Fifty percent of all cancers occur in individuals over age 60. Participation in their own antineoplastic therapy is particularly important for persons in this age group. The authors offer information on the normal aging process, the management of side effects and line complications, and the use of infusion pumps. The goal of a well-planned program for self-administration is to provide the optimum in care for elderly persons suffering from cancer.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Leventhal EAThe dilemma of cancer in the elderly. Front Radial Ther Oncol. 1986;20:1-13.
2.
Dugan S.The Older Adult-Cancer Nursing—A Developmental Approach. New York, NY: Wiley; 1984.
3.
Dellefield MEInformational needs and approaches for early cancer detection in the elderly. Semin Oncol Nurs . 1988;4(3):156-167.
4.
Lokich J., Ahlgren J., Gullo J., et al. A randomized trial of standard bolus 5-FU versus protracted infusional 5-FU in advanced colon cancer (abstract). Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol. 1987;6:81.
5.
Lokich J.Cancer chemotherapy by constant infusion. Hosp Pract.1983;November:50c-50q.
6.
Kidd JRHow Adults Learn. New York, NY: Associated Press; 1973.
7.
Long HBPhysiological changes that affect the senses. In: The Physiology of Aging: How It Affects Learning. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall; 1972.
8.
Coughenair M. , Slavik M., Fabian C., et al.Clinical and compatibility studies of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and heparin (HN) administered by continuous IV infusion (abstract). Proc of American Association of Cancer Research . 1988 ; March: 29.
9.
Higginbotham P.Special considerations of the geriatric patient in ambulatory chemotherapy. Abstract. Oncol Nurs Forum Suppl. 1989;16(2):205.