Abstract
It is known that older patients with hematological malignancies can benefit from treatment modalities as long as tailored evaluation of all aspects is used to assess potential problems. Oncology nurses and Nurse Practitioners can play an important role in the collection of information in older patients. However, it is important that the collected information is used for making the right treatment decision and that this decision is taken by a multidisciplinary team.
After the evaluation of all aspects that can be impacted by aging, proactive interventions need to be offered to prevent deterioration. In this chapter we will describe some of the different nursing aspects with regard to the following topics: polypharmacy and medication-adherence, nutritional state, the nursing management of drug related side effects, patient preferences and information needs of older adults. The last paragraph is on caregiving by family and friends and the role of the nurse to support optimal collaboration.
This chapter is intended to focus on the different roles that nurses can have in the care for the older patients, not only by assessing the geriatric assessment or managing the most common side effects of the treatment, but also by educating and the supporting role nurses can have in the care for the older patient and their caregivers.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Mateos MV, Richardson PG, Schlag R, Khuageva NK, Dimopoulos MA, Shpilberg O, et al. Bortezomib plus melphalan and prednisone compared with melphalan and prednisone in previously untreated multiple myeloma: updated follow-up and impact of subsequent therapy in the phase III VISTA trial. J Clin Oncol. 2010;28(13):2259–66.
Partridge AH, Avorn J, Wang PS, Winer EP. Adherence to therapy with oral antineoplastic agents. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2002;94(9):652–61.
Balkrishnan R. Predictors of medication adherence in the elderly. Clin Ther. 1998;20(4):764–71.
Monane M, Bohn RL, Gurwitz JH, Glynn RJ, Levin R, Avorn J. Compliance with antihypertensive therapy among elderly Medicaid enrollees: the roles of age, gender, and race. Am J Public Health. 1996;86(12):1805–8.
Williams A, Manias E, Walker R. Interventions to improve medication adherence in people with multiple chronic conditions: a systematic review. J Adv Nurs. 2008;63(2):132–43.
Wheelwright S, Darlington AS, Fitzsimmons D, Fayers P, Arraras JI, Bonnetain F, Brain E, et al. International validation of the EORTC QLQ-ELD14 questionnaire for assessment of health-related quality of life elderly patients with cancer. Br J Cancer. 2013;109(4):852–8.
Jansen J, van Weert J, van Dulmen S, Heeren T, Bensing J. Patient education about treatment in cancer care: an overview of the literature on older patients’ needs. Cancer Nurs. 2007;30(4):251–60.
Pinquart M, Duberstein PR. Information needs and decision-making processes in older cancer patients. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2004;51(1):69–80.
Rose JH, Radziewicz R, Bowmans KF, O’Toole EE. A coping and communication support intervention tailored to older patients diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Clin Interv Aging. 2008;3(1):77–95.
Sparks L, Nussbaum JF. Health literacy and cancer communication with older adults. Patient Educ Couns. 2008;71(3):345–50.
Friis LS, Elverdam B, Schmidt KG. The patient’s perspective: a qualitative study of acute myeloid leukaemia patients’ need for information and their information-seeking behaviour. Support Care Cancer. 2003;11:162–70.
Miller SM, Brody DS, Summerton J. Styles of coping with threat: implications for health. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1988;54:142–8.
Timmermans LM, van Zuuren FJ, van der Maazen RW, Leer JW, Kraaimaat FW. Monitoring and blunting in palliative and curative radiotherapy consultations. Psychooncology. 2007;16(12):1111–20.
Miller SM. Monitoring versus blunting styles of coping with cancer influence the information patients want and need about their disease. Implications for cancer screening and management. Cancer. 1995;76(2):167–77.
Jim HS, Richardson SA, Golden-Kreutz DM, Andersen BL. Strategies used in coping with a cancer diagnosis predict meaning in life for survivors. Health Psychol. 2006;25(6):753–61.
Vachon ML. Meaning, spirituality, and wellness in cancer survivors. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2008;24(3):218–25.
Jim HS, Purnell JQ, Richardson SA, Golden-Kreutz D, Andersen BL. Measuring meaning in life following cancer. Qual Life Res. 2006;15(8):1355–71.
Heany CA, Israel BA. Social networks and social support. In: Glanz K, Rimer BK, Lewis FM, editors. Health behavior and health education: theory, research and practice. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 2002. p. 185–209.
Blum K, Sherman DW. Understanding the experience of caregivers: a focus on transitions. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2010;26:243–58.
Hagedoorn M, Buunk BP, Kuijer RG, Wobbes T, Sanderman R. Couples dealing with cancer: role and gender differences regarding psychological distress and quality of life. Psychooncology. 2000;9:232–42.
Tamayo GJ, Broxson A, Munsell M, Cohen MZ. Caring for the caregiver. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2010;37:50–7.
van der Kruk T, Salentijn C, Schuurmans M. Verpleegkundige zorgverlening aan ouderen. Den Haag: Lemma BV; 2007.
Pellegrino R, Formica V, Portarena I, Mariotti S, Grenga I, Del MG, et al. Caregiver distress in the early phases of cancer. Anticancer Res. 2010;30:4657–63.
Edwards B, Ung L. Quality of life instruments for caregivers of patients with cancer: a review of their psychometric proportions. Cancer Nurs. 2002;25:342–9.
Weitzner MA, Jacobsen PB, Wagner H, Friedland J, Cox C. The Caregiver Quality of Life Index Cancer (CQOLC) scale: development and validation of an instrument to measure quality of life of the family caregiver of patients with cancer. Qual Life Res. 1999;8:55–63.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer-Verlag London
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Eeltink, C.M., Beumer-Grootenhuis, A., Burghout, C. (2015). Nursing Issues. In: Wedding, U., Audisio, R. (eds) Management of Hematological Cancer in Older People. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2837-3_14
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2837-3_14
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-2836-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-2837-3
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)