Caregiving for an elderly or ill loved one is a labor of love that can have plenty of rewards for both the caregiver and the care recipient. However, it also can come with some real costs. In fact, AARP estimates that family caregivers spend an average of 26% of their…more.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), there is growing evidence that diet, physical activity, and related factors can help some cancer survivors live longer, lower their risk of the cancer returning (or a new cancer developing), and limit some side effects of treatment. It can also lower their risk…more.
Caring for a loved one with a chronic illness can be stressful – physically, emotionally, and financially – and burnout among caregivers can be extremely high. Ruth Lippin, LCSW, JD, sees the deleterious effects of caregiver burnout all too often in her therapy practice in New York City. Anxiety and…more.
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, a team of medical professionals mobilizes to coordinate care. Depending on the diagnosis and treatment strategy, patients may be cared for by surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses, physical therapists, and other specialists providing hands-on care. In many cancer centers, patients also have access…more.
In our last edition, we introduced you to one of the unsung heroes of a cancer patient’s care team: the oncology pharmacist. In this edition of Real World Health Care, we’re shining the spotlight on another member of a patient’s professional care team: the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). RDNs are…more.
If you are a cancer patient receiving chemotherapy, do you know everyone on your care team? You probably know your medical oncologist well, and the nurse(s) in the infusion center. Perhaps you’re on a first name basis with the reception desk personnel and the technician who draws your blood. You…more.
Proper nutrition is crucial for everyone. Healthy foods fuel our bodies and minds, help us grow and thrive, and can even play a role in warding off disease. Unfortunately, millions of Americans don’t get proper nutrition because they are food insecure, meaning they can’t access or afford sufficient nutritious food.…more.
As the president of the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) in 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kashyap Patel, MD, was troubled by the significant health care disparities faced by racial and ethnic minorities. He started to investigate how where someone lives – down to their individual zip code…more.
Acting as a family caregiver can be a challenging, full-time job, and it can be even more challenging if you already have a full-time (or even part-time) job. The struggle is a common one: An estimated 60 percent of family caregivers are employed, and two-thirds have had to make some…more.
When you’re diagnosed with cancer, you may find yourself sorting through a lot of information — treatment schedules, medications, etc. — and it’s easy for questions about money to get overlooked. Even if financial questions are top of mind, we know that asking for help paying your housing, food, and…more.
