You may be someone or know someone such as a loved one or a friend who was recently in cancer treatment, or recovery in a hospital or cancer center in downtown, Toronto. Doing something nice and supporting them can uplift patient morale and speed up recovery time. Everyday little things like cleaning, doing the laundry, walking their dog, or any other house chore can begin to slip through the cracks as they take time to rest, and they may find it difficult to ask family members or friends to help them through their difficult time.

If you are looking for a way to make a family member or friend, feel more comfortable during their time in treatment or recovery small acts of kindness can go a long way. Below are going to be 8 things to keep in mind and do while caring for a cancer patient.

#1 Take Care of Everyday House Chores

Little things like house chores such as mopping, sweeping, cleaning the windows, mowing or shoveling the front lawn, garden, collect mail, and doing the laundry can begin to pile as your loved one returns home from treatment or hospital visit. Help them out with some of the household chores, whether it be a couple of times or once a week they are sure to appreciate a clean-living space.

#2 Run Errands

Just like household chores, errands can become difficult to do or they may not have time to get to it in their busy schedule. You can help by dropping by the grocery market to buy some household goods and buy fresh produce and meats to cook up homemade meals for them to pack to work or bring with you when you visit the hospital. There is even a convenient Wholefoods located right next to Avalon Suites Yorkville.

#3 Make Homemade Meals

After running some errands and buying groceries to pack their friend for their return, you can also prep a homemade meal or some soup they can warm up after a long day, or for you to bring when you visit. Hospital food is never the same as a home-cooked one and finding some comfort food may be just what they need after cancer treatment. Think of a favorite meal they enjoy and make sure it is safe to bring following hospital food safety rules.

#4 Watch Their Kids

Having a kid is a full-time job itself and if you know the mother or father is going through cancer treatment, offer to watch their kids a couple of hours a week, carpool them to and from school, or invite them for a sleepover with your kids. This will ensure the kids are looked after while they are getting through cancer recovery and it takes a huge load off their back.

#5 Travel to Spend Quality Time

If your family one or friend is currently in a hospital, they are most likely bored out of their minds and very lonely. If you are thinking about visiting them in a hospital in the downtown Toronto area, stay with Avalon Suites Yorkville. Avalon Suites is only a 10-minute walking distance to major hospitals and cancer centers in the city or a short uber or transit. You can be as close to them as you please and help them in their recovery process.

Learn more about spending quality time with a loved one in a Toronto Cancer Center or hospital with our Everything to Know about Long-term Medical stays in Suites Near Toronto blog.

#6 Gift Box

Visiting a loved one or friend in the hospital soon? Don’t want to just bring a card and flowers? We got you, gifts can make patients feel happier knowing you thought about them and can give them something good to start off the day. You can do gifts for 7 days of the week, an item in their wish list, or some gift cards for shopping or a staycation after their treatment.

#7 Take Them Out

If your family member or friend has been inside the 4 falls of a hospital room for the duration of their cancer treatment, they may be sick and tired of the same out views out their window. Take your special someone out for a nice meal such as dinner at their favorite restaurant, shopping for new clothes the next time they need to spend the night, or a cottage outing if they want some peace and quiet with nature.

We also offer a guide on local restaurants in the Yorkville Bloor area you should take your loved one or friend to.

#8 Be a Listening Ear

Being a friend offering a listening ear can be the most meaningful gift you give someone while they are on their cancer treatment or recovery journey. While being sick and stuck in a hospital room patients become impatient, stressed, angry, afraid, and lonely. Be the one they are comfortable with to vent, rant, get something off their chest or talk about everyday things with; they just need to know you are there for them as they ride out this storm.

Interested in reading up and learning more about caring for someone in medical treatment in downtown Toronto? Look for our blog Everything to Know About Long-Term Medical Stay in Suites near Toronto.

Avalon Suites Yorkville

If you are looking to stay in the downtown Toronto area to look after or visit a loved one or friend currently in a nearby hospital, come stay with us at Avalon Suites Yorkville! All our premium suites at Avalon are fully furnished with a fully equipped kitchen and all the amenities you need. We even have a washer/dryer in all our suites. With all these features, staying in any of our suites will make you feel at home.

We have smart TVs in every room and free fast Wi-Fi so it's perfect for you to virtually visit friends and family in your suite. You will also have access to the fitness center and gym, conference space, and concierge service. Feeling hungry or want to explore? Avalon is in Yorkville, a perfect neighborhood to check out dining experiences, and local attractions.

To learn more, visit us on our website or call us at 416.731.1372.