home EVENTS
Pathfinders & the Aspen Hope Center "Give and Grow Thru Grief & Loss"
Featuring Dr. Alan Wolfelt
CLICK TO WATCH NOW!
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Youth Recovery Teen Loss Group
EVERY THURSDAY
4-5:30PM
GLENWOOD SPRINGS
CALL 970-925-1226
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Teen Grief/Loss Group
JAN.12th, MARCH 1st
4-5:30PM
COAL RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL, NEW CASTLE
CALL 970-925-1226
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"Caring for the Caregiver Workshop"
Colorado Mountain College GWS
February 9th & 16th
6:00 - 8:30PM
CALL 970-925-1226
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Hospital Workshop for Professional Caregivers
February 14th
CALL 970-925-1226
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Pathfinders Documentary
" What Love Is "
A documentary bringing hope to patients and their families
Aspen Institute
Paepcke Auditorium
Aspen, Colorado
February 17, 2012
5:30-7:15PM
CALL 970-925-1226
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"Overcoming Grief"
A one-day workshop for anyone experiencing grief &
loss of a loved one
To Be Announced
CALL 970-925-1226
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Teen Grief & Loss
Support Group
DOWNLOAD SCHEDULE BELOW
CALL 970-925-1226
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Pathfinders is a Colorado non-profit, psychosocial support program for cancer and chronically ill patients, caregivers, family members and the community. By focusing on the social, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a diagnosis, the program fosters healing and personal growth at all stages of treatment ... from diagnosis into survivorship or end-of-life.
Film Captures Cancer Experiences
The showing of the moving Pathfinders Documentary "What Love Is"
has been POSTPONED until the Summer. We have so many exciting developments going on at Pathfinders that we need more time to prepare for YOU!
RFV, COLORADO QUICK LINKS
Path_Support_Undated.pdf
donate
Fifty women from North Carolina with incurable breast cancer heroically endure an experimental medical protocol to prove that there is a better way of life, and death, for cancer patients and their families everywhere.
PROUD RECIPIENT OF
PATHFINDERS HAS PROVIDED SERVICES FOR OVER 1600 INDIVIDUALS
OVER 4,000 SERVED SINCE 2003
Aspen Valley Hospital
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Care Center
Valley View Hospital
about us 
who we serve
what we do
The Pathfinders program services are offered to anyone in need regardless of ability to pay, socio-economic status, race or creed. In Colorado we currently serve residents in Pitkin, Garfield, Eagle and Mesa counties. Contact us to see what services are available in your area.
The program assists individuals at any stage of their illness. From first diagnosis into survivorship or end-of-life, it is never too late to call a Pathfinder for help. While many patients find Pathfinders helpful during their treatment or illness, many find that the transition post treatment is the most difficult. Still others need the extra assistance as they navigate the end-of-life process.
While Pathfinders was founded to address the needs of cancer patients, caregivers and their families, the program has expanded to help those experiencing other life-threatening illnesses. And, the Angel Volunteer program assists not only those who are ill, but helps the elderly, disabled, and anyone suffering a loss.
The Pathfinders program is provided at no or low cost to participants. The Patient Scholarship Fund created by generous donors and grantors has made this possible!
Our program combines patient support, community resources and advocacy with an evidence based curriculum of coping strategies called, The Seven Pillars of Personal Recovery. Our research study at the Duke Cancer Institute found that participants, who worked with the Pathfinders interventions, reported their quality of life as getting better even in the face of progressing disease.
Pathfinder counselors are master’s level counselors or social workers with additional training in cancer and life-threatening illnesses, palliative and end of life counseling, and The Seven Pillars coping curriculum.
