What is different about living alone with cancer in older age? A qualitative study of experiences and preferences for care

BMC Family Practice

Research Article

Lucy Cooper¹  Sheila Payne²  Julia Addington-Hall³  Barbara Hanratty⁴  Antony Arthur⁵  Jane Seymour⁶  Gunn Grande⁷ 

[1] Department of Public Health and Policy, University of Liverpool, L69 3GB, Liverpool, UK;Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK;Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK;Hull York Medical School, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Seebholm Rowntree Building, York YO10 5DD, Heslington, UK;School of Nursing Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK;School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK;School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK;

关键词: Living arrangements;    Aged;    Aged, 80 and over;    Health services for the aged;    Neoplasms;    Palliative care;    Terminal care;    Advanced care planning;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2296-14-22

 received in 2012-10-10, accepted in 2013-02-16,  发布年份 2013

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundIncreasing numbers of older patients with advanced cancer live alone but there is little research on how well health services meet their needs. The aim of this study was to compare the experiences and future preferences for care between two groups of older people with cancer in their last year of life; those who live alone, and those who live with co-resident carers.MethodsIn-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 32 people aged between 70 and 95 years who were living with cancer. They were recruited from general practices and hospice day care, when the responsible health professional answered no to the question, of whether they would be surprised if the patient died within twelve months. Twenty participants lived alone. Interviews were recorded and transcribed and the data analysed using a Framework approach, focussing on the differences and commonalities between the two groups.ResultsMany experiences were common to all participants, but had broader consequences for people who lived alone. Five themes are presented from the data: a perception that it is a disadvantage to live alone as a patient, the importance of relational continuity with health professionals, informal appraisal of care, place of care and future plans. People who lived alone perceived emotional and practical barriers to accessing care, and many shared an anxiety that they would have to move into a care home. Participants were concerned with remaining life, and all who lived alone had made plans for death but not for dying. Uncertainty of timescales and a desire to wait until they knew that death was imminent were some of the reasons given for not planning for future care needs.ConclusionsOlder people who live alone with cancer have emotional and practical concerns that are overlooked by their professional carers. Discussion and planning for the future, along with continuity in primary care may hold the key to enhancing end-of-life care for this group of patients.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Hanratty et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2013