In this post Valerie McGregor, advocate at KPAIS (Knowsley Pensioners Advocacy Information Service), tells us why it’s important that every older person affected by cancer has access to advocacy support if they want it, even those with family and friends around them:
I have recently had the pleasure of supporting a lovely lady who I shall refer to as Jane. Jane self referred into our service when she felt that she needed someone to talk to outside of her family. Although Jane has a very loving and caring family and who are supporting her through her cancer experience, she didn’t want to burden them as they didn’t want to talk about practical matters arising from her diagnosis and prognosis.
Our first telephone conversation was about practical issues like benefits and how we could support her with form filling and making a claim, as well as information on other services which could offer practical support. I visited Jane at home to do her form and we had a long chat about everything that was important to her and what she wanted. Jane had said how nice it was to discuss matters without burdening her family.
Jane was very optimistic about her illness and the options available to her, but unfortunately Jane wasn’t able to have the surgery that was first discussed. As a result she now wants to put her affairs in order and generally wanted to talk about how she felt about what was happening to her, and what support we could offer her with general practicalities.
Jane has expressed her sincere thanks for the practical and emotional support we provided and how having a Cancer. Older People and Advocacy advocate has helped her to stay independent and in control, and asked that I stay in touch with her and visit her frequently just to have a chat and a cup of tea.
Valerie McGregor, KPAIS
Older People Living with Cancer 