Patient Support

When you’re going through cancer, there are many ways you navigate the journey. At Genesis, we are here for you during every step of that journey. We are committed to helping you with education, nutrition and physical, emotional and spiritual support. That’s the true meaning of WrapAround Care. We envelop you and your family with the tools you need to fight the battle and return to a healthy life.

Education

We provide education to the community and our patients and your families, from prevention and diagnostics to treatment and survivorship. We reach out to the community at events and gatherings to educate you and your family on how to prevent cancer through screenings and lifestyle changes. We also discuss treatment options, side effects management and survivorship care.

13 Cancer Terms You Need to Know (Infographic)

Treating your mind, body, spirit and more

Cancer treatment is not just about surgery or chemotherapy, it’s also about treating the entire person. That includes your mind, body and spirit. We have a comprehensive team to help you, including:

  • Behavioral health services
  • Financial assistance
  • Hospice care
  • Nurse Navigators
  • Nutrition
  • Palliative care
  • Spiritual care
  • Support groups and classes

We also offer additional online resources about breast health, written by breast surgeons, for our patients.

Behavioral health

Your emotional and mental health plays a role in how you and your support team deal with cancer. We have behavioral health specialists available if you or your family need help coping with your diagnosis and treatment.

Financial assistance

Our Patient Financial Services staff can help determine benefits through your insurance, eligibility for insurance or financial assistance programs, medication assistance programs, transportation or housing assistance. If you or a loved one needs to stay overnight in Zanesville, you may qualify for a discounted rate at a local hotel.

Hospice care

Genesis Hospice has been providing care to the community for more than 30 years. We offer care wherever you call home, nursing facilities, Genesis Hospital and Genesis Morrison House. Our team includes board-certified physicians, nursing staff, home health aides, social workers, bereavement counselors, pastoral care staff and volunteers. We also offer music therapy, pet therapy, aroma therapy and Hospice clowns for visitation. We’re recognized as a Level 4 Hospice for our commitment to recognizing veterans through a pinning ceremony and our work with veterans in the community.

Nurse Navigators

If you are diagnosed with cancer, a cancer treatment program will be designed just for you. You will also be assigned a Nurse Navigator who meets with you throughout your treatment journey to guide you. Rely on your Navigator for help with:

Applying for financial aid and understanding insurance benefits
Communicating with the rest of your cancer team
Coordinating medical appointments
Discussing side effects of treatment or concerns
Taking advantage of support services and community resources
Understanding your condition and treatment options

Meet the caring nurse navigators you may work with in Cancer Services:

Annette Barr, BSN, RN, CGRN, OCN

Nurse Navigator
(740) 588-7815

Maggie Brydon, BSN, RN, OCN

Nurse Navigator
(740) 454-5232

Alicia Hunt, BSN, RN, OCN

Nurse Navigator
(740) 588-7816

Wendy Long, BSN, RN, OCN, CBHN

Nurse Navigator
(740) 586-6618

Nutrition

Good nutrition is key to healing, feeling good throughout treatment and beyond. You may find you have a decreased appetite from symptoms of cancer or from side effects of treatment. Our nurses and dietitians can educate you on how to manage your dietary needs. Other side effects you may experience include having a sore mouth or trouble swallowing, or food may taste bland. Our staff can discuss medications or diet modifications to help ease the symptoms. Maintaining good fluid intake is important for energy, maintaining blood pressure and flushing medications through your system. Our staff will guide you on what you should drink or avoid during treatment.

Palliative care

Genesis provides palliative care to offer symptom control for patients and their families dealing with serious illnesses. Palliative means comfort in Latin, and that’s exactly the goal of palliative care – to give comfort for patients with a chronic or serious illness. Palliative Care staff help patients deal with the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness like cancer.

Pet therapy

Our pet volunteers will bring a smile to your face. These specially trained dogs offer a distraction and lend a paw in times of need. Therapy dogs seem to have a positive effect on those individuals who love animals. In many cases the patient’s focus is momentarily diverted from their emotional and physical challenges of cancer treatment by focusing on the dog.

Chase Research has shown that when a patient interacts with a dog, the patient may realize a reduction of blood pressure, stress, anxiety, loneliness, depression and fear. Responses may also include increased awareness, communication and smiles. Dog visits offer physical and emotional benefits and may help the healing process along with your wellbeing.

Spiritual care

Serious illness and cancer often brings up feelings of anxiety and questions. Our compassionate spiritual care team offers guidance and emotional support, even if you don’t have a religious affiliation. Our spiritual care team is here to listen, offer words of comfort and encouragement, hold your hand, or offer a hug. Services our team offers includes:

  • Being an advocate
  • Crisis intervention
  • Cultural diversity training
  • Notifying churches and synagogues for patients if requested
  • No One Dies Alone (NODA)
  • Religious sacraments
  • Short-term individual counseling
  • Supply training for lay visitors

Support groups and classes

Support groups and classes offer you and your family encouragement and advice during your journey. We offer classes such as the Genesis Risk Intervention Program (GRIP) for exercise and strengthening after treatment.

Survivorship care plan

Depending on the type and stage of your cancer, you may receive a survivorship care plan. The care plan recommends ways to stay healthy and explains how often to schedule certain cancer screenings. You and your primary care doctor will also receive a treatment summary for your records.

Make an appointment

For an appointment or more information about the patient support our Cancer Care Center team provides, call (740) 454-5271 or toll-free 844-645-3433.

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