The Role of Family Caregivers in the Care of Older Adults with Cancer

Virginia Sun; Martine Puts; Kristen Haase; Sophie Pilleron; Michelle Hannan; Schroder Sattar; Fay J Strohschein

doi:10.1016/j.soncn.2021.151232

The Role of Family Caregivers in the Care of Older Adults with Cancer

Semin Oncol Nurs. 2021 Dec;37(6):151232. doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2021.151232. Epub 2021 Nov 6.

Authors

Virginia Sun¹, Martine Puts², Kristen Haase³, Sophie Pilleron⁴, Michelle Hannan⁵, Schroder Sattar⁶, Fay J Strohschein⁷

Affiliations

¹ Associate Professor, Department of Population Sciences and Department of Surgery, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, US. Electronic address: vsun@coh.org.
² Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
³ Assistant Professor, Faculty of Applied Science, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
⁴ Nuffield Department of Population Health, Big Data Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
⁵ Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Oncology, Medical Oncology Department, University Hospital, Waterford, Ireland.
⁶ Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
⁷ Postdoctoral Associate, Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.

PMID: 34753644
DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2021.151232

Abstract

Objectives: To provide an overview on the role of family caregivers (FCGs) in the care of older adults with cancer and review quality of life needs for FCGs.

Data sources: Journal articles, research reports, state of the science papers, position papers, and clinical guidelines from professional organizations were used.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of multiple comorbidities and the associated burden of geriatric events in older adults have a substantial impact on the quality of life of their FCGs. Practical and efficient models of comprehensive assessment, interventions, and caregiving preparedness support are needed to improve outcomes for both older adults with cancer and their FCGs.

Implications for nursing practice: Oncology nurses practicing in clinical and research settings have a responsibility to prepare themselves with evidence-based knowledge and resources to include the needs of FCGs in the care provided to older adults with cancer.

Keywords: Cancer; Cancer caregiving; Family caregivers; Geriatric assessment; Geriatric oncology; Quality of life.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Aged
Caregivers*
Comorbidity
Humans
Neoplasms* / epidemiology
Neoplasms* / therapy
Quality of Life