Engaging Older Adults With Cancer and Their Caregivers to Set Research Priorities Through Cancer and Aging Research Discussion Sessions.

PURPOSE

To report on the perspectives of older adults (aged older than 65 years) with cancer and their caregivers who participated in patient-oriented research priority-setting activities called the Cancer and Aging Research Discussion Sessions.

PARTICIPANTS & SETTING: 35 older adults and caregivers participated in three public meetings and follow-up interviews.

METHODOLOGIC APPROACH

Qualitative descriptive.

FINDINGS

There was clear consensus from participants on research priorities related to two key areas.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Future research should focus on addressing age-related disparities in cancer care communication and support. By capitalizing on older adults' interest in research engagement, effective solutions can be cocreated to improve cancer experiences for older adults and their caregivers.