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Patient support services

At Geisinger, we understand that your healing and recovery process involves more than just medicinal treatment. The strength you need to fight cancer depends on your emotional and spiritual well being as much as your physical condition. We offer several programs to provide spiritual, emotional and mental support you may need to get through this difficult time.

Support groups

Geisinger offers access to support groups for cancer patients, their loved ones and caregivers. Meeting other people with similar experiences can provide immense relief and comfort. Trained professionals lead educational sessions, informal group discussions, special events and social gatherings. Support groups are offered for overall cancer care and specific types of cancers like:

  • Blood cancers
  • Breast cancer

The Geisinger Community Calendar also has up-to-date information about support groups for people living with cancer.

Pain management

Debilitating pain should not be part of a cancer diagnosis. The Geisinger Interventional Pain Management Clinic is available to accurately diagnose and treat pain in an outpatient setting when conventional treatments are not effective. Services are provided on a referral basis from a primary care provider or other treating physician, and are generally covered by insurance companies.  Patients should speak with their doctor about any pain they experience.

Home care services

Patients fighting cancer may require home-based services including skilled nursing, home care aids, physical therapy or social services, among others.  Geisinger HomeCare provides round-the-clock care for patients in several counties. To learn more about the services provided, please call 888.634.6715 (Central PA) or 800.531.3068 (Eastern PA).

Hospice

Quality of life matters, particularly for patients facing a terminal illness. For those who wish to live out their final days at home, Hospice care is available to provide comfort and pain relief measures, as well as companionship and assistance. Services are available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. For more information, call 1.888.634.6715 or 570.271.5598.

Cosmetics

Experts agree that a patient’s outlook can play a role in their fight against cancer.  So if cancer treatments leave you or someone you know feeling upset about appearance, it is important to get help.  Geisinger Cancer Services can provide a referral to community vendors who offer an array of cosmetic services including wigs, scarves, prosthetics and more.  And, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, we offer the Look Good, Feel Better program. The program offers a two hour, hands-on group session that includes a make-up application lesson and demonstrations of options for dealing with hair loss. The program also provides self-help kits for men or women, simply call 800.395.LOOK to obtain a kit.

Emotional and spiritual support

Many patients need to understand their disease in a larger spiritual context to gain hope and courage to recover. Our spiritual care center provides patients with access to chaplains and chaplain assistants; these men and women are available to patients, family members and staff of any faith for spiritual guidance.  Specially trained in clinical spiritual care, employees and volunteers of the Spiritual Care Center can counsel you or get you in contact with the spiritual advisor of your choice. Contact 570.271.3700 for more information.

Dealing with cancer can put a strain on a patient’s mental energy. It can also be difficult for family members and caregivers who may have difficulty understanding what their loved ones are going through. If you are depressed or have difficulty sleeping it is important to communicate this with a member of your healthcare team.  A referral for you and/or your family to a professional counselor may be beneficial. 

Lodging

The House of Care provides low-cost lodging on campus near Geisinger Medical Center in Danville for adult cancer patients and their families. Guests enjoy private bedrooms and comfortable social areas as well as access to a full kitchen, dining room and laundry. Complementary shuttle service is available to and from the medical center. For information, call 570.271.8600.

The Ronald McDonald House, also located on the Geisinger Danville campus, provides a home-away-from-home environment for families of hospitalized children being treated for serious illnesses. For information, call 570.271.6300.

Palliative medicine/bereavement

Palliative medicine focuses on helping the patient, family and caregivers confront and manage quality of life issues. We treat the special medical needs of terminally ill patients and help encourage communication between patients and their families and caregivers. 

For families and friends who have lost a loved one, Geisinger offers a Bereavement Support Group. The group provides valued support and education about the grieving process.

Additional support programs and resources may be available. Talk with a member of your healthcare team about your specific needs, so that they can help you resolve any issues that may be interfering with your cancer treatment.