Social Work Services

Cancer Care social work services are designed to maximize the patient's utilization of the health care system, foster coping and access to community resources in order to support optimal functioning.

The role of the social worker in Cancer Care is to offer guidance and counseling, and to assist patients and their loved ones with social and family issues that might include;

- Need for psychosocial support and patient advocacy
- Understanding and coping with changes in family and friend dynamics
- Facilitation of family meetings
- Communicating with children about cancer
- Discussions regarding advance care planning
- Evaluation of financial concerns with referrals to resources that may be available
- Assessment of supports to determine appropriate community resources that may be available
- Providing information and facilitating application process for long term care residences as needed
- Referrals to transportation services that may be available in your area
- Negotiating the complexities of the health care system
- Liaising with the medical team

Social work services are available to patients and families throughout all phases of the cancer continuum including, diagnosis treatment, post-treatment and palliative care.

Laura Delany
Social Worker
514-345-3511 ext; 3980