Online Books > Hospice/Homecare Family Caregiver Cancer Education Program

Resources

Introduction

• For many families, "information seeking" is an important coping strategy.
• Information can be obtained by doing library searches, calling special toll-free information numbers or accessing sources on the World Wide Web.

Assessment

• Before suggesting a source of information to families, it is important to determine:
• preferred learning style. Some people prefer print material, others learn better with visual or audio material
• literacy level
• language preference
• cultural issues (e.g. how are roles portrayed in educational materials? Are they congruent with lifestyle of the learner?)
• What does the family already know? How do they interpret this information?

Toll free information

• 1-800-PA-CANCER
  Information about cancer and cancer related resources in Pennsylvania
• 1-800-4CANCER
  Information about cancer, clinical trials, patient and public education
• 1-800-ACS-2345
  Information about cancer, patient services, resources, patient and public education
• COPELINE 1-800-577-3636
  Caregivers may call this telephone number and select brief tape recorded messages about caregiving from a menu of topics. Callers can also receive a free video and a copy of the book Homecare Guide for Caregivers. This service will be available until 6/30/98.
• Cancer Care Inc. 1-800-813-HOPE
  Information and support about coping with cancer for patients, caregivers, and health professionals
• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
  1-800-955-4572
  Provides support groups, information and education, and financial assistance for families and patients with lymphoma, leukemia, Hodgkin's disease and multiple myeloma
• American Brain Tumor Association
  800-886-2282
  Education, support and referrals for people with brain tumors
• American Foundation for Urologic Diseases
  800-828-7866
  Information on support for patients with prostate cancer and their families.
• Bone Marrow Transplant Family Support Network
  800-826-9376
• National Family Caregivers Association
  800-896-3650
• Wellness Community
  215-879-7733

Resources on the World Wide Web

FDA recommendations for evaluating the reliability of a web site:

1. Government or university run sites, without marketing, social or political agendas, are good sources for scientific and medical information
2. An editorial board should be available to review material, and respond to questions or requests for additional information
3. The site should link to other sources of medical information
4. The site should be updated on a regular basis
5. Informative graphics and multimedia files should be available to enhance the information
6. The site should offer information either without charge, or with good value for the fee

• CancerNet
  Produced by the International Cancer Information Center, NCI and the Office of Cancer Communications
• OncoLink
  The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
• American Cancer Society
  
• Cansearch
  Sponsored by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivors

Sources for Printed Information

• National Cancer Institute
  call 1-800-4CANCER to order
• American Cancer Society
  call 1-800 ACS 2345 to order
• National Hospice Organization
  call 1-800-658-8898
• Helping People Cope: A Guide for Families Facing Cancer published by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Cancer Control Program
  call 215-898-2131 to order multiple copies at no charge

Community Resources

Introduction

• It is very important for families and health care professionals to recognize that no one person can do everything. Yet, it is very difficult for some people to ask for or accept help. This can be for a variety of reasons: some of them cultural; some of them intrapersonal. When recommending a referral to an outside (the family) resource, be sensitive to how this recommendation will be received.

• Know the resources to which you are referring. Many community based resources change address, telephone number, eligibility requirements, service hours etc. Many community resources close without warning because of lack of funding or support. It is very discouraging to a family who musters up the courage to make a telephone call or visit to an agency only to find them closed or inaccessible for some reason. Similarly, the philosophy of an agency or service in the community may not be consistent with the values or desires of the patient and family.

• Some resources carry a stigma with them that may be unacceptable to some family members.

• When recommending an outside resource, be sure that your goals for the referral are congruent with the patient's and caregiver's goals. For example, you may feel that marital therapy is indicated, but the family may be unwilling to examine these issues at this time.

• Remember the importance of continuity of care. Within the bounds of confidentiality, facilitate communication among all agencies and resources that are involved with the family.

Strategies

• The social worker in your agency is an excellent source of information about identifying and accessing community resources. Project staff at the University of Pennsylvania have collected information about community resources for people with cancer and their families in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. This information is updated every six months. If you would like to receive a computer disk with this information, please contact Fran Barg at 215-898-2131. Other excellent sources of community resource information for families facing cancer can be obtained by calling the following:
  
  • 1-800-PA-CANCER
    Information about cancer and cancer related resources in Pennsylvania
  • 1-800-4CANCER
    Information about cancer, clinical trials, patient and public education
  • 1-800-ACS-2345
    Information about cancer, patient services, resources, patient and public education
  
  An additional good source of information is the blue pages section of the telephone book.

