The Wellness Community of Southwest Florida - Cancer Support Programs

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The Wellness Community of Southwest Florida

A luau at the Wellness Center

"Combining the will of the patient with the skill of the physician -- A powerful combination."

--Harold H. Benjamin, Ph.D. Founder of the TWC concept

The Wellness Community (TWC) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing free emotional support, education and hope for people affected by cancer. Through participation in professionally led support groups, educational workshops and mind/body programs utilizing the Patient Active Concept, people affected by cancer learn vital skills to regain control, reduce feelings of isolation and restore hope-regardless of the stage of disease. With 22 facilities nationwide, The Virtual Wellness Community on the Internet and international centers in Tel Aviv and Tokyo, The Wellness Community provides a home-like setting for people living with cancer and their loved ones to connect with and learn from each other. Most importantly, all programs at The Wellness Community are free of charge.

Here in our community, the Southwest Florida Wellness Community is growing by leaps and bounds. Our participant visits have increased an average of 20% year over year since opening in 1996 and our reach to cancer patients and their loved ones continues to extend beyond the Clark Road facility. This summer we opened our new location in Bradenton, at 410 4th Avenue East, just across the street from Manatee Memorial Hospital. We opened a satellite program offering on Longboat Key this past year and continue to provide services at satellite locations in Newtown and Venice. We are steadfastly committed to meeting the needs of cancer patients in these areas. Celebrating our eighth year in operation and serving more than 5,000 people affected by cancer, Southwest Florida's Wellness Community continues to provide its most sought after prescription - HOPE.

SUPPORT GROUPS FOR CANCER PATIENTS
Weekly, ongoing, professionally facilitated therapeutic support groups for people with cancer are the heart of our program. Wellness Community Support Groups are always professionally facilitated and adhere to the "Patient Active" concept model which combines the will of the patient with the skill of the physician. Support group participants explore new ways to deal with their disease and become part of an extended family offering support and encouragement. The underlying philosophy is that participants learn skills which enable them to take control of their situation and reduce fear and unwanted alones. In doing so, the vision is that cancer patients will at least improve the quality of their lives and may enhance their chances for recovery. Support groups meet for two hours each week.

SUPPORT GROUPS FOR CAREGIVERS, FRIENDS AND FAMILIES OF CANCER PATIENTS
Lead by Wellness Community facilitators, these groups meet weekly and focus on reducing stress through various skills, such as sharing ideas on supporting a loved one. Our community is unique in offering a consistent support program for people caring for loved ones. It recognizes that stress for the caregiver can be as difficult as it is for the patient.

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN
Our children's programs include support services for children whose parents have cancer (known as Kids Count, Too!), and, in partnership with Hospice of Southwest Florida, support for children whose parents have died from cancer (known as Walking the Dinosaur). Programs include individual and family counseling for parents and families, play therapy for children, and counseling for teenagers. All sessions are conducted by licensed therapists.

NETWORKING GROUPS
Monthly drop-in groups organized around a specific cancer diagnosis. Networking group participants share solutions to problems related to treatment for specific cancers such as breast or lung cancer. They are open to both patients and caregivers.

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING
Brief, problem focused counseling for cancer related issues for patients and caregivers. Services are provided by licensed therapists and advanced graduate student interns supervised by staff.

WORKSHOPS
Participatory learning opportunities and "Ask the Doctor" sessions offered by professionals on topics related to learning more about particular cancers, drug therapies, nutrition, mind-body connections, and other ways of fighting for recovery.

EXERCISE PROGRAMS
Classes led by qualified instructors who teach participants appropriate exercise and movement techniques to aid in their recovery including Yoga, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong.

MONTHLY LUNCHEON
Mainly for socialization, this meeting is often followed by a presentation on nutrition. The last Friday of each month a local restaurant provides a catered luncheon with a regular attendance of 50-60 people. It offers a chance to meet with participants from all of our many programs.

HORTICULTURAL THERAPY
This program, designed by a professional Horticultural Therapist, is for those who love flowers and plants, both outdoors (butterfly garden) and indoors. It is both a classic stress management activity and a newly evolving technique of general recovery from physical challenges.

MIND/BODY CONNECTION
Regularly scheduled discussions, professionally led, to explore how the immune system works, and the relationship between psychological factors and the general health. Learning about this fascinating connection can contribute to enhanced physical and psychological well-being.

COUPLES & CANCER
A discussion group formed to share experiences about the impact of cancer on relationships. Explore solutions, insights, and how to improve communication to fight cancer together.

Download the Complete Program Calendar
(75K PDF)

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PROGRAM IMPACTS 2004 SEASON

COUNSELING
1,716 hours of individual and group counseling sessions provided, FREE, to 922 people affected by cancer.

SUPPORT GROUPS
150 cancer patients and their loved ones find support, education and hope in weekly, two-hour Wellness Community Patient Active Support Groups facilitated by licensed professionals.

NETWORKING GROUPS
302 hours of professionally facilitated monthly networking group sessions provided to 250 cancer patients.

EDUCATION
1,008 individuals attended 169 hours of structured educational workshops covering a wide variety of cancer-related topics.

CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
43 hours of one to one individual counseling held with 22 children whose parents are battling or have lost their battle with cancer.

OUR PROGRAMS PRODUCE RESULTS
In our last comprehensive outcomes analysis, competed in February,2005, fully 100% of program participants report at least one meaningful outcome, and over 75% report at least five outcomes, as a result of participation in TWC services. The outcomes most commonly cited are:(1) decreased psychological stress (2) increased quality of life (3) increased access to cancer information (4) a better partnership with health care team and (5) a better attitude toward illness and treatment.