Associations for the families of sick persons

“The associations can provide help directly to disease-affected persons or their relatives," Igor Grzesiak, Member of the Board of the foundation of the Institute for Patient Rights and Health Education, the organiser of the yearly Patient Organisations Forum, stated.

Grzesiak referred to the example of the Amazons, who provide psychological support for women staying in oncology wards and also deal with volunteer training.

“In turn, the 'Pro-Familia’ Association for the Support of Persons with Mental Disorders, their Families and Caretakers is dedicated to helping the families of sick persons by organising workshops and training courses," Grzesiak added.

Goals of the associations

One of the goals of the associations is bringing about changes in legislation which would facilitate access to treatment, therapy conditions, caretaking options, and the supply of medications and medical devices.

The organisations also participate in social consultations and in evaluating legislative proposals related to the administration of healthcare and changes in treatment.

Their activities also include the provision of legal assistance, medical consultations and rehabilitation.

Yet another field of activity of the discussed associations is promoting knowledge on specific diseases and preventing the discrimination and stigmatisation of sick persons. This is of particular importance in the case of mental diseases. The associations also facilitate the social adaptation of disease-affected persons and their families.

The associations also organise various forms of support for the family members of sick persons, for instance in the form of exchanging experiences during meetings, workshops and integration trips. They also arrange financial assistance.

Many organisations run national information or social campaigns promoting knowledge on certain diseases.

Disease is a family problem

“Thanks to the support from associations, disease-affected persons receive motivation to combat their diseases, which facilitates the treatment process," Grzesiak emphasised.

In his opinion, assistance offered by associations to the families of sick persons is equally crucial.

“When a family member struggles with a disease, this usually affects the entire family, which gets involved in the care and support for the disease-affected person," Grzesiak explains.

Taking care of a sick family member brings challenges to the family related to dealing with fear, sorrow, helplessness, uncertainty and with the burden of excessive duties, as well as with the lack of information on the disease and on the ways of taking care of the disease-affected person, often coupled with physical and mental exhaustion.

Where to look for help

In Poland, there are many associations offering help for the families of sick persons. They often focus on specific diseases, and also facilitate the integration of the families of people suffering from rare diseases.

Nowadays, most associations have their websites, but on the Internet it is also possible to find contact data of organisations which do not run their own websites.

There are also Internet forums where members of families of sick people can exchange experiences and advice on how to take care of a person with a specific disease. Some organisations also provide special helplines. In a number of cities the associations establish support groups and arrange regular meetings.

Information on the associations can also be obtained in doctors’ surgeries and outpatient clinics, where many organisations leave materials promoting their activities.