Sources of Help Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre. Cancer Patient Education

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1 Sources of Help Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre Cancer Patient Education

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3 Table of Contents Introduction...1 Disclaimer...1 Accommodations...2 Canadian Cancer Society...2 Caregiver Support...3 Child Care...4 Counselling and Support...4 Education...5 Help with Finances...6 Sources of Food...10 Hair Loss and Appearance...11 Help in the Home...12 Enhancing Quality of Life...13 Additional Community Resources...14 Medical Equipment and Supplies...14 Medical and Health Coverage...15 Transportation and Parking...15 Other Important Sources of Help...16

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5 Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre Sources of Help for People with Cancer Introduction At Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre (MEYCC), we treat your cancer and offer many services to support you and your family during your cancer treatments. However, we are not able to provide support for all of the special needs that you may have. This booklet lists many outside sources of help from the government, community organizations and businesses that may be helpful to you. This is by no means a complete listing of all available options. We welcome input on your experiences and your suggestions for updating this resource. Disclaimer The staff at MEYCC is providing you with this information as a courtesy. We do not endorse any of the community organizations or businesses, as we cannot fully determine their quality, benefit, and safety. 1

6 Accommodations The best place to stay when coming to MEYCC is the Best Western Inn or the Travelodge Hotel. These hotels offer a special rate to our patients. To get this special rate you must let them know you are receiving treatment at the MEYCC. For information on their rates or to book a room, call Best Western Inn at or the Travelodge Hotel at Canadian Cancer Society The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is an organization that works to eliminate cancer and improve the quality of life of people living with cancer. The society provides funding for cancer research and offers practical, emotional and financial support to all Canadians living with cancer. See below for a list of CCS services and contact information. You can also contact the local branch of the CCS at or Service Cancer Information Service Cancer Information Service is a free national service available to cancer patients, their families and caregivers. Information Specialists answer your questions about cancer by mail, or on the phone. They also help to connect you with other types of support. Service is available throughout Canada in English and French. Cancer Connection Cancer Connection is a support network that offers peer-to-peer support to cancer patients and their caregivers. You can talk with caregivers or current and former patients with your same type of cancer. Financial Assistance Program Offers money to cover transportation costs for patients who travel to another city for their cancer treatment. To qualify, you must fill out a financial need assessment form. Contact Information [email protected] ext 2 Website: Community Engagement Coordinator:

7 Service Compassionate Financial Assistance Program Offers financial help to families who have a family member who is palliative. Volunteer Drivers If you are staying in Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary or Lethbridge and receiving treatment, you can call the Volunteer Drivers Program to request free transportation to and from the Cancer Centre. Call a few days before you travel. Contact Information Community Engagement Coordinator: Calgary & Lethbridge: Edmonton & Red Deer: Caregiver Support Caregivers are those who are working hard to take care of people with cancer, or other health issues. Caring for someone with cancer can be difficult. There is support that can help provide relief for caregivers. Alberta Caregivers Association This organization provides support for persons who provide unpaid care for a loved one living with a disability, illness or aging. The organization offers information, education, support, and advocacy for caregivers and help caregivers to connect with others. For more information on the Alberta Caregivers Association, please visit 3

8 Home Care Alberta Health Services provides home care support for those who want to remain safe and independent in their own homes. Home care support can connect you to many services you may need. For more information on home care, please visit or call Child Care Childcare Subsidy Alberta Supports is a government department that offers funds to help low-income families get professional childcare services. Families must qualify for this subsidy and the rates will be different for each family. For more details, visit their website at financial-support/15669.html or call Counselling and Support Medicine Hat Mental Health Services A variety of services is provided for patients and their families. For more information call Margery E. Yuill Social Worker The MEYCC social worker can provide counselling and support services to patients and their caregivers. For a referral, please call TBCC Psychosocial and Spiritual Resources Program The Tom Baker Cancer Centre Psychosocial and Spiritual Resources Program in Calgary has psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers to help you with your emotional and practical needs. They offer counselling, classes and support groups for patients and their families. For more information, pick up a Counselling and Support brochure from one of the pamphlet racks or call You can also visit their website at 4

