If the doctor or nurse tells you to do something other than what is recommended here, follow what they say. If you think that there may be a medical emergency, see When To Get Professional Help for Yourself. Understanding the Problem Problems with communication and confusion can cause both caregivers and the person with advanced cancer to become angry and frustrated. Sometimes, this even leads the patient to stop trying to communicate. Family caregivers may be tempted to give up as well, but they should understand that steps can be taken to cope with these problems.
Older patients are more likely to have trouble understanding what is happening and what they hear.
They often are weaker than younger patients, are worn down by their illness, and may have problems with their vision or hearing. At 65 years of age, about one in 20 people suffers from some problem in their ability to understand and to speak. Serious communication problems and mental confusion also can be caused by medication, changes in body chemistry, or the presence of cancer in the brain. Although very rare, seizures are another problem with normal brain functioning in the person with advanced cancer. When a seizure does occur, both caregivers and patients can become very frightened, so preparing in advance is wise, especially if the medical staff warns you that a seizure may happen.