Carina Oltmann

Carina Oltmann, LCSW is an oncologic social worker with close to 20 years of experience working in the fields of oncology, geriatrics and palliative care. Carina currently works at University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and also runs the Miami Center for Wellness and Aging, a private practice in Coral Gables, Florida. She has been a proud member of SWHPN since 2014.

Articles by Carina Oltmann

• The care and humanity of caregiving

  Monday, February 24, 2020

  Daniel leans over and gently kisses Sara's head as she lays in the hospital bed. She is in the final few hours of life and her breathing has grown agonal and labored. "I'm here with you, Sara, and you are not alone," Daniel assures her tenderly. For 10 years now, he has been by her side through all of the ups and downs of her journey with breast cancer. Daniel is just one of the close to 40 million Americans providing care to a loved one. At any given time, 16.6% of all U.S. adults are actively serving as a caregiver to a person living with a disability or long-term illness like cancer or dementia.

• Planning for the future: There’s no time like the present

  Thursday, December 12, 2019

  The holidays are upon us. There are gifts to purchase and wrap, parties to plan, potluck dishes to prepare and lights to string. Inevitably, many of us will share in some festivities with our close family members. For those of us who work in healthcare, we know that the gifts of good health and time shared with loved ones are precious. What we may not think about is that these hours or days together are an opportune time to take care of a very important matter: Planning for the future and establishing advance directives.

• The benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy in the palliative setting

  Thursday, December 05, 2019

  Advanced stages of diseases such as cancer, COPD, end-stage renal disease and heart failure can lead to a constellation of physical and psychosocial distress. Symptoms such as fatigue, poor sleep and appetite, dyspnea, nausea and pain impact quality of life and can cause significant suffering. Often, these symptoms are intertwined with intense feelings of sadness, anxiety or depression. For those involved in the care of these individuals, the goal is to alleviate physical and emotional suffering as much as possible with the purpose of improving quality of life and optimizing well-being.

• Optimizing quality of life and communication for older adults living with cancer

  Thursday, October 03, 2019

  Miriam is sitting up in bed when I enter her hospital room. She is neatly groomed with a lovely short gray bob and large eyes that greet me warmly. Before her lie several untouched containers of vanilla pudding. The television is tuned to CNN and she tells me that she watches the business show religiously every day. I like Miriam’s warmth and friendliness immediately. As an oncology social worker, I have the privilege of working with adults undergoing treatment for cancer, primarily gynecologic and hepatobiliary cancer.