Patients, caregivers, survivors and affected families work with their Pathfinder to choose from the following services to create a personally tailored program to meet their unique needs:
One-on-one mental health counseling and coping skills training; Navigation and advocacy to help individuals receive the services they deserve; Resource referrals to connect people with all available resources such as early diagnostic screenings, financial assistance, home health aide, hospice, help with insurance, and other supportive services; Support Groups located in Western Colorado or by virtual tele-counseling to help those dealing with cancer, caregiving issues or loss of a loved one; Lifestyle education to support healthy practices as related to nutrition, exercise and stress management; Complementary care education and referrals; Palliative care and end-of-life planning incorporating advanced directives, hospice care and/or volunteer support; The Angel Volunteer program helps with daily living needs for anyone temporarily or permanently disabled by illness, accident or advancing age by delivering home cooked meals, running errands, providing respite care and much more; The Survivor-to-Survivor program connects cancer survivors with others who have experienced a similar diagnosis and treatment regime; Workshops for professional caregivers to help prevent “caregiver fatigue” and “caregiver burnout”; Emergency financial aid for individuals or families affected by cancer. make a gift
patients Empowering Personal Recovery
L.Parrish_story.pdf
DeWolf_story.pdf
L.Hall_story.pdf
B.Gold_story.pdf
While we offer many supportive services for patients and their families, we are most proud of our ability to teach patients, caregivers, families and communities the coping skills needed to navigate their situations. While we cannot make the challenges of cancer and disease go away, we have seen over and over again, how our comprehensive program can help patients rebuild hope, relieve stress and find unexpected joy even amidst the uncertainty of their disease.
All services are offered at low or no cost and scholarships are available. Our goal is to promote a life-long coping and self-efficacy for people who are compromised by cancer and serious illness.
- Pathfinders: Empowering Personal Recovery
Hines_story.pdf
Allyn_story.pdf
C.Atkins_story.pdf
GraceHeath_story.pdf
Adrienne_story.pdf
Bill Meriwether_story.pdf
VOICES: Colorado Patients
Anonymous_story.pdf
Scholarship a patient and
their family
VOICES: Melanie
professionals A FEW WORDS about US
Referring to Pathfinders
Pathfinders are integral members of the patient’s treatment team whether physically at the treating hospital or working with their oncologist, nurse or primary care physician and others by phone to ensure that each patient receives the highest quality medical and nursing care, and that his or her emotional, family and spiritual needs are understood and met.
If you are interested in referring, please download and fill out the referral form. email it to: info_pathfindersforcancer.org
or fax it to: 970-544-3867
Ongoing research supports the idea that present day standard-of-care for cancer and chronic disease is failing patients in terms of their psychosocial needs and may, in fact, be damaging them in regards to their long-term emotional well-being.
Pathfinders’ goal is to bridge this gap by working alongside oncologists and nurses in the day-to-day clinical setting to integrate psychosocial support with standard treatment.
Caring for the Professional
Please note that under the caregiver tab we offer special individual counseling and group workshops for the professional caregiver to help relieve Caregiver Fatigue and Caregiver Burnout. Often professional caregivers give all day long and then return home after a day at work to care for their families. A sudden change or extreme stress can cause the professional caregiver to get out of balance and need care themselves! To find out more email us at: info_pathfindersforcancer.org
- Pathfinders- What Love is
Pathfinder_Referral_Form.doc
Ask_Amy_1.pdf
Duke_Study1.pdf
"What Love Is"
In this video clip, WRAL anchor, David Crabtree reports on psychosocial support and Pathfinders at Duke University.
caregivers1 caregiver facts
what is a caregiver?
A FEW WORDS about US
Are you helping a loved one with
cancer or a chronic disease?
You may not think of yourself as a caregiver. You may just think that you are helping a loved one and it is just something natural, or, you may be a professional caregiver and it is part of your job. Caregiving is a term that has come into use more during the past 10-15 years and it refers to anyone who takes care of someone else who can no longer manage all the everyday tasks alone!
At certain times in our lives many of us become caregivers. For some of us, it may simply be caring for a parent or a loved one. Sometimes we become caregivers gradually. We help someone just a few times a month, but as the person needs more help, we get more and more involved. Whether you are a spouse, an adult, a child, relative, friend, or volunteer, caregiving is becoming a fact of life for many of us.
While giving care, it is normal to put your own feelings and needs aside, however, putting your needs aside for a long time is not good for your health. You need to take care of yourself too! If you don’t, you may not be able to take care of another.
