Carers Group

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=120 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <B>Carers Group</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#336699" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B> </B></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar"><U><B><U>Calendar</U></B></U></A><A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar"><U><B> </B></U></A><B>  |   </B><A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Carers Group"><U><B><U>Carers Group</U></B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Group Guidelines"><U><B>Group Guidelines</B></U></A><B>   |  </B><A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Library"><U><B> </B></U></A><A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Library"><U><B><U>Library</U></B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Current Newsletters"><U><B><U>Current Newsletters</U></B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Archived Newsletters"><U><B><U>Archived Newsletters</U></B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B><U>Pamphlets</U></B><B>  |  </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Northern Beaches Prostate Cancer Support"><U><B><U>Hom</U></B></U></A><B><U>e</U></B><B>  </B><B> </B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=360 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f8dfc3.jpg"> <div> 1.    Why care for Carers? When a woman's partner reveals the fact that he has been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, it is as though some one has turned out the lights and she is left groping in the dark. To begin with, the focus is, rightly, on the patient but as time goes by, as the man has to make decisions about treatment, and the treatment and recuperation take place, it's necessary to turn attention on the role and condition of the carers.</div> <bR> <div> There seems to be a tacit assumption by doctors that carers become semi-professionals overnight; but they are just not equipped for this role. Caring carries a considerable emotional and physical load. The carer needs support in order not to become ill and no longer able to look after the sufferer. Carers need some place to land and rest from time to time to enable them to carry on carrying the load.</div> <bR> <div> So a Carers' Group is an opportunity for its Members, to support each other; a chance to share experiences so that you feel better about your own load. Through the Group's activities, a carer can gain and exchange information about Prostate Cancer and also about caring for yourself. Sometimes you can feel you are facing a brick wall, looking for a door to the other side, - and a key to open it. Some of the issues related to self-care include:</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c002a00f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Sleep disturbance due to emotional or physical pressure; this can be handled by a sleep therapist, or through alternative therapies such      as aroma, massage or relaxation/meditation therapies.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c002a00f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Adequate and appropriate leisure activities.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c002a00f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Proper communication.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c002a00f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Proper diet and nutrition for yourself, as well as the person you care for.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c002a00f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Care methods advice, such as input from a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or an incontinence adviser.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c002a00f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Advice and assistance in relation to finance and employment.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c002a00f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Advice in relation to sex and intimacy matters.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c002a00f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Information on resources available to carers.</div> <bR> <div> 2.  The Group's aims and objectives:</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c002a00f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">To share knowledge and experiences as carers of men with Prostate Cancer;</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c002a00f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">To support each other in the role of carers of men with Prostate Cancer;</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c002a00f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">To gain and share knowledge of what to expect as the carer of a man with Prostate Cancer; and to help each other deal with the emotional aspects of caring for a Prostate Cancer sufferer.</div> <bR> <div> 3.   Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every second (even numbered) month at 6.30 pm in the Palliative Care Cottage at Mona Vale Hospital.</div> <bR> <div> 4.   Some topics for discussion:</div> <bR> <div>       Information concerning Prostate Cancer<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div>       Relations with other Cancer Carers' Groups<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div>       Coping strategies<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div>       Emotional and spiritual needs<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div>       Agencies available for Carers.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div>       Problem-solving (identifying and solving problems)<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div>       Identifying resources<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>