Psychosocial Support at LivingWell
There is growing evidence supporting the benefits of delivering effective psychosocial care to cancer patients and their families. A study from The Institute of Medicine (IOM), for example, outlines evidence supporting the importance of reducing the patient's suffering through cancer by addressing their psychosocial health care needs. The IOM outlines six key areas of psychosocial need of the cancer patient. These include:
- Understanding of illness, treatments and services
- Coping with the emotions surrounding the illness and its treatment
- Managing the illness and health
- Behavior change to minimize disease impact
- Managing disruptions in work, school and family life
- Financial assistance
Psychosocial Support at LivingWell
LivingWell Cancer Resource Center meets the diverse needs of cancer patients and their families living in the Tri-City area of Illinois and beyond. Through education, support and mind body fitness programs we are positioned to support the psychosocial needs of cancer patients and their families in each of the six key areas identified by the IOM study.
LivingWell Cancer Resource Center address the needs of participants who are coping with the emotions surrounding illness and treatment, managing the disruptions cancer makes to their daily lives, and working to modify behaviors that will minimize disease impact. These needs are addressed through participation in group support and individual counseling.
Group Support and Individual Counseling
LivingWell Cancer Resource Center provides participants and their families with several types of groups to support their needs as a result of their cancer experience. Groups known as networking groups meet monthly and provide participants with the opportunity to give and receive support as well as exchange information with others who have the same type of cancer. Weekly support groups address the needs participants have surrounding the emotional impact of their illness, the challenges of making behavior changes related to cancer and cancer treatment, and the opportunity to process the disruptions in their work, school and family lives.
Individual counseling is offered to participants on an as needed basis. Participants are able to work individually with a social worker from four to eight sessions based upon their need. When a participant first meets with a social worker, the worker assesses their needs and works with the participant to determine if their needs can first be met through the participation in group programs offered at the center. If their needs are cancer related and individual counseling is appropriate, they begin working with a social worker individually.