Oncology social workers can guide you through every step of the cancer journey
Dealing with cancer can be overwhelming for patients and families. On top of the fear and uncertainty, there are practical concerns that must be handled. Insurance, out-of-pocket costs, scheduling treatments, understanding treatments and their side effects, functioning while dealing with side effects, emotional strain – it all can be so draining. That’s where an oncology social worker comes in.
The oncology social worker is an advocate for patients and families. Oncology social workers understand the pitfalls, obstacles and difficulties people face throughout their cancer care journey.
“Having a social worker on your side can provide peace of mind, which is invaluable when dealing with the stress of a cancer diagnosis,” said Dr. Srilata Gundala, who operates the oncology practice, Hope and Healing Cancer Services, with locations in Hinsdale and Lombard.
“It can relieve a lot of stress knowing that an expert is making sure you’re dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s,” she said.
Srilata Gundala, MD
Oncology social workers can help you find financial assistance and deal with Social Security benefits. They can help you understand what costs are covered by insurance, and what is not. They can help you understand your diagnosis and treatments, which is vital when dealing with the ever-advancing and growing list of options available for cancer treatment. They can help find and enroll in local services to help with transportation or home care needs.
They can also provide vital assistance with all the decision-making a patient and family must do.
And, perhaps most importantly, the oncology social worker can provide the emotional support a patient and family may need to get through their cancer ordeal. The social worker can provide individual counseling. They can help teach you relaxation techniques. They can help you find support groups and any other local resources that can help.
Stress is a common and constant companion throughout the cancer journey. It can exacerbate the difficulty of dealing with cancer and impact both your mental and physical health. The oncology social worker understands that, and they understand the benefits of making sure the mental well-being of those going through cancer care is not ignored. A local resource available in Hinsdale is the Wellness House.
”At Wellness House, we understand the emotional turmoil that can accompany the cancer experience,” says Tasha Chasson, LSW, and Oncology Support Counselor at the Wellness House. “We provide a safe place through support groups and individual counseling to help everyone in the family process those emotions and strengthen resilience.”
Tasha Chasson, LSW, Oncology Support Counselor at Wellness House
Most people diagnosed with cancer are not experts in oncology, medical billing or survivorship. With an oncology social worker by your side, you don’t need to be because you can have an expert by your side guiding you every step of the way.
Written By: Ken Harris
Reviewed By: Srilata Gundala, MD
