Rome, 1 June (beraking latest news Salute) – The “army ‘of caregivers in oncology is equal to about 4 million in Italy. There is a constant increase (+ 3% per year) in people living with cancer. At their side there is always a family member , a relative, a friend who supports him, accompanies him, assists him: he is the caregiver. For all of them the guarantees of support from the social and social security fabric are absent or insufficient. A huge problem that must be solved in an absolutely urgent way . To underline this, indicating the need to protect them with a law and an adequate professional profile that recognizes the role and fundamental contribution of the caregiver, is the Aiom Foundation together with Ropi (Oncology patient network Italy), who presented two volumes dedicated to one to institutions (‘Caregiver in oncology’) and one to operators (‘Practical aspects of care for cancer patients’).
There is also a strong appeal to the policy of patient associations, including ‘Onconauti’, ‘Mai più sole’, ‘EuropaDonna,’ Fra Parentesi, to institutionalize the figure of the cancer caregiver by law by 2021.
“The increase in people living in Italy with a previous diagnosis of cancer – explained Stefania Gori, president of Ropi and Aiom Foundation – brings out the need for constant care needs, lasting over time, provided in most cases by caregivers (spouse , son or daughter, relative, friend, a close relative) to these patients. Essential figures, often also of support to the clinician, yet – underlines Gori – not protected and helped by the institutional and social fabric, often not adequately trained to carry out their delicate task “.
“The need for long years of care and clinical checks, impossible to deal with by the patient if not adequately followed – affirms Alessandro Comandone, Sc Oncologia Asl City of Turin – requires that the caregiver be educated and trained, that is, capable of identifying the needs of the assisted person and to carry out their duties correctly thanks to careful technical and above all psychological preparation. A delicate and complex task that requires – explains Comandone – ‘assistance in assistance’ to be dedicated to the caregiver who must be able to rely on a network social support and voluntary service, which (pre) takes care of supporting it, of fulfilling the handling of daily chores, bureaucratic procedures, domestic cleaning and occasional assistance to allow the caregiver to rest “.
“From a legal point of view – says Paola Boldrini, vice president of the Senate Hygiene and Health Commission – a bill has been filed in the Senate so that the figure of the caregiver is recognized, providing for social security protection and work conciliation, for example a flexibility of hours such that the person can carry out his profession and assistance to the relative in parallel. The current laws in force – emphasizes Boldrini – allow the caregiver to be able to take advantage of Law 104 which guarantees paid leave from work and leave up to 2 years, to guarantee the maintenance of the job “.
“Today the figure of the caregiver, especially in the oncology field – specifies Nicola Provenza, a member of the Social Affairs Commission in the Chamber – must have its legal recognition. The tenacity of the parliamentarians and the political will will be able, by soliciting the release of existing legislative proposals on the caregiver, allowing convergence to be found. Talking about appropriateness – he concludes – also means talking about the appropriateness of the area of care, which will allow for the recovery of resources and thus contribute to the sustainability of the NHS “.