About 82% of caregivers are female 61% have been providing care for less than 6 months An estimate 15% of American workers are involved in caregiving About 6 in 10 caregivers work full-time About 1/3 of working caregivers have one or more children still living at home About 8 in 10 caregivers provide some form of assistance 7 days a week by providing transportation, housework, shopping and administering medicine Half of all primary caregivers receive no outside help and only 10 to 20% of family caregivers use agency services 36% reported caregiving took more than 40 hours per week Relieving Your Stress
The Benefits of Caregiver Support Systems
Evidence shows that community-based education and support groups for caregivers may help relieve the stress associated with providing care for a loved one with cancer, chronic illness or dementia. Importantly, caregivers who participated in one or more avenues of support reported significant improvement in the amount in which they were able to cope with their caregiving challenges and feel balance and well-being in their own lives.
So…
Take action now!
“One of the most difficult of all things to endure for a crow, a raven, wolf, or a human is to feel alone and separated from one’s own kind. A sense of belonging is one of the most universal of all feelings”
— LAWRENCE KILHAM
A Day in the Life
Honestly, what don't you do? As a caregiver for someone ill, you spend your days shopping, preparing meals, cleaning, providing transportation, talking to health care providers, administering medication and making sure your loved one gets everything they need. Caregivers find time to do it all, everything that is except to take care of themselves!
Sensible Suggestions
When offered time off — TAKE IT Join a support group Get enough sleep Eat well Talk to friends; don't isolate yourself If you still feel overwhelmed, strongly consider seeking a Pathfinder therapist to help you deal with the stress and reinforce your support system “We need to learn ways to take care of ourselves, because if we don’t take care
of ourselves then we can’t take care of
anyone else. Ask questions and don’t
be afraid to ask for help.”
— LIZ
Join a Caregiver Support Group NEXT: Caring for the Caregivers
caregivers2 the cost of caregiving
your own self-care
A FEW WORDS about US
A Journal of Family Nursing study detailed the impact of providing care on cancer caregivers’ physical, emotional and financial health. Following are the results published
in the study:
( JOFN , Vol.11, No.2, 140-161 (2005)
Emotional
• 97% felt their role was as a
caregiver was important
• 85% reported that they resented
having to provide care
• 81% stated that they wanted to
provide care and could not live with
themselves if they did not take over
caregiving responsibilities
• 70% said their families were not
working well together
• 54% visited friends and family less
since becoming a caregiver
• 35% said they were overwhelmed by
their caregiver role
Physical
• 70% reported taking 1- 10
medications per day themselves
• 62% said their own health had
suffered as a result of caregiving
• 25% reported a significant physical
limitation of their own
Financial
• 46% reported inadequate financial
resources
• Caregivers frequently missed as
many workdays as those patients for
whom they were caring. (Fatigue
Coalition, 2006)
• Get a massage
• Turn the radio to a station that plays
lively music and dance
• Indulge in one decadent pleasure every
day, for example, buy yourself special
flowers, take a healing bubble bath with
candles, slowly eat a piece of dark
chocolate, eat your favorite meal at a
restaurant with a friend
• Go for a walk in a beautiful area
• Listen to relaxing tapes
• Learn to meditate
• Go for tea or coffee with friends
• Start a new hobby or renew your
involvement in an old one
• Join a support group
• Play an instrument or sing for yourself
• Attempt new healthy recipes
• Think of new ways to have fun...
implement one fun event each day
A Curriculum for Caregivers
Pathfinders offers its curriculum of coping strategies to caregivers as well as patients through its Seven Pillars of Personal Recovery ™. With a focus on enhancing their own Self-care and support, The Seven Pillars ™ provide tools to help caregivers increase their quality-of-life, while continuing to support to their loved ones. Caregivers are offered one-on-one counseling and specialized support groups to learn our coping skills and to build a community of support.
For more information about our continuum of services for caregivers, please call 970.925.1226.
“In the midst of the turmoil that cancer has added to my life, Pathfinders has made me feel like a valued person. They have given me reassurance and hope. In so many ways my Pathfinder has made my experience with cancer more manageable.”
