Family care for the older person with cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the needs of family members of older persons undergoing cancer treatment and to examine the interventions designed to alleviate caregiver distress.


METHODS
Research studies and published articles.


CONCLUSIONS
Interventions to reduce distress for caregivers of older persons with cancer have the potential to lower patients' hospital re-admissions and interruptions in cancer treatment and to improve patients' and caregivers emotional health.


CONCLUSIONS
Oncology practitioners must consider the needs of family caregivers when planning and implementing interventions to improve or maintain caregiver health.
Given
Barbara
B
College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA. bgiven@msu.edu
Sherwood
Paula R
PR
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D022143:Family Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control