Families unprepared for a loved one’s health diagnosis can be overwhelmed by medical terminology, treatment decisions, and hospital visits. CaringBridge was created to help families receive support and provide information, while increasing time available for the patient and their caregiver. CaringBridge sites can be an important tool for families dealing with the stress of a health situation, giving them an appropriate outlet for sharing their feelings and receiving support.
CaringBridge provides free personal and private Web sites to patients and families when someone is facing a serious health event. A CaringBridge Web site allows the family to update everyone concerned with just one Web site entry, rather than making and taking countless phone calls to/from well-wishers. In return, patients and their family can hear from hundreds of their loved ones offering support and encouragement, and store all of those messages in one spot. Many say that while cards and letters are wonderful, they can’t come close to the volume of well-wishes and compassion they receive through their CaringBridge experience.
The Patient Advocate Foundation partnered with CaringBridge in July 2009 to bring awareness of a beneficial service to our patients and their families and to also bring awareness of the organization to members of the CaringBridge community. For more information or to create your own CaringBridge site that gives recognition to the Patient Advocate Foundation, visit www.caringbridge.org/patientadvocate. Our mission at PAF is to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment, and preservation of their financial stability relative to their diagnosis of chronic, life threatening or debilitating diseases.
