Numerous resources available at a national and local level to help. From individual consultations to group counseling, support groups, educational workshops, publications, and referrals, you can find knowledgeable and educated guides to help you understand your disease, evaluate treatment options and support your pscychosocial needs. Listed below are a few national resources. Check with your local Department on Aging or Public Health office for local programs.
Cancer Support Network has 52 locations, including CSC and Gilda’s Club centers, that support cancer patients sand families through the emotional, psychological, and financial realities of the cancer journey.
https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/find-location-near-you
Caring for a loved one with a life-altering illness is not easy. It is something most of us are not prepared to do as we face new responsibilities and unfamiliar tasks. Caregiving can involve decisionmaking, organizing daily activites and insurance paperwork, making a home safe and enhancing the quality of your loved one’s life. Resources are available to help and guide you so that you don’t feel like you have to go on this journey alone.
The National Associaiton of Hospice and Palliative Care provides information and practical tips for managing the responsibilities of being a caregiver while also taking care of your physical and mental health.
https://www.nhpco.org/patients-and-caregivers/caregiving/caring-for-the-caregiver/
Grief is the natural response to loss of someone who held a special place in our life. Each person experiences grief differently, even within a family. The emotional response to loss, grief also has physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, cultural, spiritual and philosophical dimensions. The following resources may help as you process the loss of your loved one.
Dr. David Kessler—an expert on grief and the coauthor with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross of the iconic On Grief and Grieving—journeys beyond the classic five stages to discover a sixth stage: meaning. Dr. Kessler has a number of other books available on grief.
Dr. Kessler was interviewed by TED on the topic of grief and loss. Click here to listen to his interview. http://bit.ly/KesslerMay11TED
Empathy, available for both iOS and Android, guides and supports you along your journey of loss, supports you in understanding and processing your grief as well as providing the tools you need to navigate and prioritize every task associted with the passing of your loved one.
Search the App Store or Google Play to download.
Join Kelly Grosklags, LICSW and producer Jeffrey Cloninger for uplifting conversations, helping you transform grief and loss into channels for insight, healing and peace.
Listen and subscribe at Conversations with Kelly on Apple Podcasts
Grief is hard. Getting good grief support doesn’t have to be. Grief Coach will text you personalized support, all year long. If your friends want to help, but aren’t sure how, Grief Coach text them tips and reminders too.
Explore Grief Coach at https://grief.coach/