9 Education Tom Baker Cancer Library Knowledge Centre A group of volunteers located at the TBCC supports the Cancer Library Knowledge Centre. This centre supports patients who receive treatments from any cancer centre located in Southern Alberta. The centre has a library with information on cancer for patients and their families. For more information on the patient education sessions offered or to register for a session, please call Patient Education Specialist Patient Education Specialists work with cancer experts to develop education for patients. In addition, they organize education sessions for patients on different types of cancer every year. To get information on upcoming sessions for Calgary and surrounding areas please call Cancer Information Service Cancer Information Service is a free national service available to cancer patients, their families and caregivers. Information Specialists answer questions about cancer by mail, or on the phone. They also help to connect you with other types of support. Service is available throughout Canada in English and French. You can contact the Cancer Information Service by sending an to [email protected] or you can call

10 Recommended Websites on Cancer Topics Organization Alberta Health Services CancerControl Canadian Cancer Society BC Cancer Agency CancerBridges (website on surviving cancer) American Cancer Society Oncolink People Living with Cancer Website Help with Finances MEYCC Social Worker The Cancer Centre social worker can provide you with information on financial assistance you may be able to get. For a referral, please call The social worker at TBCC may also be able to help with financial issues. Please call Alberta Adult Health Benefit The Alberta Adult Health Benefit program supports low income Albertans by paying for prescription drugs and other medical supplies. This service may help pay for health services that are not covered by Alberta Health Care. To get more information on Alberta Adult Health Benefit, call or visit their website at 6

11 Alberta Government Help The Government of Alberta provides a number of programs and services to support seniors in Alberta. For more information on benefits including Retirement Benefits, Canada Pension Plan, Widow s Pension Program, Survivor Benefits and others, visit Alberta Works Alberta Works provides financial help to Albertans who do not have the resources to meet their basic needs. If you cannot work because of chronic health problems or other problems, you may qualify for income support. For more information, call or visit their website at Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) The Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program provides financial support to adults who are disabled. For information on this program, call or visit their website at Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP Disability) The Canada Pension Plan disability benefit provides support for people who have a long-term disability and have contributed to the plan. For more information on this benefit, call or visit their website at Canadian Cancer Society Financial Assistance Program This program offers support to cover transportation costs and a place to stay for people who travel to and from Cancer Centres in Alberta for treatments. To find out if you qualify for this support call or visit 7

12 Children s Pension Children s Pension is a government financial assistance program that provides a monthly pension to the dependent children of a disabled or deceased contributor to the Canada Pension Plan. For details on how to apply for this benefit call or visit sc/cpp/childrenpension.shtml. Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefit This is a government financial assistance program that provides 6 weeks of benefits for people who need to take time off work to care for a family member who is not expected to live long. For details on this program call or visit compassionate.shtml. Employment Insurance Medical Benefits Employment Insurance Medical Benefits (EI) provides benefits for a certain number of weeks for people who have contributed to the program. To find out if you qualify for this benefit, call or visit their website at 8

13 Old Age Security (OAS) Old Age Security (OAS) is a government program that provides a monthly income to most people, 65 years of age or older, who live in Canada. For information on this program, or to find out if you qualify call or visit their website at pensions/oas/pension/index.shtml. Special Needs Assistance This Alberta government program provides financial assistance to low-income seniors who have no other sources of income. For more information on this program, call or (toll free) or visit Veterans Affairs Veterans Affairs Canada offers a wide range of services and benefits to qualified veterans, Canadian Forces members, some members of the RCMP, and certain civilians and their families. For more information on the services and benefits offered call or visit Survivor s Allowance The Survivor s Allowance is a monthly benefit for widows or widowers of a legal or common law marriage who have little or no other income. You must be 60 to 64 years of age and have lived in Canada for a certain period of time to qualify. Call or visit gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/oas/allowance-survivor.shtml. Other Financial Assistance for Seniors For more detailed information on services for seniors who live in Alberta visit seniors.html. Service Canada Benefits and Services For general information on Service Canada benefits or for help in accessing benefits, call

14 Sources of Food Meals on Wheels Meals on Wheels is an organization that prepares and delivers meals for seniors and housebound residents. For more information on this service in Medicine Hat, call Clinical Dietician For information on nutrition, call the clinical dietician at Tom Baker Cancer Centre Nutrition Department The Nutrition Department at the TBCC also provides support to patients who receive care in Medicine Hat. For more information, call