— GRACE H., Pathfinder Patient
Caregiving comes in many forms
Some tasks and responsibilities may involve:
• Driving someone to and from the treatment
facility and physician appointments, the
grocery store, the pharmacy, religious
gatherings or to the salon or barber shop;
• Assisting with walking and/or exercise;
• Help in understanding treatment options,
health insurance requirements, and making
sure bills are being managed;
• Management or scheduling of medications;
• Providing meals or ensuring the cupboards
are full;
• Housekeeping and providing maintenance;
• Visiting and providing emotional support.
BACK: What is a Caregiver?
services A FEW WORDS about US
Pathfinder Services
One-on-one mental health counseling and coping skills training; Navigation and advocacy to help individuals receive the services they deserve; Resource referrals to connect people with all available resources such as early diagnostic screenings, financial assistance, help with insurance issues, home health aide, hospice, and other supportive services; Support Groups located in Western Colorado or by virtual tele-counseling to help those dealing with cancer, caregiving issues or loss of a loved one; Lifestyle education to support healthy practices as related to nutrition, exercise and stress management; Palliative care and end-of-life planning incorporating advanced directives, hospice care and/or volunteer support; Pathfinder Services
[CONTINUED]
Complementary care education and referrals The Angel Volunteer program helps with daily living needs for anyone temporarily or permanently disabled by illness, accident or advancing age by delivering home cooked meals, running errands, providing respite care and much more; The Survivor-to-Survivor program connects cancer survivors with others who have experienced a similar diagnosis and treatment regime; Rural and Remote Tele-Counseling to help individuals too remote or sick to see a Pathfinder; Workshops for professional caregivers to help prevent “caregiver fatigue” and “caregiver burnout”; Emergency financial aid for individuals or families affected by cancer. For more information or to be connected with one or more of these services click here:
Connect Me To Pathfinders volunteers what we do
where we are going
A FEW WORDS about US
Although the Pathfinders Angels are only one component of Pathfinders, they are a jewel in the crown of our program.
Pathfinders Angels are volunteers whose mission is to enhance the quality-of-life of anyone who is permanently or temporarily debilitated by an illness, accident or advancing age by providing free services that assist with daily living.
By delivering home-cooked meals, assisting with simple chores and providing respite care and companionship, the Angels help to ease stress and create time for patients to focus on their personal recovery .
Personal recovery means regaining a sense of worth and purpose after feeling your future is lost... it means finding a realistic sense of hope... it means regaining confidence to move naturally through everyday events and coping well with uncertainty and threatening circumstances.
Patients and community members in the Pathfinders program define personal recovery as, “becoming an empowered person – regardless of disease status or resolution.”
The Angels provide a space for personal recovery to become a reality.
While Pathfinders began as a program exclusively for cancer patients, we have expanded services to help anyone who suddenly needs a little extra help.
Many patients have never had to rely on anyone to do what they have always been able to do for themselves, so requesting help or admitting the need for help can be extremely difficult.
Pathfinders Angels do their best to fulfill the needs of the people they serve, all the while honoring their personal space and boundaries. Confidentiality is a high priority and upheld at all times.
Our gift basket program is another way the community can be involved to help nurture
and support patients, family members
and caregivers. Baskets are customized for the individual and may contain special CDs, personal journals, pens, candles, organic lotions, healthcare products, pet treats, stuffed animals and more.
For more information about donating your time, “in-kind” gifts or donations, please contact us at info_pathfinders.org
or click the link below.
Pathfinder Angel Volunteers are a group of community members organized by our volunteer coordinators who serve their friends and neighbors on the Western Slope of Colorado. Our volunteers consist of adults and youth dedicated to helping others. Local high school and middle school students participate by having youth clubs within their schools. The teen volunteers help with babysitting, setting up Caring Bridge websites to assist with communication of a loved one’s health status, walk dogs, knit hats and scarves, provide companionship for the elderly and much more!
What can an Angel do?
• Cook and deliver meals •
• Support the Caregiver •
• Pick up prescriptions & run errands •
• Shovel snow •
• Offer companionship •
• Do light housework & gardening •
• Read a favorite book •
• Offer hugs, laughter & love •
SUPPORT THE ANGELS!
Media In The News
- Can Eastern Philosophy Compliment Western Medicine?
