My husband has lost a lot of weight and now finds it very uncomfortable sitting on the sofa, and much prefers staying in bed. Can you recommend something I can put on the sofa that would help him.
My husband has lost a lot of weight and now finds it very uncomfortable sitting on the sofa, and much prefers staying in bed. Can you recommend something I can put on the sofa that would help him.
Dear Mercer
Thank you for contacting our Online community. My name is Lindsey and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.
I see that you are a member of the Carers forum. I hope this has been helpful for you.
It is difficult to judge from your message exactly how things are with your husband or what is causing the problems he is having. Rather than suggesting something that may not be the right thing, the best course of action would be to get an assessment from the District Nurse. If you don’t already have a District nurse visiting, contact your GP surgery. The District Nurse is best placed to assess your husband’s problems and suggest what would be most appropriate for him.
The nurse might recommend help from an Occupational Therapist (OT) who works in social services based in your local council. They can look at how your husband is managing and make suggestions and arrange practical changes that make it easier for your husband to cope. Hopefully you will already getting the help and support that you need. But if you need more help for your husband, social services can provide a needs assessment. If you are the main carer for your husband, you can also ask social services for an assessment to find out what might be helpful to support you. This is called a carers assessment.
If your husband has not already seen a doctor about his weight loss and discomfort, or his problems are getting worse, he could get advice from his GP. It may be appropriate for his GP to refer him for help from a Dietician. You might find some useful information in our booklets Eating problems and cancer and The Building up diet.
Although I did not directly answer your question Mercer, I hope that some of this information is useful and points you in the right direction.
kind regards,
Lindsey
Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.
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