Case managers are health-care professionals who provide assistance to patients and individuals in need.  They may work with a variety of populations, such as individuals who are hospitalized, at home, in nursing homes, homeless, have cancer or conditions causing an altered self-image, mental illness, developmental disabilities, or others who are unable to care for themselves.  Depending on the specific population, case managers may perform a wide range of duties to provide comprehensive care and ensure their clients’ health and well-being.  

At Face2Face Healing, we provide assistance to individual dealing with cancer or conditions causing an altered self-image along with their families.  We coordinate with the individual, their caregivers, families and their healthcare provider team.  

Tasks and Responsibilities: The first step in the case management process is an interview of the individual.  Family members or caregivers may also be involved in the interview process.  The case manager reviews records related to medical treatment or previous health services and develops a plan of care with the individual and family.  Goals are individualized to the patient and might include anything from applying for financial aid or finding housing to securing a primary care physician for the individual.  

Assessment: Assessments help case managers to develop a comprehensive picture of the individuals’ lives.  When a case manager first meets or speaks with an individual, they will perform an assessment to gain background information and obtain psychological information, such as the individual’s previous or current treatment experiences, family history, medical and psychological history, as well as their social support network.  The case manager uses this information to evaluate any unmet needs and to obtain information on what services the individual is currently receiving.  

Care Coordination: The coordination of care services is the primary responsibility of a case manager.  Care coordination helps to ensure that an individual’s needs are being met and prevents the fragmentation of care.  This involves developing an organizational plan that considers all of the services an individual is receiving and their needs. 

Advocacy: Case managers advocate for individuals, taking necessary steps to ensure that the individual who is not able to advocate for themselves, do not fall between the cracks.  Advocacy is one of the most important elements of case management.  It involves representing the best interests of the individual with social service agencies, government institutions or other organizations that can provide assistance or needed resources.  For example, assisting an individual with cancer who has been discharged to home and may not understand the discharge instructions and collaborates with the healthcare provider to obtain clear instructions or assist in obtaining a home health visit to help the individual be less overwhelmed in their care.  

Additional Responsibilities: Case managers may perform additional responsibilities, depending on the specific needs of the individual and scope of the organization.  At Face2Face, we preform administrative tasks, such as compiling and maintaining case files, assisting with obtaining community resources or healing services, financial support, grocery shopping and delivering a writing tablet, iPad or patient care packages to the individual at home, in the hospital or another setting. 

Case Managers Can Not

• Serve in a professional healthcare capacity.
• Provide medical advice or opinions. 
• Provide transportation to, or from, appointments or treatments.
• Serve as certified medical language interpreter.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can relieve all sorts of ailments- from physical pain, to stress and anxiety. People who choose to supplement their healthcare regimen with regular massages will benefit from the 10 most reported benefits:

1. Reduce stress
2. Improve circulation
3. Reduce pain
4. Eliminate toxins
5. Improve flexibility
6. Improve sleep
7. Enhance immuity
8. Reduce fatigue
9. Alleviate depression and anxiety
10. Reduce post-surgery and post-injury swelling.

Reiki Therapy

Reiki energy works on similar principles to that of massage and acupuncture. When energy is blocked in areas of the body or spiritural being, it manifest as pain, disease and illness.

Reiki is often used in conjuction with western medicine to eliminate physical problems or reduce the ill side effects of medicines and treatments and is known to ber very effective at speeding the recovery process, reducing stress and creating a more positive outlook.

Reiki utilizes a standard system of light hand placements on or slighly above the client in order to facilitate the flow of energy organically through the client’s nervous system meridans, chakras or energy centers in their body.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a complimentary medical practice that entails stimulating certain points on the body, most often with a needle penetrating the skin, to alleviate pain or to help treat various conditions.

Hundreds of clinical studies on he benefits of acupuncture show that it successfully treats conditions ranging from musculoskeletal problems (back pain, neck pain, and others) to nausea, migraine headache, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.