A FEW WORDS about US
Pathfinders founders, Kristin MacDermott and Tina Staley, L.C.S.W., have done many media appearances around the country highlighting the Pathfinders Program and are dedicated to bringing The Seven Pillars of Personal Recovery™ to cancer and chronically ill patients, their families and caregivers.
" The Human
Side of
Medicine," a very enlightening conversation hosted by the President and CEO of the Aspen Institute, Walter Issacson at the Aspen Ideas Fest in August of 2009, featured Dr. Zeke Emanuel, Special Advisor at the Office of Management and Budget; Gerard Keisterlee, President and CEO of Royal Phillips Electronics; and Tina Staley, Founder of Pathfinders.
article links:
THE ASPEN TIMES: "Pathfinders: What is Love Is" Premieres
DUKE UNIVERSITY: Program helps women deal with Cancer
ASPEN DAILY NEWS: Pathfinders wants you to know "What Love Is"
WRAL NEWS: Program helps cancer survivors forge new path
HERALD-SUN TIMES: Film tracespatient's journey through "Pathfinders"
THE CHRONICLE: Bogosian premierescancer documentary find us on facebook!
The above clip from Aspen Public Radio describes the Pillars and the documentary, "Pathfinders: What Love Is".
downloads:
Aspen Peak- Someone to Watch Over Me 2010.pdf
support us Support Us
We Greatly Appreciate Your Contributions and Support
A FEW WORDS about US
Sponsoring a patient, caregiver or family member affected by cancer or a life-threatening illness means helping them cope with the challenges of the diagnosis, changes in their life-style, and critical decisions and challenges.
It means providing support so that everyone can focus primarily on health and recovery.
Pathfinders’ goal is to ensure that the best possible outcomes are achieved.
WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE
It is through generous donations that we are able to provide compassionate, supportive whole-person care to a growing number of patients, caregivers and families.
There are many ways to get involved and support your community. Whether it is with your time, services or donations, every contribution is meaningful and appreciated.
Click below to find more.
WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE
HOW YOUR DONATIONS HELP
Your donations to Pathfinders helps patients and families with: Resources to find knowledgeable help to navigate the overwhelming choices & options available Finding lasting empowerment & hope despite their disease Reducing the suffering experienced by so many who go through the treatment process. Pathfinders provides knowledgeable support allowing patients to focus on healing. Click below for more details. HOW DONATIONS HELP
DONATE NOW
Scholarship a family in need of Pathfinder services, please click below.
Make a donation to the Pathfinders Program and we will direct your money to where it is most needed.
This button will take you
directly to Paypal for an easy &
secure transaction.*
SCHOLARSHIP PATHFINDERS
* If you would prefer NOT to donate online, please feel free to call us at (970)925-1226 and we will be happy to assist you.
contact us we'd love to hear from you
how to contact us
A FEW WORDS about US
COLORADO
P.O. Box 11799
Aspen, CO 81612
info_pathfindersforcancer.org
Whether you are a patient,
caregiver or if someone you know needs help coping with cancer or a chronic disease, contact a Pathfinder…
find us on facebook!
questions or comments?
ways to contribute How You Can Help
There are so many ways to help... see which one fits you!
SPECIAL GIFTS
Donations are often made in honor of a special friend or family member. This is a memorable way to help others who may currently be battling the same disease as your loved one. To make a special gift in honor of someone, please click below.
CONTACT US PLANNED GIVING / STOCK GIFTS
Many individuals choose to donate with a planned giving strategy, which usually involves estate planning. Whether a bequest, appreciated stock or a charitable trust, the lasting legacy of a planned gift is one of the greatest benefits of planned giving. If you are interested, click below.
FIND OUT MORE TAX DEDUCTIBLE / UNDERWRITING
We offer individual underwriting and naming opportunities for many programs, including: Patient & Professionals Trainings; Patient & Family Scholarships; Mind/Body Healing Programs; Support Groups; Complimentary & Alternative Care Seminars; Cancer Prevention & more.
To underwriting a program, click below.
