By Ms. Dan Tam | Assistant Marketing Manager
The Hong Kong Cancer Fund understands the emotional difficulties that both a cancer patient and their family face when diagnosed with advanced stage cancer. We have a team of professionals including clinical psychologist, oncology nurses, dietician and social workers etc. who provide the much needed free support during and after this very traumatic time.
Case sharing:
Mr. Lam (Pseudonym) is 56 years old and was a caregiver. His younger sister (aged 52) had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer at stage 4 in April 2021 and he suffered from the stress of caring for her. He turned to the HKCF to seek our services for emotional support and community resources.
Mr. Lam was single and lived with his sister. Their relationship was very close. Mr. Lam was also the breadwinner of the family as their parents had died and they lacked social support. Before coming to the HKCF he lacked the end-of-life care knowledge nor any of the community resources support available in Hong Kong, He did not know what will happen for the end stage of a cancer patients. His initial distress level was 8/10. He believed that he could not take care of his sister well enough. He found our services through the internet and approached us for assistance and guidance.
Our social worker helped to make referrals for the family to Haven of Hope Christian Service— Hospice at Home as home care services are provided to educate the family about the caring tips; and under close nursing and personal care. Our Clinical Psychologist also provided Clinical Psychology Counseling Services to Mr. Lam to help cater for his emotional needs. His sister passed away peacefully at home which was her final wish. Mr. Lam showed great appreciation for our work for his family when they were confused and with little knowledge about how to care for a cancer patient.
We adopted a multi-disciplinary case management approach to support families with palliative care and end-of-life journey. Case assessments were conducted and advanced care plans were discussed with patients and their carers, facilitating them to prepare for a good death when in the advanced stage.
We receive no funding from the Government or the Community Chest and we rely on friends like you who share our vision and commitment so we can offer free professional services in this extremely challenging environment.
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