The Missing Piece in Chronic Medical Treatments
Rain of Light was founded after one father saw firsthand just how difficult it was for his son, who is battling cancer, to get the mental and emotional support he needed. As both treatment and disease progressed, the father realized there was a “missing piece” in the treatment of chronic illnesses. Doctors and nurses could deal with the physical disease, but couldn’t help with the inevitable psychological side effects of long-term hospitalization.
Today, our mission is to help the same kinds of patients get the help they desperately need. In a world where there are so many worthy causes that need assistance, you might be wondering what makes our organization and mission special. So, in today’s post we are going to explain what the missing piece in long-term healthcare looks like.
Let’s start with the first thing you realize when you or a loved one receives a serious or life-threatening diagnosis…
Brochures Can’t Help You Figure Out What’s Next
Imagine that you have just received the worst news of your life and are trying to process it. Now imagine living with that fear and dread for months from the inside of a hospital room. There aren’t any brochures that would help you make sense of those feelings or figure out how to move forward. And yet, that’s what most patients and their families receive.
When your life is completely upended, you need a trained professional to talk to. That’s why we work to provide long-term patients with therapists who can help them through this critical phase of life.
Access to Mental Health Support Is Very Limited
The need for mental and emotional support during long-term hospitalization isn’t a secret. Caregivers and administrators wish they could do more, but don’t have the time or budgets to get the help that would make a difference.
For that reason, most hospitals don’t offer adequate psychological support for those who are seriously ill. The few programs that do exist all have very long waiting times. That means patients can’t talk to anyone who can help when they need it most.
Families Get Even Less Than Patients Do
As difficult as it is for patients to deal with emotional issues on their own, it can be even harder for young children and their parents. But once again, resources are extraordinarily limited. In fact, when it comes to the mental health aspects of serious illness, families get even less attention than patients do.
By offering individual treatments and group sessions to the parents of young children, we don’t just ease their burden. We also remove some of the stress and anxiety that come with the hospitalization of a child so that everyone can focus on the patient’s recovery.
Medical Practitioners Are Overwhelmed
Patients who are in the hospital for months at a time don’t suddenly stop having psychological issues simply because care isn’t available. Instead, the burden for their care gets shifted on to nurses and aides who are already overworked.
Of course it goes without saying that these people don’t have the skills and training needed to deal with the psychology of illness and hospitalization. So, they can end up feeling frustrated or doing more harm than good. Our work can help medical practitioners shift their focus back on to their areas of expertise, freeing up their time and giving patients a better shot at recovery.
Health Outcomes Improve With Better Mental and Emotional Care
It almost goes without saying that those who have gotten the mental and emotional support they need are more likely to recover than those who are in a state of distress. The mind and body are intimately connected. It’s difficult to beat a serious illness, or even prolong your lifespan, when you’re living in a state of constant anxiety.
Rain of Light isn’t just about making patients and their families feel happier; we want them to get better and live healthier lives, too. Treating their psychological needs is a great way to encourage better outcomes all around.
Want to Help Rain of Light Offer Hope to Patients and Their Families?
There is a missing gap in treatment for long-term illnesses, but you can help us close it. If you want to support Rain of Light with a donation, then visit our giving page and see how you can help.
Remember that your gift offers hope, care, and a better chance of recovery for those who need it most.
