile.
  Be flexible and switch roles. You and your spouse may have divvied up duties before along interest or skill lines. Think about which chores you can handle right now and trade off with your partner. You both may enjoy the change.
• Keep lists of what needs to be done. Put a chore list next to your phone. When friends or relatives call and ask, "What can I do to help?" you can then make a specific request, such as "The leaves need to be raked" or "Can you pick up a big bag of dog food at the pet supply store?"
• If possible, try to delegate one ongoing task (such as raking leaves throughout the fall) to one volunteer. That way, once the chore is assigned, you won't have to think about it again.
• Consolidate chores and shopping so that you or your helpers can accomplish several tasks at once. That gets more done in less time and saves energy--both personal and fuel.
• Kids may want to help out, which can be a useful way for them to deal with their feelings about your cancer and treatment. Let them choose age-appropriate chores. Try not to require that older children and teenagers take on added duties, but that may be a reality in your situation. Hold regular family meetings to help children and adults talk about what's going on in the household, including how chores may be affecting schoolwork or activities.
• Hire the help you need. Your spouse may plan on handling most of the household tasks while you're in treatment, but giving care and support may leave little physical or emotional energy for chores. Ask your neighbors for recommendations for local services or reliable people to help with yard work, housecleaning, dog-walking, child care, and more.