Abstract
This poster will present the results of an exploratory pilot study focused on the occupational challenges of older female adults affected by cancer using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and a student- and faculty-designed Daily Living Performance Survey.
Primary Author and Speaker: Colleen Maher
Additional Authors and Speakers: Rochelle Mendonca
Contributing Authors: Shivani Trivedi
The purpose of this exploratory study was to focus on the occupational challenges of older female adults impacted by cancer using the COPM and a student-faculty designed Daily Living Performance Survey. Female cancer survival rate is on an upward trend (American Cancer Society, 2021), primarily due to medical advancements in cancer treatments. As the number of older female cancer survivors increases, so does the prevalence of poor quality of life and difficulty with ADLs, compared to older adults without cancer(Grov et al., 2010). This raises a call to action for the profession of Occupational Therapy to address and support the functional disparities within this target population including maintaining function and sustaining a satisfying quality of life. Occupational therapists (OT) need to be especially prepared to address health issues within the older female adult cancer population. Using an exploratory design this study was conducted in three phases. In Phase 1A the Daily Living Performance Survey which included ADLs and IADLs was developed and then tested for usability using convenience sampling of 6-8 older female adults. One on one interviews were performed to rate usability and obtain feedback on the survey, which was then edited in preparation for the next phase. Phase 1B included recruitment of OT experts to assess Item Content Validity and Scale Content Validity. Edits were made based on the results of the content validation. For Phase 2, we recruited 8 older adult females impacted by cancer. Quantitative data was collected from the COPM and from the Daily Living Performance Survey. Results indicated that household management activities (eg. vacuuming, lifting laundry), medication management and mobility activities (stepping out of tub & climbing steps) were the most challenging. In conclusion, older female adults would benefit from community based OT services that address ADLs and IADLs that are unique to this population.
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures (2021). Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2021.
Grov, E. K., Fosså, S. D., & Dahl, A. A. (2010). Activity of daily living problems in older cancer survivors: a population-based controlled study. Health & Social Care in the Community, 18(4), 396–406. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2524.2010.00912.x.