Helping Cancer Patients Transition to the 'New Normal'

GBMC’s Oncology Support Services team consists of two experienced social workers, a patient resource navigator, a community outreach coordinator, and a survivorship coordinator.

Through their familiarity and expertise with a world of available services, our team may make it possible to access a range of assistance programs such as:

• Financial Assistance Through Independent Non-profit Organizations
• Pharmaceutical Company Financial Assistance Programs
• Referrals to Support Groups
• Home Care
• Hospice
• Palliative Care
• Patient Education Materials
• Social Security Disability
• Transportation Programs
• Complementary Therapies (such as massage or acupuncture)

We offer counseling to patients, their caregivers, and their families to help in dealing with emotional strains. We offer access to support groups to help our patients deal with depression and uncertainty about the future, and we offer a variety of options to help with financial issues associated with cancer treatments.

Our Patient Resource Navigator is available to help patients and their loved ones access and utilize resources available to help cope with, and overcome, logistical barriers to treatment.

Once an individual completes cancer treatments and transitions into a “new normal” life, there can potentially be new issues to face that can impact quality of life. Survivorship Services are also available to offer programs and resources to address specific issues facing cancer survivors after they complete their treatments.

GBMC’s Boutique Salon and Wellness Center provides image recovery services in private rooms to meet emotional and aesthetic needs. It carries wigs, prosthetics, clothing, corrective make-up, and skin care products and offers services that include styling and make-up application techniques. Patients may also attend one of our Look Good, Feel Better sessions (made possible in part by the American Cancer Society). This program helps women who are undergoing cancer treatment to cope with appearance-related side effects of treatment (including hair loss and changes in complexion and fingernails) and to regain a sense of self-confidence.