Our Stories
53-Year Old Cancer Survivor and Mother
After surviving an initial bout of cancer, a 53-year mother of a school-age child was prescribed essential medications to prevent the recurrence of the deadly disease. Subsequently, as she began to lose interest in life, a behavioral health specialist diagnosed her with acute depression. As a result, a psychiatrist further prescribed anti-depressants that seemed to worsen her depression.
Unable to help her troubled daughter who was falling behind in school, she elected to discontinue all medicines.
Objective
The Care Alliance Comprehensive Care Coordinator helped identify the following goals to improve the subject’s situation:
- Develop a care plan that will continue to prevent remission of cancer without accompanying depression
- Improve her mental condition
- Provide support to help the daughter achieve better educational results
Impact of Care Alliance’s Comprehensive Care Coordination
Collaborating closely with the subject, the Care Coordinator defined an alternate plan to manage the issue by:
- Making a referral to the Cancer House of Hope
- Encouraging the subject to continue to meet with the Behavioral Health specialist
- Develop a positive attitude through support groups and a meditative and comforting lifestyle through yoga, reiki, and massage. With an improved mental state, the individual would be able to assist her daughter more effectively.
Positive Results
Additionally, she has secured tutoring for her daughter to help improve her scholastics and attitude toward school.
The Care Alliance of Western Massachusetts is happy to answer all your care coordination questions. Please call us at 413-538-9020 for more information or fill out the Contact Us form below.
Care Alliance of Western Massachusetts works with residents of Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire, and Franklin Counties. We also provide services to residents of Athol, Petersham, Phillipston, and Royalston in Worcester County.
