Community Resources
Local Resources
Cancer
Bay Area Cancer Connections (BACC)- Based in Palo Alto, this organization provides free resources to anyone who has (or survived) breast and/or ovarian cancer, their caregivers, and families. They provide online regular classes, support groups, a resource center in English and Spanish, a buddy program, and more
Cancer CAREpoint- Based in San Jose, this organization provides free resources to anyone who has (or survived) cancer, their families, and caregivers. They provide: online support groups led by a professional, exercise and nutrition classes, massages, a free wig bank, and help getting the other resources you need in the community. Some offerings are in Spanish.
Latinas Contra Cancer - Based in San Jose, this organization provides free resources for the Latino/a community living who has (or survived) cancer, their families, and caregivers, in Spanish. Services include: someone to help you navigate health care appointments, a free wig bank with different kinds of hair textures, support groups (now online), and help with many other needs, particularly during COVID 19 (housing support, emergency funds, etc.)
New Hope Chinese Cancer Care Foundation - Based in Milpitas and Oakland, this nonprofit provides free resources to the Chinese community who has (or survived) cancer, their families, and caregivers. They provide visits (now online) with a cancer doctor, support groups, survivorship groups, health talks by doctors and other professionals, help accessing transportation to and from appointments, and more
Stanford Cancer Supportive Care Program- Based out of the Cancer Centers in San Jose and Palo Alto, offers FREE resources to anyone in the community who has (or survived) cancer, their families, and caregivers, regardless of where you receive your usual healthcare. Virtual or telephone offerings include: one-on-one consultations with a Registered Nurse, yoga and pilates classes, and more
Caregivers
Caregiver Center (Stanford Health Care)- Located in the new Stanford Hospital, this center provides a calm, relaxing place for caregivers anywhere. It is a place to get help, support, connection, and information from volunteer caregiver coaches, and a health librarian.
Bay Area Caregiver Resource Center (Family Caregiver Alliance) - Provides services to family caregivers of adults with physical and cognitive impairments. Services include: assessment, care planning, direct care skills, wellness programs, respite services, and legal/financial consultation vouchers. Available by phone and video.
End of Life
Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care (CACCC)- Provides information about end of life care, advance care planning workshops and games, a 24/7 warm line, and education to the health care providers. Offering virtual support groups and health education
CODA Alliance- partners with families, health and religious professionals, communities, hospitals, universities, hospices, elder care facilities and global partner organizations to make end-of-life conversations a natural part of life. Also the creator of Go Wish cards
Other
Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI) - A nonprofit in the South Bay providing a variety of services for people of all ages in the Asian community, in Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and English. Services include: health services, mental health support, ESL classes, social support, a healthy aging program for older adults, health education and information, and more. Locations in San Jose and East San Jose.
California Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (CAIDD) - aims to raise awareness of the health care needs of people with learning disabilities, encourage sound research and promote evidence based practice in order to enhance universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Stanford Aging Adult Service - provides links to information and services for older adults, families and caregivers
Stanford Health Libraries- Health library branches are in San Jose, Palo Alto, and East San Jose for the general public (you do not have to be getting care at Stanford). The librarians are very skilled at helping you find or connecting you to the health information you need. The libraries provide regular health talks, and post them to their website.
Stanford Resource Hub - an online search engine to find free and/or reduced cost resources in our community, including: food, emergency funds, social support, caregivers, health care, transportation, and more. The resources are regularly updated.
SUKHAM- A Bay Area nonprofit organization working to promote the practice of living and aging well while preparing for life’s transitions. Focus is on the South Asian community, but all are welcome.
National Resources
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)- provides information on topics relevant to retired persons, including health information, financial planning, and caregiver resources
CaringInfo - provides free resources to help people make decisions about end-of-life care and services before a crisis
GetPalliativeCare.org -provides a directory to find palliative care providers in your area. Also provides clear information for people living with a serious illness
What Matters Now - provides free personal websites for people whose lives have been affected by serious illness or injury. Our intention is to help people be surrounded by the love and support of family and friends, and have space for reflection when facing a life-changing situation
Podcasts
GetPalliativeCare.org Podcast - people and families share their stories about living with serious illness and working with palliative care providers
GeriPal Podcast - discusses hot topics and the latest research, books, and other works in geriatrics and palliative care. Content for people and their families as well as healthcare providers. Based out of University of CA, San Francisco (UCSF) and the SF VA Medical Center
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) Podcast - The official podcast of NHPCO connects you with experts and leaders in hospice and palliative care with discussions about timely issues
Films about the end of life
End Game - Explores the difficult choices people and their loved ones face at the end of life and how their care teams help them through this experience. Features the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) palliative care team. Nominated for an Academy Award (Available on Netflix)
Extremis - About how medical teams commmunicate with one another and families about end of life decisions, from the doctors' point of view. Features the palliative care team at Highland Hospital in Oakland. Nominated for an Academy Award (Available on Netflix)
Defining Hope - Shows current end -of- life experiences, and how ending your life well looks different for every person, depending on the choices we desire to make (Available to rent on Amazon Prime and Google Play)
Being Mortal - follows a well known writer and surgeon Atul Gawande, as he explores the relationships doctors have with people who are nearing the end of life. The film shows how doctors--himself included--are often not trained well enough to talk about illness and death with people that have serious illness. Gawande also has a book called Being Mortal. (Available online from PBS.org)
Griefwalker - Follows Stephen Jenkinson, a teacher, author, storyteller and spiritual activist. He was once a leader of a palliative care team at Toronto's Mt. Sinai Hospital, and it follows him as interacts with people at the end of their lives. The film shows how he has learned how important it is for people to not resist or deny death, but know it is part of life (Available online from National Film Board of Canada)
The Nurse with the Purple Hair - About hospice nurse Michelle Lasota. It is a warm and inspiring documentary about end-of-life care (Available online through https://www.thenursewiththepurplehair.com/)