• We have put together a guide to general community resources that may be useful for families facing cancer in the Philadelphia area. It is not an exhaustive list, but it may be a start for families who require assistance that is not directly cancer related. Again, a trained social worker may be your best source of information.

A Guide to General Community Resources

Housing

• Public Housing
  An individual and/or family might qualify to rent public housing if they have a low income, and pass a police and credit check. The rent is based on a certain percentage of income. Public housing includes scattered site units (row houses) and apartment buildings (garden and high-rise) located throughout the city. There is a long waiting list for admission. Contact the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), 1401 Arch Street, 988-1453, for more information.

• Subsidized Housing
  This type of housing means that the government pays part of your rent or house purchase price. Some subsidized housing programs are:

  Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment Program
  This provides housing for families unable to afford such housing on their own. To qualify, an individual must be 18 or over, head of a household with one or more children, or a single person who is disabled. No more than 30% of gross household income is paid for rent. Housing may be chosen anywhere in Philadelphia, but PHA must approve the place and draw up the lease. PHA also gives an allowance for utilities. Call PHA at 988-2000 to apply.

  Philadelphia Housing Voucher Program
  This program provides rental assistance if you are homeless and living in a temporary shelter on a permanent basis because you have nowhere else to live. Call PHVP at 735-8624 to apply.

  Section 235 Program
  This program pays a percentage of your mortgage payments after you buy a house. The amount depends on your family size and income. Call Philadelphia Council for Community Advancement at 567-7803 to apply.

• Housing for Disabled People

  Some people who are physically disabled have special housing needs. Various programs, such as the HOME Grant Program, lend money to remodel the home and make it accessible. The following groups are some of the organizations that offer housing, education and referrals for disabled people:
  

  • City of Philadelphia
    Office of Housing and Community Development
    Home Grant Program
    1234 Market Street
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
    686-9376

  • Elwyn Institute
    Housing Information and Referral Center
    Home Adaptation Program
    4040 Market Street
    Philadelphia, Pa.19104
    895-5691

  • Housing Consortium for Disabled Individuals
    4040 Market Street
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19104
    895-5694/5695

  • Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation
    1234 Market Street, 10th Floor
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
    686-9341

• General Housing Information

  If you have any problems with your housing, the following agencies may be of assistance.

  • Fair Housing Commission
    728 City Hall Annex
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
    686-3238

  • Philadelphia Dept. of Licenses and Inspections
    Services and Complaints Section
    710 Municipal Building
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
    686-2463/2464/2465

  • Homeowners Association of Philadelphia
    406 S. 20th Street
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19146
    732-3055

Financial Assistance

• If an individual and/or family cannot support themselves, they may be eligible for public assistance, and/or food stamps. Contact your local County Board of Assistance or call 560-2547 to find out about eligibility for any of these programs.

• If an individual is disabled at any age or ready to retire, he/she may be eligible for SSI or for Social Security. To find out about eligibility for these programs contact your local Social Security Office at 1-800-772-1213. Locations of local offices in Philadelphia are listed below:
  
  • Downtown Office
    801 Arch Street
  • Germantown Office
    220 W. Chelten Avenue
  • Kensington Office
    1813 E. Hilton
  • Nicetown
    2929 N. Broad Street
  • Northeast Philadelphia
    7959 Bustleton Avenue
  • South Philadelphia
    1419 Oregon Avenue
  • Upper Darby
    67 Long Lane
  • West Philadelphia Office
    3901 Market Street, 2nd Floor
  • Woodland Office
    5616 Woodland Ave.
    729-7201

Adult Education and Employment

• Adult education includes help with securing a high school diploma through the GED program, standard night school, remedial classes, and continuing education. The following programs represent a sampling of what is available to adults in Philadelphia.
  
