Self-care of elderly cancer patients undergoing outpatient treatment

Abstract

This is a qualitative descriptive study with the aim to analyze the self-care of elderly cancer patients undergoing outpatient treatment, from the perspective of their autonomy. Fifteen elderly individuals undergoing treatment in a blood-oncology outpatient center of a university hospital participated in the research. Data were collected with semi-structured interviews conducted in 2010. Independence and ability for self-care by the elderly patients were evaluated using the Katz and Lawton scales. The data collected were submitted to thematic analysis. Four categories were identified: manifestations of self-care of elderly cancer patients; care in the family and its dynamics; adaptation to the limitations of the disease; and living with finiteness. In conclusion, the autonomy for self-care of the elderly patients is manifested in the concern with diet, knowing their bodies' limits, the changes imposed by living with cancer and family support. DESCRIPTORS:Nursing. Self-care. Neoplasms. Health of the elderly. Personal autonomy. O CuIDADO DE SI DE IDOSOS QuE CONVIVEM COM CÂNCER EM TRATAMENTO AMBuLATORIAL RESuMO: Pesquisa qualitativa e descritiva, cujo objetivo foi analisar o cuidado de si de idosos que convivem com o câncer, em tratamento ambulatorial, na perspectiva de sua autonomia. Participaram da pesquisa 15 idosos que realizavam tratamento em um ambulatório de hemato-oncologia de um hospital universitário. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada em 2010. A independência e a capacidade do idoso para o autocuidado foram avaliadas com o uso das escalas de Katz e Lawton. Os dados foram submetidos à análise temática. Foram identificadas quatro categorias: manifestações do cuidado de si de idosos que convivem com câncer; o cuidado em família e sua dinâmica; a adaptação às limitações da doença; e a convivência com a finitude. Conclui-se que a autonomia para o cuidado de si dos idosos manifesta-se na preocupação com a alimentação, no conhecimento dos limites do corpo, nas mudanças impostas pela convivência com o câncer e no apoio da família. DESCRITORES: Enfermagem. Autocuidado. Neoplasias. Saúde do idoso. Autonomia pessoal. EL CuIDADO DE Sí DE ANCIANOS QuE CONVIVEN CON CÁNCER EN TRATAMIENTO AMBuLATORIORESuMEN: Investigación cualitativa y descriptiva cuyo objetivo fue analizar el autocuidado de ancianos que conviven con cáncer en tratamiento ambulatorio en la perspectiva de su autonomía. Participaron de la investigación 15 ancianos que realizaban tratamiento en un dispensario de hemato-oncología de un hospital universitario. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de entrevista semi-estructurada en 2010. La independencia de las personas mayores y la capacidad para el autocuidado se evaluó a través de las escalas de Katz y Lawton. Los datos fueron sometidos al análisis temático. Se identificaron cuatro categorías: manifestaciones del autocuidado de ancianos que conviven con cáncer; el cuidado en familia y su dinámica; la adaptación a las limitaciones de la enfermedad; la convivencia con la finitud...

The use of opioids in the treatment of oncologic pain in the elderly

“…Rocha et al 20 Analyze the self-care of older people living with cancer in outpatient treatment, from the perspective of their autonomy…”

“…Regulatory restrictions on opioid prescribing differ widely across countries. Thus, in developed countries, physicians have access to a wide range of opioids, while those in developing countries have limited treatment options [20][21][22] . In order to solve or alleviate these problems mentioned above, there are several strategies, including the use of validated pain scales for patient pain selection and monitoring; multicomorbidities assessment; multidimensional assessment; choice of opioids according to the particularities and pathophysiology of pain; anticipation and treatment of adverse effects; referral to other specialties when necessary; education of patients, families and, especially, caregivers; provision of psychosocial support; information to patients that most cancer pain can be alleviated; establish realistic and objective expectations regarding pain.…”

Therapeutic Itinerary Revealed by the Family Members of Individuals With Mesothelioma: Multiple Case Studies

“…41 The understanding about cancer must overcome the biomedical model, the phenomenon of this disease significantly involves the family members, in relation to dynamics of care that need to be established, the adaptations of the person in relation to disease's limitations and living with a pathology that will surely culminate in death. 42 Searching for health care and the construction of a therapeutic plan go beyond the spheres of the professional subsystem and, concomitant to this context, there is a set of meanings associated with the disease process. 43 These meanings were constructed by the family members from the moment they recognized the severity, establishing actions for health care of the individuals with mesothelioma.…”

Bir ölçek geliştirme çalışması: Kemoterapi uygulanan hastalarda özbakım yetersizliği kuramına gore özbakım davranışları ölçeği

“…Kanser, vücudun bir organ veya dokusunda beliren bazı anormal hücrelerin kontrolsüz ve düzensiz bir şekilde yayılımı ile karakterize olan ve dünyada hemen her ülkede mortalite ve morbidite oranları açısından önde gelen bir sağlık sorunudur. [1][2][3][4] Kanser insidansındaki artışa paralel olarak günümüzde tüm yeni tedavi yaklaşımlarına karşın, halen kanserden ölümler gelişmiş toplumlarda ikinci sırada yer almaktadır. [5][6][7][8][9][10] Kanser tedavisinde sıklıkla kullanılan kemoterapi, doğal veya sentetik kimyasal, biyolojik ajanlar ve hormonlarla yapılan bir tedavi şeklidir.…”