Health care needs of elderly patients with lung, liver, or colon cancer in Taiwan

Abstract

Background Globally, different age groups in the elderly population have experienced major shifts over time. Human life expectancy doubled from the 19th to the twentieth century and has increased to 80 years in the twenty-first century. These conditions imply economic challenges and the increasing prevalence of certain health conditions. Old age is associated with increased care needs in various aspects of daily life. This study assessed the health care needs of elderly patients with lung, liver, and colorectal cancer in Taiwan and analyzed the factors underlying their needs. Methods This cross-sectional descriptive survey assessed 234 elderly patients with diagnosis of lung, liver, and colorectal cancer in Taiwan. We investigated their health care needs and daily living functions by using the Supportive Care Needs Survey and Karnofsky Performance Status, respectively. Results Patients required the most assistance in physical functioning and daily living. Patients aged ≥85 years required more care than those aged 65–74 years in terms of information access and sexuality needs. Patients with poor functional status required more care than those capable of undertaking normal activities. Patients diagnosed as having liver cancer required more care than those with lung or colorectal cancer. Patients with advanced cancer required more physical and daily care than those with early-stage cancer. Conclusions Patients’ health care needs differed with age, primary cancer site, and functional status. Patients aged ≥85 years and those with poor function, primary liver cancer, and advanced cancer had higher care needs.

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“…This was limited by the amount of patients who desired that their wounds be dressed by men. The same ndings regarding the in uence of male gender on the appropriate use of wound dressing materials were shown in studies done by (Lee et al, 2021).…”

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“…20,21 A previous study found that patients in Taiwan 60 years or older with advanced cancer had significantly lower sexual needs compared with those diagnosed at the early stages of cancer. 22 Indeed, participants in the pilot testing showed difficulties in defining their sex life because of their age. However, to maintain a sexual relationship with their significant other, patients with advanced cancer may increase physical contact as an alternative to demonstrate intimacy and maintain their functional well-being.…”

“…In addition, aging may prompt them to refine sexuality and intimacy 20,21 . A previous study found that patients in Taiwan 60 years or older with advanced cancer had significantly lower sexual needs compared with those diagnosed at the early stages of cancer 22 . Indeed, participants in the pilot testing showed difficulties in defining their sex life because of their age.…”

Care needs of older patients with advanced cancer

“…Qualitative research found that some older adults wanted to obtain information about the prognosis of advanced cancer, while others were reluctant to receive more information for fear of hearing bad news 35▪. A cross-sectional survey demonstrated that, regardless of cancer stage, the oldest-old (age ≥85 years) patients scored significantly higher in the health system and information domain of the SCNS-SF34 questionnaire compared with the young-old (age=65–74 years) and the old-old (age=75–84 years) patients, indicating a greater need for information access in this subgroup 37▪.…”

“…However, there remains a paucity of research evidence specifically targeting this population. The few existing quantitative studies 14▪,15▪,37▪ used the SCNS-SF34 questionnaire for needs assessment. Although this questionnaire has been considered to have acceptable psychometric properties, it was designed to assess patient needs across the entire cancer trajectory rather than specifically focus on advanced-stage cancer 45▪▪.…”