Optimizing care – Introducing a toolkit to inform nursing assessment and intervention for age-related changes in older adults with cancer

In Canada, 63% of new cancer cases occur among those aged 65+, and 33% occur among those aged 75+. The health of older adults is heterogenous and impacted by changes across a multitude of domains, such as functional status, mobility, comorbidity, cognition, psychological status, nutrition, polypharm...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCANNT Journal Vol. 33; no. 1; p. 138
Main Authors Wiens, Allison, Strohschein, Fay
Format Conference Proceeding
LanguageEnglish
Published Barrie Canadian Association of Nephrology Nurses and Technologists 01.01.2023
Subjects
Cancer
Geriatrics
Nurses
Nursing care
Older people
Oncology
Canada
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Summary:In Canada, 63% of new cancer cases occur among those aged 65+, and 33% occur among those aged 75+. The health of older adults is heterogenous and impacted by changes across a multitude of domains, such as functional status, mobility, comorbidity, cognition, psychological status, nutrition, polypharmacy, social functioning and support, and their own goals and values. The gold standard to identify vulnerabilities across these domains that may not be identified in typical oncology care is to use a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), a multidimensional and interdisciplinary approach to planning care. However, not all jurisdictions have access to geriatric oncology services that conduct CGAs. Through roundtable discussions held with nurses across Canada from 2018-2020, we identified the desire and need for a practical resource for oncology nurses caring for older adults with cancer. The Oncology & Aging Special Interest Group formed a working group that developed a TOOLKIT for General Oncology Nurses Caring for Older Adults with Cancer. In this resource, we highlight the importance and relevance of each domain to cancer care and treatment, presenting screening and assessment tools that can be used to identify concerns and possible nursing interventions that may be used to address these concerns. A nursing pathway to guide care of older adults with cancer is also provided. The purpose of this interactive workshop will be to introduce the completed TOOLKIT. Presenters will walk participants through case studies where they can practise using this new resource in simulation of caring for older adults with cancer.
ISSN:1498-5136