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The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Patient and Family Services

Caregivers Video Series: Walking on Eggshells

Patients and their loved ones often experience feelings of shock and disbelief when they learn that they have a life-limiting disease. Individuals are busy going about their normal, everyday lives, when they are blindsided with this information and nothing will ever be the same again. In the video series, “Walking On Eggshells”, clinical social worker Amy Sales, a trained grief counselor with over twenty years of experience, creates a caregivers guide to practical, real life direction on what to do and what to say when faced with these words.

More information can be found in Amy Sales' book, now available in a paperback and Kindle edition at Amazon.com. 

Segment One: Finding your voice

This segment discusses the missed opportunities that caregivers experience due to fear of not knowing what to say or saying the wrong thing. Further, it will educate them on how to find their voice of caregiver, partner and advocate.

Segment Two: Who To Tell What and When

Knowing who to tell what and when can be very confusing and complicated. This segment will provide direction on how and when to share information with employers, family, children and friends.

Segment Three: Preparing for Medical Appointments

This segment will help prepare caregivers for present and future medical appointments. Further, caregivers will be taught how to find their voice of advocate in the mist of maneuvering through what can be a complex medical system.

Segment Four: Finances

This segment discusses the importance of communicating with employers, and the range of financial concerns that may be faced when dealing with illness. A brief overview of state-specific benefits programs are also addressed.

Segment Five: Taking Care of Yourself

Too often, caregivers place their needs to the side and experience “burn out.” This segment will teach caregivers how to achieve a healthy balance between their needs and those around them.

Segment Six: Preparing for Hospitalizations

This segment normalizes the feelings associated with having to be in the hospital and provides practical advice on how to make this difficult time more bearable. Further, the caregiver will learn simple, yet profound ways to act as advocate and gatekeeper.

Segment Seven: Preparing for End Of Life

This segment tackles the difficult and painful questions associated with end of life and will offer coping strategies, and what options of care are available.

Segment Eight: Picking Up the Pieces After Your Loved One Dies

Caregivers are often faced with feelings of grief, anger, and confusion after a loved one dies. This segment will help to normalize these feelings, prepare them for the unexpected, and review sources of support.

Segment Nine: Talking To Your Children

Talking to children about a parent's illness can be scary and overwhelming. This segment emphasizes the importance of initiating and maintaining communication with children. Further, it will provide practical, yet simple examples of difficult conversations.

Segment Ten: Preparing Children for the Loss of a Loved One

This segment emphasizes the emotional needs that children have when a parent is approaching end of life. Furthermore, it will provide support to the caregiver, and answer difficult questions that parents are faced with during their interactions with children. Common questions such as,”whether children should attend funerals” are discussed, along with many others.

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