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Caring Beyond Cancer

Treating cancer involves procedures and protocols. Caring for a patient with cancer is much more than that—it means putting patients at the center of all that is done to support and guide them through their experiences. Augusta Health has developed an array of supportive services—all available through the Augusta Health Cancer Center—to allow patients not simply to survive, but to thrive, by caring for the whole person, not just the disease.

Augusta’s patient-centered care is comprehensive, compassionate, and coordinated.

These programs and services—focusing on the social, emotional, and spiritual as well as the physical needs—help ease the burden of a cancer diagnosis by providing innovative and individualized assistance that helps patients and families overcome barriers and regain or maintain a quality life.

Psychosocial Services—Social Workers and Support Groups

540-245-7105

Augusta Health’s Social Services Department understands that patients with cancer and their families have many needs such as transportation, short-term housing, or medication assistance. A full-time social worker is available weekdays during clinic hours to help patients and families with practical needs and emotional and financial issues.

A way to ease the stress of dealing with cancer—for a patient, caregiver, or family member—is to share the experience with others in the same situation. Augusta Health currently offers two support groups: Lean on Me for caregivers on Mondays from 4-5 pm and Friends Listening to Friends for newly diagnosed patients on Wednesdays from 4-5 pm. Both groups take place in the Augusta Health Cancer Center Conference Room.

 

Breast Health Navigation Program

540-332-5072

 

A diagnosis of breast cancer presents complicated decisions and overwhelming choices. It presents the need to coordinate appointments for diagnostic tests and treatments.  Patients often feel they need someone to help them navigate through this confusing health care maze. Breast Health Navigator Meg Shrader, RN, BSN, CBCN—who has been recognized with many honors in her field—is a dedicated oncology nurse who coordinates all aspects of care and serves as a single point-of-contact for patients from diagnosis through treatment. She is a resource for patients, families, and the community—during breast screening and through treatment and survivorship.

 

Medical Nutrition Therapy

540-332-5522

 

Patients with cancer have complex nutritional needs. Their metabolisms are altered, and their tumors compete for their body’s nutrients. They experience nausea, loss of appetite and mouth sores from treatments. Eating is no longer pleasurable. Oncology patients are at risk for malnutrition. All these issues mean patients and families have many questions about eating and proper nutrition. At Augusta Health, a board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition assesses all in-patient oncology patients and provides nutritional support through the use of diet, medical nutritional supplements, tube feeding, and/or parental nutrition.

 

Therapy Services at Lifetime Center

 

No one likes to feel dependent on others, so Augusta Health uses a team approach to therapy to make sure each patient with cancer remains as independent as possible. The therapists work together—creating individually designed programs combining services such as lymphedema therapy, energy conservation techniques, independent living skills, non-pharmaceutical pain control, strengthening exercises, and education—to help patients and survivors stay strong and achieve as “‘normal a life” as possible. The therapy team includes occupational therapists, physical therapists, recreation therapists, certified lymphedema therapists, and speech/language pathologists. Services are located in Augusta Health’s Therapy @ Lifetime Center, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Patient and Family Education

540-332-5960

 

They say “knowledge conquers fear.” The Augusta Health Cancer Center team builds on this concept by providing individualized education and information to patients and families based on cancer type, treatment, and possible side effects. This helps patients make more informed decisions and assume responsibility for their care. Augusta Health and the American Cancer Society (ACS) offer Cancer Resource Days three times each week in the center’s waiting area. An ACS volunteer is available to offer personal assistance to find the books, brochures, and DVDs patients seek and connect them with complementary services in the community.

 

Chaplaincy Program

 

Who couldn’t use someone to lean on or an ear to bend? Augusta Health volunteer chaplains are experienced clergy and members of the Augusta team. They are trained listeners, ready to provide confidential assistance to people of all faiths and backgrounds without judgment or pressure. They can offer prayer, presence, and consultation about specific religious practices and grief and loss support.

 

Healthy Lifestyles Program at Lifetime Fitness Center

 

Augusta Health’s Lifetime Fitness Center offers classes for people with chronic diseases and monitored medical programs to help patients overcome obstacles to reach fitness goals.

·       Personal, supervised land and water exercise programs help reduce symptoms of conditions like cancer.

·       Client Training Plus, one-on-one exercise with a “helping hand” for equipment set-up, helps individuals with medical conditions who cannot exercise on their own.

·       Tai Chi Movement Class for Cancer Recovery is a free class specifically for cancer patients.

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