CONTACT US PATHFINDERS SUPPORT NETWORK
If you would like to become more involved, the Pathfinders Support Network is a great way to help with your energy and ideas. Long-term vitality of all our programs depends upon the Pathfinders Support Network.
CONTACT US MONTHLY GIFTS
Any contribution to Pathfinders helps enormously. An easy way to donate is to make a small monthly contribution directly from your bank account. To assist you in setting this up, please click below to contact us.
CONTACT US WIRE TRANSFERS
Pathfinders accepts "Direct Deposits" from your bank to ours. These automated payments are simple and easy and can be used for annual or monthly donation payments. For more information, please click below.
FIND OUT MORE how your donations help How Your Donations Help
Pathfinders Greatly Appreciates All Contributions & Support
Pathfinders is a non-profit organization whose core mission is to relieve the widespread suffering experienced by those touched by cancer or any chronic illness and promote well-being through numerous supportive programs. Pathfinders is noted as the “Gold Standard” for psychosocial integrative care and has received a “Seal of Approval” from the Duke University Comprehensive Cancer Center as a program that successfully bridges the gap in standard medical care by integrating psychosocial support with standard treatment.
It is through generous donations that we are able to provide compassionate, supportive whole person care to a growing number of patients, caregivers and families.
Your donations help to underwrite:
• A personal guide —
One-on-one specific patient counseling
and advocacy
• Help with communicating and
understanding the cancer diagnosis
• Resource referrals — networking with
other institutions to provide optimal care
• Patient trainings – building coping
skills, camaraderie and tools for living
beyond a cancer or disease diagnosis
• Support groups for Grief & Loss,
Caregivers, and Cancer Survivors
• Complimentary care consulting —
guidance on additional therapies that
may include acupuncture, massage,
yoga, Pilates, meditation and other
mind/body coping skills
• Interactive workbooks and media
to help patients, caregivers and families
cope with the diagnosis and treatment
• Angel Volunteer Services & Personal
Care Items — wigs, scarves, hats, etc.
Buy Now
DONATE NOW
Sponsoring a Patient Sponsoring a Patient
A FEW WORDS about US
Sponsoring a patient means helping them cope through the challenges of a chronic illness or cancer diagnosis successfully. It means providing support in personal areas of concern, so that patientes can focus primarily on healing and recovery. Pathfinders’ aim is to ensure that the best possible treatment outcomes are achieved.
Please help us stop the unnecessary suffering.
By providing Pathfinders program assistance, patients and families receive knowledgeable help with navigating the many choices and options available after a diagnosis. It means rediscovering lasting hope and empowerment in the face of cancer or any chronic illness.
By sponsoring a patient, you help to reduce the suffering experienced by so many who go through the treatment process.
Having a trained Pathfinder as a personal advocate provides many benefits as outlined in this report published by the Duke University Comprehensive Cancer Center:
Pathfinders provide knowledgeable support through the treatment process, allowing patients to focus on healing.
Patients report significant improvement in psychosocial and physical symptoms such as — distress, despair, worry, fatigue, pain and insomnia. Patients also reported:
• Improved exercise capacity
• Increased nutritional well-being
• Increased spiritual well-being
• Feelings of optimism and well-being
Being able to have a personal Pathfinder Counselor assures that there is someone to turn to when times are tough, who works with the patient, family and the community at large to help create a support system. Many patients say that they feel better able to deal with life’s challenges after working with a Pathfinder.
Whether a patient, survivor, caregiver or family member, research shows that the psychological effects and the stress felt from any disease diagnosis often last longer than the treatment itself.
DONATE NOW
Make a donation to the Pathfinders Program and we will direct your money to where it is most needed.
If you prefer to make a donation to our Colorado chapter, please click below:
Both of these choices will take you to Paypal for an easy & secure transaction.*
PATHFINDERS
COLORADO
Pathfinders Research Results-6 mo brochure.pdf
" During my tenure as a cancer victor, many support groups I’ve attended have stopped short of what this program is accomplishing. So I say, 'Go for it Pathfinders and use your collective information to help as many people as possible!'”
— ALLYN R., Pathfinder Patient
* If you would prefer NOT to donate online, please feel free to call us at (970)925-1226 and we will be happy to assist you.
