Advance Directives

Advance Directives are written documents that allow your family, friends and health care providers to know your wishes for (and against) various types of medical care and who you would want to make decisions on your behalf, should you ever be unable to tell them yourself. While many people do not feel the need for or put off completing these documents, they do protect your right to make your own choices and allow your friends and family to feel comfortable that they know what kinds of care you do or do not want.

On July 1, 2007, a number of changes affecting Georgia’s laws on advance directives took effect. The Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care will no longer be options as advance directives in Georgia; instead, there is the Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care Act. However, any validly executed Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care created between March 28, 1986 and June 30, 2007 will remain valid until it is revoked. The Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care is an attempt to combine the best features of the Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care into one written document. An effort has also been made to make the execution (signing and witnessing) of this document easier and more convenient. The Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care has three parts: part one allows an agent to be appointed to carry out health care decisions, part two allows choices about withholding or withdrawing life support and accepting or refusing nutrition and/or hydration under certain circumstances, and part three allows one to nominate someone to be appointed as Guardian if a court determines that a guardian is necessary.

If one chooses to complete a Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care, it will replace any other advance directive for health care, durable power of attorney for health care, health care proxy, or living will that currently is in place. If you have Advance Directives, please provide us with a copy for your medical record and make sure to discuss your wishes with your family. Updating your advance directives routinely will help health care providers and family know that you have thought carefully about your choices. If you would like to complete a Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care, your oncology social worker can provide additional information and forms are available at all of our offices.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Complementary therapies are used together with conventional medicine. Alternative therapies are used in place of conventional medicine. These therapies are numerous and diverse. It is very important that any patient who is considering complementary or alternative therapy first discuss this decision with their physician or nurse as they would any therapeutic approach. Some of these therapies may actually interfere with standard treatment or may even be harmful when used in combination with conventional treatment. It is also a good idea to become well informed about the therapy that you are considering, including whether the results of scientific studies support the claims that are made for the therapy. The National Cancer Institute website includes information regarding complementary and alternative therapies.

Home Health and Hospice

Atlanta Cancer Care employs a full-time nurse who coordinates referrals for home health and hospice care. She will coordinate all of your home health, hospice and durable medical equipment (DME) needs. The Home Health/Hospice Coordinator can be reached at 404-851-2389.

Nutritional Support

Sometimes patients feel challenged to maintain optimal nutrition and food intake when facing cancer and its treatment.  Other times, patients simply want to know which foods are or are not a good idea while going through cancer treatment.  After cancer treatment some patients want or need to adjust their diet to regain or maintain good health.  For all these reasons Atlanta Cancer Care offers nutrition counseling.

Numerous studies have shown that patients tolerate cancer treatment more easily when they are well-nourished and well-hydrated.  Understanding more about what is and isn’t helpful nutritionally, can help patients feel more in control of their disease and treatment.  Our nurses and doctors provide initial education about some of the ins and outs of nutrition during cancer treatment.  Also, our staff networks closely with nutrition programs in the community and can refer you to educational programs or to a registered dietitian for one-on-one consultations as needed.

Pain Management

A common fear of those diagnosed with cancer or blood disorders is a fear of being in pain and/or not being able to control pain. Some patients also worry that they will become addicted to pain medication. The physicians and staff at Atlanta Cancer Care are skilled in pain management and dedicated to helping you enjoy the highest, most pain-free quality of life possible. Cancer pain can be controlled.

Many treatments are available for pain, and the treatment prescribed depends on the nature of the pain and the patient's medical history. Because pain is a subjective experience, it is crucial that you talk honestly with your treatment team (your doctor, nurses, medical assistants, social worker, and others) about the degree and nature of your pain as well as what you have found eases or worsens the pain. Treatments may include narcotic or other analgesic medications, relaxation, counseling, massage, and, in some cases, other more involved therapies.

Social Work Services

A cancer diagnosis and the challenges that a treatment regimen presents can elicit a wide-range of emotions, concerns and practical needs. When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it seems everyone is focused—and rightly so—on the person’s physical well-being: treatment, side-effects, doctor’s visits and tests. However, we know that there are other parts of life affected by cancer: emotional health, self-image, relationships, employment, finances, and one’s daily approach to living (these are referred to as the “psychosocial” aspects of cancer). Finding ways to adjust to the circumstances and cope with your emotions in a healthy way is absolutely essential. The word “coping” is frequently used to describe how people deal with their cancer situation. People sometimes mistakenly think that coping means just living with a problem, whether or not you like it. But coping actually means managing a problem and findings ways to take control of it. You can’t control the fact that you or a loved one has cancer, but you can control how you react to and live with cancer. Psychosocial problems and needs, whether simple or complex, may change during the cancer journey.

Atlanta Cancer Care embraces a “treating the whole person” philosophy and is committed to offering comprehensive services that promote physical and emotional well-being. Oncology social workers can provide counseling, education, advocacy, health-system navigation, information and linkage to community resources. Atlanta Cancer Care employs master’s level oncology social workers to help patients and their loved ones optimally manage the emotional, social, financial and lifestyle changes associated with cancer and its treatment. Our oncology social workers can assist patients and families in accessing, understanding and/or locating help with: counseling and psychotherapy services, support groups, mind-body programs, spiritual care, educational and financial resources, prescription assistance, entitlement programs, county aging services, transportation, and other services designed to address practical and emotional needs.

To contact one of our oncology social workers, please call:

Phone: (404) 731-1876   Conyers, Perimeter [Tower}, & Stockbridge offices
Phone: (404) 695-0966   Cumming, Decatur, Johns Creek & Roswell offices

Financial Counseling

Atlanta Cancer Care employs financial counselors who, together with the rest of the treatment team, assists patients and families with obtaining access to programs and funding for medical treatment. If you do not have medical insurance or have inadequate insurance there may be programs and payment plans available to help with medical care. Please contact the financial counselors at (404) 851-2362 for details regarding financial assistance.