Predictors of Quality of Life in Elderly Hospice Patients With Cancer

Abstract

Purpose While quality of life is the focus of care in hospices, limited research has been conducted on the quality of life of cancer patients in hospice home care. The purpose of this study was to explore the predictors of quality of life of older adults who are receiving hospice care in their homes. Methods A secondary analysis of data from a larger study was conducted using linear regression and including the following predictor variables: age, functional status, number of symptoms endorsed, overall symptom distress, pain intensity, and depressive symptoms. The outcome variable was quality of life. Results The sample consisted of 533 adults with an average age of 78.1 years (SD=7.4). A regression model that included symptom distress, number of symptoms, depression, and functional status accounted for 46% of the variance in quality of life. Pain, age, and caregiver depression did not contribute to predicting quality of life and therefore were not included in the final model. Conclusions and Implications Because both physical symptoms and depression are predictors of quality of life, a continued focus is needed on these factors by those providing care to older adults with cancer near the end of life.

The Physical Health of Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer and the Psychological Health of Their Family Caregivers When Newly Enrolled in Hospice

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Differences in the Symptom Experience of Older Oncology Outpatients

“…12,13,24,25 Lower levels of symptom distress may reflect a lower subjective perception of bother from these symptoms. Alternatively, the lower rates of distress may reflect a more “fit” and less frail older adult population that would be more likely to receive cancer treatment and participate in a research study.…”

Trajectory of overall health from self-report and factors contributing to health declines among cancer survivors

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