title: Adherence and oral agents with older patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Oral antineoplastic agents offer multiple advantages in cancer therapies. Thus, understanding issues of adherence to these agents for older adults becomes critical to successful comprehensive care of the older cancer patient.
  
  
  METHODS
  This analysis of adherence to oral agents among older cancer patients draws on interdisciplinary geriatric and oncologic research reports and clinical reviews.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older adults are at increased risk for poor adherence to oral agents. Barriers to adherence are diverse. Problems emerge from age-related physical changes, comorbid conditions, polypharmacy, and drug interactions. Psychosocial barriers include limited insurance coverage and transportation problems to social isolation and inadequate social support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses should lead interdisciplinary, individualized plans of care to mitigate barriers and support adherence to cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Rhoads Three Inpatient Oncology Unit, Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Maloney
authors.forename: Sarah H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kagan
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents