ZERO - THE END OF PROSTATE CANCER EDUCAT I ON NEWS L E T T E R
Winter 2021
your doctor or physical therapist whether you’re at risk of osteoporosis-related problems, and find out which exercises are appropriate for you. How much? There are many schools of thought with regard to strength training guidelines. For my clients, I recommend 30 minutes of weight-bearing activity, at least four days a week. Your 30 minutes of exercise can be done all in one stretch, or broken up into shorter intervals. A 10-minute brisk walk three times a day is a great way to get started. The most important thing is to GET STARTED. Balancing Work and Caregiving Joanna Fawzy Morales, Esq., CEO, Triage Cancer Individuals diagnosed with cancer often experience employment challenges while working through treatment, taking time off work, or returning to work. But caregivers may face similar challenges. These include potential workplace discrimination because of their caregiving role and trying to balance their caregiving and work responsibilities. Caregivers who take extended periods of time off from work can also face issues getting back into the workforce. However, there are some legal protections and resources to help caregivers better navigate work and caregiving. Federal and state fair employment laws Title I of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides eligible caregivers with protection against discrimination in the workplace. Most states have laws similar to the ADA, but some are more protective. For example, the state law may cover smaller private employers than the ADA. So, caregivers should look at their federal protections as well as the state laws. Financial help If you are taking time off work under the FMLA, the leave is unpaid. As a result, many caregivers need to find a way to replace their lost wages. A few states offer paid leave programs for eligible
caregivers who need to take time off of work, including: CA, NH, DC, NJ, RI, WA, NY, & MA. A few additional states have created programs that haven’t yet begun: CT (1/1/22), OR (9/3/23), and CO (1/1/24). There are also a number of federal proposals to create a federal paid leave program. In addition, some state Medicaid programs provide eligible individuals with in-home assistance to help with activities of daily living. Activities can include getting dressed, grocery shopping, cooking, and transportation to medical appointments. These programs have different names in each state, such as In-Home Support Services or Home Help Programs. Some states allow an individual’s family member to provide the in-home assistance and get paid by the program. Contact your Medicaid program to see if this is an option in your state. Other practical issues For caregivers who are trying to balance work and their caregiving responsibilities, other daily activities can become more challenging, such as cooking meals, housekeeping, gardening, taking kids to school, and other activities. These are all tasks that family members and friends may be able to help with, if you ask. Lotsa Helping Hands and Meal Train have calendar tools allowing friends and family to sign up to deliver meals or help with other activities. For more information about legal protections and other resources related to caregiving, visit: https://TriageCancer.org/Caregiving . Clinical Trials In 1962, the U.S. government passed a law that required the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to test all new treatments and show they are safe and that they work. These tests are called clinical trials. Clinical trials are research studies performed in people that are aimed at evaluating a medical, surgical, or behavioral intervention. They are the primary way that researchers find out if a new treatment, like a new drug or diet or medical device, is safe and effective in people.
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