The CINDY Program
When faced with the diagnosis of cancer there are many questions, emotions,
choices, decisions and challenges that arise for the patient and their
loved ones.
The Bertuch family experienced this first hand when their daughter, Cindy
Rosencrans, was diagnosed with breast cancer. They also discovered the
benefits of advanced planning and end-of-life care, when her disease was
identified as incurable. To assure that opportunities are available for
others from diagnosis to end-of-life, the CINDY Bertuch Rosencrans Life
Expressions Program was created as part of Lynn Cancer Institute’s
(LCI) support services. Regardless of the stage of the disease, each diagnosed
person and their family has individual personal needs and wants for the
present and future.
As an extension of the LCI support services, the CINDY Program meets the
emotional, personal, educational and logistical needs of an individual
and their family at all phases of diagnosis and treatment, with an emphasis
on supporting the end-of-life process. The CINDY Program also offers the
CLIMB® support group for children of cancer patients. The CLIMB program
is a component of the Lynn Cancer Institute’s HUGS (Helping U Get
Support) Program, which is a comprehensive effort to support children
and teens whose parents have cancer. For more information about CLIMB,
click here.
Care & Advanced Planning
Each patient needs to understand their possible future healthcare choices
and assure they’re relayed to their support and medical system.
The CINDY Program Social Worker assists with helping the patient explore
and identify their personal healthcare wants, communicate their choices
with their loved ones and medical team, and document the patient’s
plans and wishes for care.
Implementing Resources
Though a diagnosis of cancer can be scary, patients are not alone at LCI.
Multiple educational workshops, support groups, tools for advance directive
decision making and additional resources are available for present and
end-of-life care planning. The CINDY Program Social Worker assists patients
in identifying resources they may benefit from and how to participate in them.
Navigating the System
Often decisions need to be made and patients don’t know which way
to turn. When choices regarding treatment planning and end-of-life care
arise they can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. The CINDY Program
Social Worker assists patients in making decisions and preparing needed
forms such as Healthcare Surrogacy (appointed adults who are identified
to make decisions for patients when they can not) and Advance Directives.
Documenting Life Experiences
Cindy Rosencrans created a video to express her love and thoughts with
the family she was leaving behind. Her legacy was left forever and remains
a priceless gift for her loved ones.
Documenting life experiences can be a rewarding process for the patient
and a lifetime keepsake for those close to them. The CINDY Program Social
Worker will help patients capture the essence of their life and love for
themselves and others through workshops, support groups and expressive projects.
Your Unique Needs
Every individual and family is different. The CINDY Program Social Worker
helps patients identify their unique needs and receive support, including
informing and supporting the children in the process, guidance for what
is to come and assistance with the spouse’s and/or children’s
emotional needs. The patient and Social Worker partner together to explore
the challenges and needs of the family and make sure those needs get met
throughout the phases of illness.
Services are delivered through:
- Workshops / Training
- Support groups
- Linking to resources
- Planning assistance
- Education
- Legacy work
- Children’s support & counseling
For more information, please
click here or call
561.955.5265.
CINDY PROGRAM SOCIAL WORKER
ELSA RAYNOR, LCSW, CINDY Program Social Worker
Phone: 561.955.5265
Email:
Eraynor@brrh.com