Enhancing the social well-being of family caregivers

Objectives: To provide an overview of key issues and resources useful for oncology professionals to support the social well-being of patients and their families. A caregiver narrative highlights examples of the importance of addressing the social impact of illness.

Data sources: Review of the literature and Web sites related to social well-being of oncology patients and families.

Conclusion: Culture influences social well-being and impacts caregiving across the life span. Coping with cancer creates a myriad of social implications with potentially significant impacts on communication; sexuality, intimacy and sexual expression; education, finances, work, and leisure.

Implications for nursing practice: Nurses spend the greatest amount of time with patients and their families and therefore have an especially important role in identifying and addressing social needs. An interdisciplinary approach to care that includes the assessment of those at high risk and family meetings increases opportunities to address the complex multidimensional social concerns associated with oncology care.