The Aloesea Caregiver Program at Hospice by the Sea, Inc. and the Lynn Cancer Institute (LCI) at Boca Raton Community Hospital are collaborating on an innovative pilot program to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and family caregivers. The program builds upon existing services at LCI and includes complementary therapies, self-care education, caregiver skills training, and caregiver support groups.
The overall goal of the program is to promote spiritual, physical, and emotional wellness for patients and caregivers. It is anticipated that quality of life will be improved for both patients and caregivers as a result of participating in the program. The Lynn Cancer Institute currently offers an array of cancer support groups as well as Tai Chi, Massage Therapy and Guided Imagery for cancer patients and their caregivers. Through this collaborative project, the Aloesea Caregiver Program will enhance the current LCI services by providing Reiki, Healing Touch, Yoga, and Drum Circle on site at LCI for patients and their caregivers to promote relaxation and improve symptoms. Additionally, the Aloesea Caregiver Program will offer Caregiver Comfort Circle support groups at0 LCI to bring caregivers together to share experiences, gain new knowledge, attain understanding of the importance of taking time to care for oneself, and learn self-care techniques. Caregivers will receive printed materials and an instructional DVD, “A Lifeline for Caregivers,” demonstrating the essential techniques of caring for a loved one at home. Learning these skills can decrease caregiver stress and reduce the risk of physical injury. The six-month project has been funded by a $10,000 grant from the Boca Raton Community Hospital Foundation which will provide three groups of up to 20 patients and their caregivers with 12 hours of no-cost services for two months. Participating patients and caregivers complete questionnaires to evaluate how the program offerings have impacted their physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness and overall quality of life. The first group of families began participating in early November at Lynn Cancer Institute in Boca Raton. Cancer patients and their caregivers receiving services from Lynn Cancer Institute are eligible to participate.