  • Barry Volunteer School Center (GED Program)
    59th and Race
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19139
    476-3611
  • The Center for Literacy
    3723 Chestnut Street
    (and other locations in the City)
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19104
    382-3700
  • Centers for Adult Learning
    Community College of Philadelphia
    1700 Spring Garden Street
    Philadelphia, Pa.19130
    (locations in West, South and North Philadelphia)
    751-8487/8531/8832
  • Community College of Philadelphia
    GED Program
    1700 Spring Garden Street
    Philadelphia, Pa.19130
    751-8376
  • Community Occupational Readiness and Placement Program
    1217 Samson Street
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
    592-8011
  • Delaware Valley School of Trades
    1210 Race Street
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
    586-1950 ext.36
  • Fifty-Ninth Street Baptist Church (GED Program)
    59th and Pine Street
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19143
    686-8652
  • Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center
    1231 N. Broad Street
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19122
    988-1424
  • School District of Philadelphia
    Adult and Continuing Education Division
    427 Monroe Street
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19147
    (Locations throughout the area)
    351-7018
  • Urban Education Foundation
    4601 Market Street
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19139
    476-4063
  • West Philadelphia Community Center for Human Services
    5901 Baltimore Ave.
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19143
    748-0711

  
  

• If an individual is searching for employment, the following organizations can be helpful.
  
  • Job Corps, Region III
    1920 Chestnut Street, Suite 100
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19103
    563-0566
  • Pennsylvania Dept. of Labor and Industry
    Office of Employment Security
    West Office
    5501 Chestnut Street
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19139
    560-3810
    
  • Private Industry Council
    One Suburban Station, Suite 1300
    1617 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19103
    567-5627
  • Urban League of Philadelphia
    4601 Market Street
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19104
    476-4040

Legal Assistance

• At times individuals need legal assistance. If someone needs general legal help, one of the following organizations may be helpful:
  
  • American Civil Liberties Union
    Bourse Building, Suite 680
    21 S. 5th Street
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19106
    592-1513
  • can P.L.A.N.
    cancer Patient Legal Advocacy Network
    Nancy T. Wimmer, Esq.
    PO Box 0245
    Merion, PA 19066
    610-668-4255
    610-668-4295 (fax)

  The services of a can P.L.A.N attorney or advocate are free if you are a cancer patient or the financially responsible party of a person who has been diagnosed with cancer. They can assist with questions regarding insurance, SSI, SSD, employment, discrimination, school issues for children with cancer, issues under the Americans With Disabilities Act, etc.
  

  • Community Legal Services
    Sylvania House
    1324 Locust Street
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
    893-5300
  • Divorce Center
    1324 Locust Street
    893-5300
  • Law Center North Central
    3638 North Broad Street
    227-2400
  • Law Center Northeast
    207 Kensington Avenue
    427-4850
  • Law Center South
    1226 South Broad Street
    271-2500
  • Law Center West
    5219 Chestnut Street
    471-2200
  • Philadelphia Bar Association
    Lawyer Referral and Information Service
    1101 Market Street
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
    238-1701
  • Philadelphia Urban Coalition
    121 N. Broad Street, 6th Floor
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
    977-2800
  • Public Interest Law Center
    1315 Walnut Street, Suite 11632
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
    735-7200
  • Women's Law Project
    125 S. 9th Street
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
    928-9801

Health

• Insurance
  Many employers offer medical coverage as part of their employee benefits. The employer pays all or some of the monthly payment, and the employee pays the rest. Insurance plans differ, so it is important to find out what medical expenses are covered, how much is paid, and for how long. Most plans require the employee to pay the first 25% of any claim. In an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), employees pay about $2 for each visit to the doctor and about $2.50 for prescriptions. HMO's stress preventive health care, such as regular check-ups. An individual can only go to doctors participating in the HMO.

  If you have a low income and no medical insurance you may qualify for Medical Assistance. This State Program pays for your medical expenses. The color of the insurance card (either blue or green) determines what types of benefits an individual is eligible for. An individual can only go to doctors and hospitals participating in the program. Apply at the local County Assistance Office or call this number for more information 560-2547. To apply an individual must bring a birth certificate or other I.D., Social Security card, wage stubs, if working, and other proofs of eligibility, such as medical bills.

  There is now in the State a special insurance program for children. BlueCHIP is a children's health insurance program that covers children who are not eligible for Medical Assistance and have no other health insurance. BlueCHIP pays for regular check-ups, sick visits, immunizations, emergency care, outpatient surgery, dental, vision, hearing and prescription drugs. In-patient care is covered in conjunction with Medical Assistance. Coverage for eligible children is provided on a first-come first -serve basis as funding is limited. A child's age and family income will determine whether he/she is eligible for free insurance or low-cost insurance. For detailed information and applications, contact 1-800-822-CHIP.

Every resident of Philadelphia can receive medical treatment in district health centers. They provide free or low cost medical services to any resident of the city. Once you have registered and had a physical exam, you can go to your health center when you are sick. You can register at the health center that is most convenient for you.

City Health Centers

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