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Reconnection in a Post-Covid World: Leveraging Social and Peer Support for Young Adults with Cancer
Psycho-Oncology ; 32(Supplement 1):50-51, 2023.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-2299456
ABSTRACT
Background/

Purpose:

Young adults with cancer (YAs), ages 18-39, often feel "stuck" they do not identify with children in pediatric clinics, nor older adults in medical oncology. YAs have unique psychosocial challenges that create significant disruptions. At a stage where peers are the primary social support, YAs express feelings of isolation and yearning for normalcy, especially on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic. To combat this isolation, social programs are only offered to patients under age 18, leaving a gap in YA support. Without opportunities to connect with others who understand similar experiences, YAs lose essential access to informal peer support that could drastically shape their coping. Method(s) The Young Adult Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute planned and implemented two in-person social events to connect the YA community outside of hospital walls. Event 1 Patients with metastatic cancer were invited with one guest to attend an MLB baseball game in a private suite. Event 2 Patients were invited with one guest to attend an outdoor fall Block Party *at a local food hall. Each attendee received a favor bag of items to encourage emotional well-being. Access barriers were lowered by covering costs of food/ beverage, parking, and offering handicap accessibility options. Result(s) Attendance at both events exceeded expectations, with 15 individuals (8 patients, 7 caregivers) at event 1 and 74 individuals (42 patients, 32 caregivers) at event 2. Some YAs decided to attend alone, signifying a strong desire to connect with others outside existing social circles. Inviting caregivers provided the experience of meeting other caregivers and normalized cancer's impact on the family. Post-event comments included "I never knew there were so many YAs";"We were so happy to meet other wonderful examples of strength! It really comforted us so much.thank you for helping us cope!";"Everyone was so relaxed and happy". Conclusions and Implications These programmatic events highlight the benefit of social opportunities for YAs and caregivers. Spending time together in-person outside of the medical setting allows YAs to build meaningful connections and reduce loneliness. Future endeavors for YAs ought to acknowledge the gaps for this age group by implementing programs that meet YAs where they are in their life stage and cancer experience.
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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Topics: Long Covid Language: English Journal: Psycho-Oncology Year: 2023 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Topics: Long Covid Language: English Journal: Psycho-Oncology Year: 2023 Document Type: Article