Experiences of older women with cancer receiving hospice care: Significance for physical therapy

Background and Purpose. The number of older adults with cancer is growing, increasing the need for professionals who are able to meet these patients' special needs. In palliative care settings, physical therapists strive to p romote quality of life. Minimal research exists, however, to guide therapis ts working with patients with terminal illness. The purpose of this study w as to gain knowledge that call be used by physical therapists to more effec tively assess and treat older people with cancer who are receiving hospice cal-e. Subjects and Methods. A qualitative single-case study with replicati on was conducted with 3 older women with cancer who are receiving hospice c are. Interview data were analyzed using grounded theory techniques. Results . Four themes emerged as central to the experience of the informants: socia l relationships, spirituality, outlook on mortality, and meaningful physica l activity. Conclusion and Discussion. In addition to maintaining physical function, physical therapists, who attend to nonphysical as well as physica l aspects of care, may foster social cohesion, help maximize life's meaning , and support stabilizing strategies of older women with cancer who receive hospice care.