|
Patient and family services
Cancer Resource Center (CRC)
“Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.” John Muir
The Cancer Resource Center of Mercy Hospital provides information and
support to individuals, family members and providers who are concerned about cancer.
This is a place to gain knowledge and to experience support.
The CRC features a healing environment with soft lighting, natural colors, water elements
and comfortable seating. Open to everyone who needs a moment of peace, the CRC is staffed by caring, compassionate volunteers who are willing to talk and share cancer resources.
Mercy Hospital: 763-236-6060
Purpose:
The Cancer Resource Center offers visitors opportunities to regain control, self-esteem and
hope for the future through the power of information and the warmth of human compassion and support.
Staff:
The CRC is staffed by volunteers, many of them cancer survivors, who create a warm, caring atmosphere.
An advisory council of physicians, nurses, cancer survivors, social workers and community representatives
review overall direction, philosophy and acquisitions for the center.
Hours:
The CRC is generally open weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, due to volunteer staff availability, it is best to call ahead.
Services:
Information/resources – cancer related information and resources available on a variety of topics and local services:
- Books
- Audiotapes/CDs
- Brochures
- Videotapes
- Internet resources
- Inspiration/coping
- Free wigs/scarves/protheses
- Integrated therapy
- Transportation
- Financial
- Community resources
Appointments – one-on-one appointments with area professionals to discuss individual cancers or questions regarding cancer care:
- Counselors – individual family issues
- Attorneys – legal issues/employment issues
- Clinicians – medical concerns/treatment
- Chaplains – spiritual/living wills/loss
Therapies for stress reduction/relaxation – integrated therapy sessions with local volunteer professionals promoting stress reduction and relaxation:
Support groups and education classes for patients and families – group meetings and classes on cancer-related topics led by trained facilitators and educators:
- Ovarian
- Breast
- Prostate
- Cancer and the family
- General cancer
- Look good, feel better
- Community forums
- Renewing life
Programs at the Cancer Resource Center are offered FREE of charge or at a minimal cost.
CaringBridge
CaringBridge is a non-profit organization that helps patients in need of support,
love and encouragement. CaringBridge provides free, secure personalized Web
pages designed to notify family and friends of news and information about loved
ones.
Families write journal entries and load pictures, providing updated information
for their caring community. Visitors respond by sending messages of support
and encouragement. This two-way communication allows loved ones to remain connected.
Nothing can replace the true presence of family and friends during life-changing
events. But sometimes distance, time and finances limit the ability to provide
in-person support. CaringBridge allows friends and family to be there for their
loved one, even when it is not physically possible.
Creating and using a CaringBridge Web page is simple, requiring only basic computer
skills. Anyone can use this service by going to www.caringbridge.org
and following the simple directions. To protect your privacy, CaringBridge
Web pages are not available through Internet search engines.
Patient and family counseling
Professional resources are available to address the lifestyle changes, problems
and fears facing cancer patients and their loved ones. Referrals can be made
to our own chaplains and social workers or to professionals in the community.
Home health care
Skilled nursing care, home health aides, homemaker services, intravenous care
and social services can be provided in the home, contributing to a patient’s
comfort and independence.
Hospice
Hospice services provide holistic care to patients facing a limited life expectancy.
The emphasis of the program is on comfort while allowing patients to remain
in the familiar surroundings and comfort of their own home.
Family and patient lounges and overnight accommodations
Our oncology medical stations have a family lounge. Arrangements can be made
for a loved one to stay in a patient room overnight. A list of nearby motels
and restaurants is also available at the information desk of our hospitals.
Neighbors Caring for Neighbors
This is a program that offers community businesses the opportunity to support our neighbors with cancer. It expands our bodywork services by referring visitors to community businesses committed to volunteering allotted times to cancer patients. This is a free referral service only and is not offered in the Cancer Resource Center.
Neighbors Caring for Neighbors services are only offered at participating community business locations – no affiliation with Mercy Hospital.
How it works:
Practitioners donate appointments to the Neighbors Caring for Neighbors program. The Cancer Resource Center then coordinates and matches you to local participating bodywork businesses. Subject to availability, we will match you with up to three different bodywork businesses, each of whom will offer you up to four sessions to be used within a three month period.
After we have referred you to an open practitioner, it is your responsibility to make these appointments directly with them and to cancel when you are unable to make a scheduled appointment. You will have the opportunity to continue to see these practitioners as a paying client when concluding the allotted, free appointments, but there is no obligation to do so.
Who is eligible?
Visitors are screened through the Cancer Resource Center and are only eligible if they have been diagnosed with cancer (or a new recurring cancer) within the last year.
Are there requirements of the practitioner and visitor?
Yes. Practitioners must apply for the program and are interviewed through the CRC. They may not accept tips, gifts or money for their allotted CRC slots.
Visitors are required to sign a liability release before seeing a program practitioner.
The success of this program relies entirely on the generosity of our local businesses who have volunteered their services.
Contact: Sandy Herrala, Coordinator Oncology Support Services, 763-236-4699
|
Print
Send to a Friend