15 Hair Loss and Appearance Look Good Feel Better Look Good Feel Better is a special program designed to boost the confidence of women with cancer. This free 2 hour workshop is hosted by the Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association Foundation. Each woman receives a free kit of cosmetic products and learns simple make-up tips to manage their appearance-related side effects. Women also receive tips on hair and headwear techniques. These sessions are held in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat. To register or get more information on the program, call or or visit Medicine Hat Wig Bank Volunteer Service supplying donated wigs for cancer patient use on a loan basis. Phone Jane for an appointment at One Beauty Academy and please reference you Cancer Centre ID number. Canadian Cancer Society Wig Bank The Wig Bank lends you new and used wigs, head coverings and other accessories to use while you are dealing with cancer. There is no fee to this service. For information on this service, call or visit 11

16 Help in the Home Home Care Program The Home Care Program provides medical and non-medical support for patients. Services include nursing, physiotherapy and personal care services. To learn more about how home care can help you, please call or visit If you already have home care services and would like to make changes to your services in your home, please call

17 Enhancing Quality of Life Palliative Care helps people who have a progressive cancer that cannot be cured, live in comfort and with dignity. It ensures that loved ones die as peaceful and comfortable as possible. When possible, the patient may choose the location of his or her care. The focus is to help people fulfill their wishes for quality of life and to support families with caregiving and the loss of a loved one. Palliative Care Palliative Care provides healthcare services to palliative patients. Healthcare is provided by a team of specially trained nurses and other healthcare professionals with the help of a doctor. For information on palliative care services offered by Alberta Health Services, call or visit Alberta Hospice Palliative Care Association The Alberta Hospice Palliative Care Association provides a list of resources and services specific to palliative care. They can help you locate resources in your community. For more information call or visit Canadian Virtual Hospice The Canadian Virtual Hospice has on-line information and support on palliative and end-of-life care, loss and grief. A team of experts can answer your questions about life-threatening illness and loss. For more information go to 13

18 Additional Community Resources Medicine Hat Spiritual/Ministerial Hospital Chaplain: ext.1823 Tom Baker Cancer Centre Spiritual Care: Medical Equipment and Supplies Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) Alberta Aids to Daily Living helps Albertans with a long- term disability, chronic illness or terminal illness. They give financial assistance to buy medical equipment and supplies, including home oxygen. You will need a medical assessment to determine what equipment and supplies you can receive. For more information call or visit aids-to-daily-living.html. Canadian Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) This program gives short-term loans of basic medical equipment to those recovering from surgery or injury or having problems moving on their own. To get this service, you will need a referral from a healthcare professional. For more information on this service call or visit Rehabilitation Services Service Contact Information Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy Respiratory Therapy Speech Pathology Pain and Symptom Management at CCI Diabetes and Chronic Disease Management Wellspring Edmonton

19 Medical and Health Coverage Alberta Health and Wellness Provides extra health coverage for special needs and end-of-life care. Call or visit Alberta Blue Cross Non-Group Coverage If you are under 65 and don t have insurance to cover the cost of prescription drugs, we recommend that you apply for this coverage. Persons who are 65 or older are automatically covered for prescription drugs in Alberta. For more information on Alberta Blue Cross Non-Group Coverage, visit Alberta Blue Cross Palliative Care Drug Coverage This insurance plan covers most of the costs for prescription drugs for those who are dealing with a terminal illness. For information on how to qualify for this plan, visit drugs-palliative-care.html or call Transportation and Parking Family Community Support Services (FCSS) Volunteer Driver The FCSS has volunteers that may offer free transportation for cancer patients to and from the Cancer Centre for treatments. To find out if your FCSS offers this service call Canadian Cancer Society Volunteer Driver Program If you are staying in Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary or Lethbridge and receiving treatment, you can call the Volunteer Drivers Program to request free transportation to and from the Cancer Centre. Call a few days before you travel. Calgary & Lethbridge: Edmonton & Red Deer:

20 Other Important Sources of Help Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) Young Adult Cancer Canada is an organization that connects, supports and provides resources for young adults dealing with cancer. YACC provides opportunities for young adults living with cancer to connect through an online forum and retreats. For more information on their services and supports call (toll free) or or visit HealthLink Alberta Health Link Alberta provides health advice and information to all Albertans. You can call 24 hours, 7 days a week and talk to experienced, registered nurses and other healthcare professionals. Anyone in Alberta with a health question or concern can call: 811 or visit Please send changes to: [email protected] 16