Online Books > American College of Physicians Home Care Guide for Cancer

American College of Physicians Home Care Guide for Cancer

Edited by Peter S. Houts, Ph.D
Last Modified: November 1, 2001

This information was reprinted from the American College of Physicians Home Care Guide for Cancer: For Family and Friends Giving Care at Home.

Edited by Peter S. Houts, Ph.D

Associate Editors: Arthur M. Nezu, Phd, Christine Maguth Nezu, Ph.D., Julia A. Bucher, RN, PhD, OCN, and Allan Lipton, MD

Friends and family who provide care at home are in important part of the health care team, and they are most effective when given proper guidance from health professionals. Shorter hospitals stays and greater reliance on outpatient care for persons with cancer are shifting a significant part of medical care into the hands of family members and friends. To carry out these responsibilities, family caregivers need information and guidance from health professionals. More importantly, they need encouragement to become active problem solvers rather than passively seeking all solutions from health professionals.

Written for a broad audience, this easy to use book was designed for home caregivers, patients, support groups, and education programs. This 8 1/2 x 11 workbook features easy to read language and an index for quick reference.

Twenty-two plans for dealing with common physical, emotional, and social problems caused by cancer and cancer treatments include:

• Solving problems using the Home Care Guide for Cancer,

• Succeeding at caregiving

• Fever and infections

• Tiredness and fatigue

• Problems with appetite

• Problems with the mouth

• Nausea and vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Cancer pain

• Problems with veins

• Problems with bleeding

• Skin problems

• Hair loss

• Sexual problems

• Maintaining positive experiences

• Getting companionship and support from family and friends

• Problems getting information from medical staff

• Getting help from community agencies and volunteer groups

• Moving around the house

• Coordinating care from one treatment setting to another

• Coping with anxiety

• Coping with depression

• Index

The chapters on depression, positive experiences, and companionship published on OncoLink were taken from the American College of Physicians Home Care Guide for Cancer: For Family and Friends Giving Care at Home. For more information, or to order copies, contact ACP Customer Service at 800-523-1546, extension 2600 or 215-351-2600 (M-F, 9AM - 5PM ET) or write American College of Physicians, Customer Service Center, Independence Mall West, Sixth Street and Race, Philadelphia, PA 19106-1572. FAX 215-351-2799. Softcover, 276 pages. ISBN 0-943126-30-4. Product #0432

Coping with Depression

Maintaining Positive Experiences

Getting Companionship and Support from Family and Friends