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Health & Advocacy Resources

How to keep your Personal Health Record

My Personal Health Record is a valuable website that includes a guide to help you be a more active participant in managing your personal health information, ensuring complete documentation of your treatment and medical history. 

For Additional Safety

Lifeline Systems
Pendant - when pressed, alerts local monitoring station that the wearer needs help. Increases safety and independence, especially for those who live alone.
(800) 635-6156.

MedicAlert Foundation
Bracelets or pendants with phone number for 24-hour emergency medical information
(800) 825-3785

Vita-LINK
Pendant - when pressed activates an alarm system, and the subscriber will be connected to their emergency response center. Recommended to increase safety and independence at home.
(800) 752-5522

CRISIS RESOURCES

Befrienders Worldwide
Worldwide providers of emotional support and suicide prevention

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 150 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free number, 1-800-273-TALK(8255) connects the caller to a certified crisis center near where the call is placed.

The Disaster Distress Helpline
Toll-free, multilingual crisis support service available via telephone (1-800-985-5990) and SMS (text ‘TalkWithUs’ to 66746). Counseling available after disasters Immediate help is available for those affected by, or who may need additional assistance, after experiencing a natural or human-created disaster. The Disaster Distress Helpline is a national hotline that provides 24/7, year-round crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This resource is a federally funded resource provided by SAMHSA.

National Alliance on Mental Illness – San Francisco
Crisis Services
Mobile Crisis Treatment Team
(415) 255-3610

U.S. National AIDS Hotlines & Other Resources

Rape Abuse and Incest National Network
(800) 656-Hope
TTY: (800) 810-7440
24-Hours, 7 days a week

The Riley Center
Safe and confidential services for any woman in an abusive relationship
24-Hour Crisis Line (415) 255-0165

San Francisco Suicide Prevention
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (415) 781-0500

San Francisco Women Against Rape
Provides direct services and community initiatives for survivors of sexual assault

Prevention and Safety Resources

2 Minute Breast Exam
This website is a project of Dr. William Goodson, a breast surgeon who has practiced in San Francisco, California for over 25 years. Dr. Goodson believes that "all women should have an annual clinical breast exam and that each breast should  be examined for at least one minute (2 minutes for both breasts).This website includes a free online video designed to educate the public and doctors about both the importance and how to do a complete breast exam. This is definitely a case of the old phrase: "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...."

New Social Services Telephone Number
If you've ever tried to get information on housing, childcare, eldercare or other social services you know how difficult it can be. There are so many services out there, it's hard to know where to start. A new service should make this process much easier. Simply by calling 2-1-1, residents of Contra Costa County and around the Bay Area will reach real people who can make referrals to local social service organizations and agencies. Dial 2-1-1 is a nationwide program, funded largely by United Way in cooperation with local agencies. It's available in many parts of the country. Eventually it will be nationwide. Every county manages the service a little differently. The Contra Costa Crisis Center is handling 2-1-1 calls here. For more information check out the website at:
211.org 

For help, call National Crisis Resource Center, 800-273-TALK (8255) or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org which will direct you to a local resource center.

Trauma Resources, Links and Information

This page includes links to articles and resources for coping with trauma, how to talk to children about natural disasters, violence, and other traumas.

Illness - Related Foundations and Websites

American Chronic Pain Association

Arthritis Foundation

The Center for Genetics and Society is a "nonprofit social justice organization that works to ensure an equitable future where human genetic and reproductive technologies benefit the common good."

Cystic Fibrosis Research, Inc. Want to watch a short inspiration video of young people living with cystic fibrosis?

One of the events this organization sponsors is "The Cystic Fibrosis CF Teen and Adult Retreat, sponsored by the Cystic Fibrosis Research, Inc., provides a safe and welcoming environment aimed at enhancing positive coping skills, social support and education for people who share common experiences with Cystic Fibrosis. For those of us who attend, it's the most special week of the year when we can be around others who truly understand what it means to be living with CF...Sometimes, it gives us a good feeling...."(we) get a feeling that (we) never, never, never had before..." Some of the participants in this film have had lung transplants, all, except for one group facilitator seen dancing, live with cystic fibrosis. http://vimeo.com/47548391

Diabetes Society has patient information, resources, and an online chat line.

HelpGuide is a non-profit organization website with information on mental and emotional health issues. The articles are written by experts: https://www.helpguide.org

Mended Hearts
Grass roots organization, run by and for people who have heart disease.

Multiple Sclerosis
nmss.org and  msconnection.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness
This grass-roots self help organization's mission is: "Informing, educating and supporting people with mental illness and their families."

National Mental Health Consumers Self Help Clearinghouse
Self Help Group Referrals (800) 553 4539

National Mental Health Association
(800) 969-NMHA

National Organization for Rare Disorders

The National Pain Foundation
The NPF Mission is "To improve the quality of life for those living with pain through information, education, and support that connects persons with pain to each other and to those that can help."

National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization's Mission is to benefit people affected by chronic disorganization. "The NSGCD explores, develops and communicates information, organizing techniques to professional organizers, related professionals and the public." Provides free, downloadable advice to help you be more organized and efficient.
 
