December 30, 2009
A recent study conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP found that nearly one in three Americans is a caregiver for a loved one. A majority of caregivers are female (66%) and the average age is 48 years old. Caregivers provide 20 hours on average of care per week and the average duration of caregiving lasts 4.6 years. The study also found that there is a substantial increase in the number of caregivers today as compared to 5 years ago (44.4 million vs. 65.7 million). Cancer was reported as one of the main reasons people need care and 31% of those who responded said that they were highly stressed by caregiving.
The good news is that caregivers are receiving more assistance than they were 5 years ago. This is important because 1 in 6 caregivers reported that providing care to a loved one negatively impacted their own health.
To support those caregiving for a loved one with cancer, CancerCare provides Caregiver Support Services, including counseling, support groups (including online), educational workshops and publications.
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Posted by jzahora
December 21, 2009
According to new survey results from the Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW), more than half of cancer patients reported that the costs related to cancer negatively impact their ability to focus on their recovery. Experiencing financial strain can also affect how the patient makes treatment decisions.
Other key findings include:
68% reported financial hardship due to medical bills
46% had to cut back on living expenses to pay for their treatment
40% said that they depleted their savings
30% reported having to deal with bill collectors
66% of patients who faced major financial challenges report suffering from depression/anxiety
These findings reinforce the need for patients and their loved ones to seek guidance and support. While patients reported experiencing significant stress, only 1/3 sought out the help of a social worker. It’s important to know that there are professionals who are experienced in navigating care systems and who can provide supportive counseling.
To speak with an oncology social worker, contact us at 1-800-813-4673.
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Posted by jzahora
December 14, 2009
The ancient Japanese tradition of senbazuru promises that a person who folds 1000 origami cranes will be granted a wish, such as long life or recovery from illness.
Boston-based Millennium Pharmaceuticals, owned by the Japanese pharmaceutical, The Takeda Company, recently launched a website honoring the senbazuru tradition, where people facing cancer–patients, caregivers, loved ones–can express their hopes and wishes for the New Year. Each message of hope posted at the site is represented by a bird-shaped paper figurine.
Millennium Pharmaceuticals is a funder of CancerCare’s Door to Door program, which provides financial assistance to cover transportation costs for people undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma.
Leave your wish at 1000 Cranes of Hope.com (the site is free but log-in registration is required). For every wish left at the site, Millennium will make a donation to a healthcare-related charity.
1 Comment | Caregiving, Coping with Cancer, Financial Assistance, Mind-Body-Spirit | Tagged: caregivers, coping, cost of care, Door to Door program, financial resources, multiple myeloma, transportation grants | Permalink
Posted by Jeanie M. Barnett
November 23, 2009
A new online resource from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) answers some important questions about seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu for cancer patients and survivors.
While cancer patients and survivors may not be at any greater risk for infection with either 2009 H1N1 flu or seasonal flu, the CDC cautions that cancer patients and survivors are at higher risk for hospitalization and potentially life-threatening complications from all types of flu.
The CDC recommends that people who have cancer or a history of cancer should receive a seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu shot (not the nasal spray vaccine). The seasonal flu vaccine alone is not expected to protect against 2009 H1N1 flu. Household members and caregivers of cancer patients and survivors also should be vaccinated against both types of flu.
Find out more at www.cdc.gov/cancer/flu
Leave a Comment » | Caregiving, Coping with Cancer, Survivorship | Tagged: cancer information, cancer patients, cancer survivors, caregivers | Permalink
Posted by Jeanie M. Barnett
November 18, 2009
How can I be “strong” and supportive with my spouse while continuing to cope with my own reactions to his diagnosis?…What if my child asks: “Is Mommy going to die?”…What is a healthcare proxy and living will?…How can we protect our family financially while being faced with expensive treatments for cancer?
Get answers to these and other questions in 100 Questions & Answers About Caring for Family or Friends with Cancer (2nd Ed., 2009). The book offers practical guidance for caregivers, family members and friends on how to deal with common concerns arising from a cancer diagnosis.
Co-authored by Richard T. Hara, Ph.D., MSSW, CancerCare’s director of online services, and Susannah L. Rose, MS, MSSW, the book is available from Barnes & Noble, which will donate a portion of the book sale to CancerCare when you link from our website and purchase it online.
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Posted by Jeanie M. Barnett
