Caring for Someone with a Serious or Life Limiting Condition
Supporting and taking care of a loved one with a serious or life limiting condition can be extremely demanding and can place a heavy burden on the emotional and physical resources of partners, family members and friends. Getting reliable information is a really important way to help you feel more in control of your situation.
Information can make it easier to anticipate some of the difficulties you and the person you are caring for might face. It can also help you get the right support at the right time.
Below is a list of some of the major conditions that fall under the heading of serious or life limiting, each with links to local and national sources of support and information.
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Huntington’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Stroke
Cancer
Local Support Groups and Information
Cancer Information and Support Service at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury (run by Macmillan). Open Mon-Fri by appointment and drop in 9.30am – 4pm. Provides benefits advice, counselling, complementary therapies and runs user groups. Contact 01296 316954.
Aylesbury Lymphoma Support Group freephone helpline 0808 808 5555 (Mon-Thurs 9am-6pm; Fri 9am – 5pm); address PO Box 386, Aylesbury HP20 2GA. Web: www.lymphomas.org.uk
Breastfriends (Buckinghamshire) a support group that meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the home of a volunteer member (Aylesbury /Leighton Buzzard).
Contacts : Karen Southall 01296 66105
Paula Watson 01296 486468
Chiltern Chatterbox Club a hospital based support group for people with a laryngectomy; open to people not being treated at the hospital. Address: Speech and Language Therapy, Amersham Hospital, Whielden Street, Amersham HP7 0JD
Contact Michelle Holmes 01494 734415 (Mon & Tues); Sally Coade 01494 734415.
Chiltern Prostrate Cancer Support Group - information and support for men affected by prostrate cancer and their spouses, partners, Carers and friends. Area representatives organise local meetings throughout south Bucks.
Visit www.chilternsprostatecancersupportgroup.co.uk
Confidential helpline 0800 074 8383 (speak to a prostrate cancer specialist nurse)
The Sunflower Club - a group for lung cancer and mesothelioma patients and Carers. Meets alternate Tuesday 10am-12 noon at the Sunrise Cancer Unit, Wycombe Hospital. Contact Jill Mowforth on 01494 426231 or Hayley Adams 01296 315649.
Up Front – The Chiltern Breast Cancer Support Group - group for women who have breast cancer meets monthly at The Chiltern Hospital in Great Missenden.
Contact info@upfront.org.uk or visit www.upfront.org.uk
National Organisations
CancerBackup (now part of Macmillan Cancer Support)
Freephone helpline 0808 800 1234
The Cancerbackup web site at (www.cancerbackup.org.uk) is a comprehensive resource of up-to-date information, practical advice and support for cancer patients, their families and Carers. There is an excellent section on caring for someone who has cancer.
Cancer Journey
A signposting service for anyone affected by any kind of cancer. Helpline 0303 333 000 3 open 7 days a week 10am – 4pm. They have a comprehensive and useful website at www.thecancerjourney.org
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support aims to improve the lives of people affected by cancer. They provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support and campaign for better cancer care. Confidential helpline on 0808 808 2020; web site www.macmillan.org.uk
Hospice Information
Tel: 0870 903 3 903
This is an information service for both the public and health professionals. They hold details of palliative care services in the UK and worldwide which can be accessed through their helpline or their web site at www.hospiceinformation.info
Marie Curie Cancer Care
Freephone: 0800 716 416
Marie Curie nurses care for people with cancer and other life limiting illnesses. Their web site www.mariecurie.org.uk has details about the services they provide and how to access them. There is a range of downloadable leaflets and booklets about caring for someone at home.
Carers Bucks is not responsible for the content of external web sites.
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