title: Quality of life and perceived educational needs among older cancer survivors.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate perceived educational needs regarding nutrition and exercise in older cancer survivors. One hundred ninety survivors, age 70.7 (7.5), completed a Survey of Needs developed from the City of Hope Quality of Life model. Fifty percent reported distress related to poor appetite, 60% reported distress related to weight change, 64% reported distress related to balance/walking/mobility difficulty, and 79% reported distress related to fatigue. Weight change, poor appetite, balance/walking/mobility difficulty, and fatigue were significantly associated with distress related to (a) managing household activities, (b) caring for family, (c) maintaining a sense of well-being, (d) coping with grief and loss, and (e) managing stress. Despite distress associated with weight change, poor appetite, mobility difficulty, and fatigue, respondents did not recognize a need for education regarding nutrition and exercise. Findings suggest that evaluating older survivors' perceptions of needs may be necessary prior to designing interventions for care.
authors: College of Nursing, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA 31698, USA. mcschlai@valdosta.edu
authors: Maura C
authors: MC
authors: Schlairet
authors: Melissa J
authors: MJ
authors: Benton
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise; D005221:Fatigue / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017145:Models, Educational; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D010465:Perception; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*