Osteoporosis:  Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education

Osteoporosis is a disease that breaks down the tissue in our bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. "Treatable and preventable! Osteoporosis is epidemic in the United States and a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans or 55 percent of the people 50 years of age and older. One out of every two women and one in five men will suffer from osteoporosis in their lifetime. However, younger people also are vulnerable to this disease."  American Bone Health's Dr. Claude Arnaud, President of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Board.

Sickle Cell Anemia
(800) 421-8453

Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic: Trouble Sleeping? Check out these helpful tips from the Stanford Sleep Clinic. link: www.stanford.edu/~dement/howto.html

Twelve Step Recovery Programs

Al-Anon (for families and friends of alcoholics)
Alcoholics Anonymous
Co-Dependents Anonymous
Debtors Anonymous
Food Addicts Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Sexual Compulsives Anonymous 

S-Anon International Family Groups (for those who have been affected by someone else's sexual behavior)

Sites for people with medical illness & their loved ones

CaringBridge
Personal web sites for those experiencing significant life events.
CaringBridge is a non-profit organization that offers free, personalized web sites to those wishing to stay in touch with family and friends during significant life events. CaringBridge authors craft messages that are informative and reflect a special sensitivity to privacy issues. At each web site, well-wishers can read updates about the subject and leave messages in the Guestbook.

CarePages
Provides free websites, blogs and supportive information for patients that connect friends and family during a health challenge.

Lotsa Helping Hands
Helps friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors assist loved ones in need manage and coordinate offers of help.

Resources for Aging

AARP: American Association of Retired Persons
America's largest organization that represents people over 50. Their website has a wide range of helpful pieces about coping with health problems, or planning for retirement.

Ask Medicare
Ask Medicare website, medicare.gov/caregivers launched by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services includes information on navigating systems for Medicare beneficiaries: health care services, links for support for patients and caregivers.

ElderChicks Blog is a light-hearted blog for “Elder Chicks”.

Exit Strategies: A Plan and A Place For Your Estate Information, Jeanne K.Smith's valuable system is now in a downloadable workbook format: “Exit Strategies: A Plan and A Place for Your Estate Information©” for FREE. It contains a Family Resource Guide with all the information that I would share with you if we met in person and the data pages were created to record all your personal, financial and legal information that your family will need at a time of crisis. This includes recovering from a disaster, incapacity or settling an estate. If you should want to create your Exit Strategies on the computer, you can simply use the categories as a guide and enter your information." After years helping others get organized Jeanne has retired. She decided to, rather than charging for her system to ask people to make a donation to a charity of their choice.

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging’s mission is to “build the capacity of its members to help older persons and persons with disabilities live with dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as long as possible.”

The National Council on Aging - Benefits CheckUp
Are You Getting all the Government Benefits You Are Entitled To? The NCOA reports that 5 million older adults are currently missing out on benefit programs that can provide help with health care, transportation, housing, energy assistance, and other services. Benefit CheckUp is a free, easy-to use public service that will help you find out what benefits you qualify for and how to get them.

Advocacy Resources

Patient Advocate Foundation
Mediation and arbitration services for patients with debilitating and life-threatening illnesses.

Ask Medicare: Help for Caregivers
Ask Medicare website, medicare.gov/caregivers launched by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services includes information on navigating systems for Medicare beneficiaries: health care services, links for support for patients and the "nearly 66 million American" caregivers.

Cystic Fibrosis Legal Information Hotline
Free, general legal information resource about laws designed for people with cystic fibrosis, their caregivers, and others.
(800) 622-0385

The Department of Justice
Maintains an ADA Information Line to assist the public in understanding and interpreting the Americans with Disabilities Act. Line also provides contact information for the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and other agencies with regulatory responsibility under the ADA
(800) 514-0301 (voice), (800) 514-0383 (TTD)

Independent Living Centers
Services and resources for individuals with disabilities. "Definition of a Center for Independent Living from Section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended: Center for Independent Living. The term center for independent living' means a consumer controlled, community based, cross disability, nonresidential private nonprofit agency that is designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities and provides an array of independent living services." To find your local center contact your local department of rehabilitation, call (713) 520 0232.

Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI)
Nonprofit providing legal assistance to people with disabilities, striving to "protect, advocate for, and advance their human, legal, and service rights."
(800) 776-5746 (voice/TTY)

The National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives
Helps those denied Social Security Disability Insurance
(800) 431-2804

The Social Security and Disability Resource Center is an online medication resource center that includes leads for getting help with the cost of medication.

Social Security Disability Secrets "Tips, secrets and advice to win social security disability (SSDI, SSD) & SSI Benefits:" 

The Center for Genetics and Society is a nonprofit social justice organization that works to ensure an equitable future where human genetic and reproductive technologies benefit the common good.

Information and Resources about Advanced Health Care Directives

The American Bar Association's toolkit
To help you plan for how you want your health care decisions handled when and if you are unable to speak for yourself in an emergency as well as detailed information about issues to consider when planning for end-of-life choices.

Health Related Resources

Dr Koop.com
Major Health Search Engine

Loansome Docs
A medical library designed to be used by individuals who are not health care professionals. If you become a member you can order full text medical articles.

National Center for Health Statistics
United States' principle health statistics agency, part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Statistical Resources on the Web

The Center for Genetics and Society is a nonprofit social justice organization that works to ensure an equitable future where human genetics and reproductive technologies benefit the common good. www.geneticsandsociety.org

United States National Library of National Institutes of Health
includes links to Biomedical journal literature from MEDLINE/PubMed, also en espanol, provides free health and drug information for patients, family and friends.

The American Academy of Pain Management produces a monthly newsletter called "Currents" that has a lot of useful information on current research relating to pain and pain management. As one person wrote, "I like it because it saves me from having to spend a lot of time searching the literature myself."

There are two ways to access it: (1) subscribe to it and receive it monthly in your email or (2) go directly to this link and scroll down to the Newsletter Archive section. You can subscribe to Currents and from the Academy's main page.

Here is a summary of what Currents is about:

Each month, an expert researcher reviews more than 20,000 news stories from media outlets (from throughout the United States and abroad) and journal abstracts to find those that are relevant to pain management practitioners.

Each issue of Currents: The Monthly Index to Pain Management offers:

• Breaking News – a variety of pain-related news stories (selected from thousands) that have appeared in the popular media over the last month (arranged by topic and date). Topics include: Pain Studies/Research in the News; Conditions, Diagnosis, and Treatment; Policy and Law; Prescription Diversion and Abuse; For Your Patients; Industry-released News; and Lagniappe (quirky and interesting stories related to pain).

• Abstracts – each month, Academy researchers review thousands of journal abstracts from the National Library of Medicine (NLM) databases and other sources to select those that will be most useful to practitioners. Approximately 200 abstracts are included each month.

• Clinical Practice Guidelines – new or recently revised practice advisories and guidelines provide physicians, nurses, and other health professionals with timely and easy access to the latest recommendations of evidence-based medicine.

• Clinical Trials – this section provides a monthly list of new governmental and non-governmental clinical trials arranged by subject and state(s) in which the trial will take place. In the six months since this service was added, it has become the most complete listing of new pain-related clinical trials available in publication and on the Internet.

• Federal and State Legislative Updates – legal databases and state/federal websites are monitored to keep readers aware of the status of state and federal bills relating to pain management. A citation and synopsis of each bill on which some action has been taken during the last month is provided along with a link to the full text of that legislation.

• Advocacy – news and information about organizations working to improve management through legislative and educational efforts. It also lets readers know how they can become involved in these efforts.

Prescription Resources and Assistance

NeedyMeds is an online medication resource center that includes leads for getting help with the cost of medication.

Consumer Reports Best Buys on Drugs

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Many Americans are having problems being able to pay for necessary prescription medication. This program offers one possible solution. This program "brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that's right for them. Many will get them free or nearly free. Its mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible. Through this site, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 180 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. To access the Partnership for Prescription Assistance by phone, you can call toll-free, 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669)." (from their web site) 

Financial Assistance and Resources

HospitalBillHelp.org
Guidance and help for Californians facing hefty hospital bills.

NeedyMeds is an online medication resource center that includes leads for getting help with the cost of medication.

What is Hospice?

Hospice care provides quality of life and comfort at the end of life. There are many different hospice organizations which offer different services, throughout the US and the world.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization provides information about the wide range of hospice services, including those within the same communities. Their website includes a referral directory and a collection of user-friendly, helpful resources and information about hospice. HelpLine: 800/658-8898.

Hospice of the East Bay provides hospice and palliative care services that support and comfort people and their loved ones through the final stages of life. For more information: (925) 887-5678.

Why participate in a Clinical Trial?

Q: Why should I participate in a clinical trial? If I participate in a trial I take a risk and probably the trial will fail to prove that there is a better drug or treatment, so why should I put myself at risk with no chance of anyone getting any benefit?

A: This is an excellent question that many of us ask. However, we also know that clinical trials are vital in our search for better methods of prevention, detection and treatment for not only prostate cancer, but for all cancers and diseases. In a study published in "Archives of Internal Medicine" (2008; 168:632-642) Dr. Benjamine Djulbegovic M.D., Ph.D. from the Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute at the University of South Florida, Tampa Florida assessed the success rates of NIH sponsored phase III clinical trials.

The study assessed 624 trials involving over 216,000 different subjects. He found that 25% to 50% of the trials demonstrated that a new, novel treatment that was the subject of the trial was successful. So, don't assume that you are not contributing to making significant progress towards better treatments. Also, remember that even negative results contribute to our knowledge base.

Written by Joel T Nowak MA, MSW
Used with author's permission, from www.advancedprostatecancer.net a rich resource that shares experiences, support and advice for men with advanced and recurrent Prostate Cancer.

Note: If you have a non-profit resource that you think others would benefit from knowing about, please contact Dr. Steiner to have the information included here.

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Last Updated: October 7, 2021