American Brain Tumor Association ABTA Funds Caregiver Research and Education

(Geriatrics News and Information) Caring for a person living with a brain tumor can be frustrating and overwhelming often because of a lack of direction information and support Caregivers are often the forgotten piece of the brain tumor patients care and recovery process said ABTA Executive Director Naomi BerkowitzTo assist caregivers and ultimately patients ABTA recently funded three projects directed to helping caregivers 1 The gathering of pilot data about the psychological and physical effects of caring for a person with a brain tumor The data helped researchers at the University of Pittsburgh receive a 2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health NIH to study the mental and physical health of caregiversThis is groundbreaking research it will definitely document the tremendous difficulties facing caregivers said Berkowitz 2 The replication and distribution of the The Caregivers a new documentary produced by the University of California San Francisco UCSF Department of Neurological Surgery and their Osher Center for Integrative Medicine It was sent to 750 clinicians who treat brain tumor patients The documentary highlights the unique daytoday challenges of brain tumor patients family caregivers and their professional caregivers through four personal and poignant stories The DVD was accompanied by a Facilitators Guide Together they provide a training tool to be used for the next generation of physicians Caregivers and physicians ultimately share the same goal to optimally treat and care for the person living with a brain tumor said Berkowitz The Caregivers honestly and compassionately explores this complicated partnership and heightens awareness for improved communication and coordinated care3 The distribution of Orientation to Caregiving A Handbook for Family Caregivers of Patients with Brain Tumors to clinicians In addition the handbook is now available to caregivers on the ABTAs Web site wwwabtaorg The book by the same group at UCSF who produced the DVD is meant to assist caregivers in their arduous task of giving care All aspects of caregiving are covered These items along with new research will help pave the way for improved caregiver communication and resources said BerkowitzThe ABTA offers numerous caregiver resources at wwwabtaorg or by calling 8008862282 The ABTA offers Caring for Your Parents fact sheets Tips for Living and Coping a monthly ebulletin for patients and caregivers The Caring Column a monthly online column with caregiver tips and advice and Support Resources fact sheets Social workers are available Monday through Friday from 830 am to 5 pm Central Standard Time CST to answer questions and provide resource assistance counseling and supportFounded in 1973 the American Brain Tumor Association ABTA strives to eliminate brain tumors through research while meeting the needs of brain tumor patients and their families The ABTA provides 40 publications resource information and monthly email communications to help patients and families better understand a brain tumor diagnosis assist in making educated informed treatment choices and to ready them for survivorship More information is available at wwwabtaorg To contact ABTA email infoabtaorg or call 8008862282...