Social workers provide confidential counselling, education, and information, and make referrals to other health professionals and community resources. The information and resources provided by social workers can be helpful in assisting you to address the immediate changes a cancer diagnosis can have on both you and your family lives. Social workers can also assist you to plan for the future and to manage the day to day challenges of living with cancer.
In the video above, Craig shares his experience of getting social support, and how it can change the way you care for yourself and your loved one.
Social Workers can help with the following:
- Explore your feelings and concerns regarding the diagnosis and the impact it is having on you and your family.
- Identify and support your feelings about grief, loss and changing relationships and roles within your family.
- Discuss and provide information about legal matters such as advance health directives, enduring guardianship, enduring power of attorney or enduring power of guardianship and wills.
- Refer you to in- home practical supports if you require assistance with meal preparation, home help, personal care for your friend or relative, respite for yourself, shopping assistance etc.
- Provide you with information about cancer community support services e.g. Cancer Council and other psychological services.
- Provide information and assistance with accommodation needs whether it be short term (respite care, crisis accommodation) or longer term options (social housing, residential care).
Social Workers can help with the following:
- Provide information about financial options i.e. income protection, superannuation and Centrelink eligibility.
- Advocate with the medical team to ensure you receive the information you need about the treatment your family member is receiving, and empowering you to help your friend or family member make informed decisions about their medical care.
- Refer you to either a psychologist or a psychiatrist with your agreement if more intensive therapy or counselling is required.
If you wish to speak to a social worker, ask a hospital staff member to refer you or to make an appointment.
“After Kelly’s diagnosis, I realised that it was not just emotional and health support that I needed to provide. Looking after Kelly and Margo has been a financial strain. We lost half of our household income because Kelly has been too unwell to return to work. We appreciate all that Kelly’s parents do, but w just couldn’t keep relying on friends and family. At one of Kelly’s appointments, I mentioned the tension between having to work and be with Kelly. The nurse made an appointment for us to talk with the social worker. So much support came out of just one appointment. We lined up some extra carer support and I receive some carer allowance which allowed me to cut down to 3 days of work. The social worker supported us emotionally but also helped with getting all the Centrelink forms. He also helped us to fill out an Advance Care Directive so that Kelly has a say in her treatment if it gets to a point where she cannot communicate her wishes…”