This program focuses on issues that have specific meaning for older cancer survivors. Examples of these issues include finding quality cancer care despite your age and other health problems, getting help paying for medications you need, and standing up for your rights in a health care system that sometimes discriminates against the older person.
Tips for the provider to keep in mind:
- Healthcare professionals may be unaware of biases or assumptions about caring for the elderly, resulting in treatments that don’t follow guidelines.
- Older persons may be afraid or reluctant to question their health care team. This can lead to poor care, misinformation, and increased problems.
- Making decisions about end of life preferences ahead of time and putting them in writing in a legally valid document will help make sure that the health care team and family follow the survivor’s wishes if s/he is not capable of communicating when the time comes.
Note: To download the mp3 files, right- click a link and select 'Save Target As' or 'Save Link As'.
Introduction
Hear some specific problems older survivors are faced with when diagnosed with cancer.
Survivor Stories: Learning About Cancer
Hear Mary explain how she overcame her fear of knowing about her cancer and how the knowledge helped her feel at ease with her diagnosis and treatment.
Survivor Stories: Communicating
Listen to Joanne, a cancer survivor, communicate in an effective way while dealing with a problem and addressing a sensitive issue.
Finding Information
Hear a nurse explain the importance of obtaining information to deal with your diagnosis.
Survivor Stories: Financial issues
Hear John talk through his financial concerns and the steps he takes to ensure his wife is in a good financial state.
Survivor Stories: Medicare
Learn the specifics of Medicare and hear Rita talk about her experience in being covered under the program.
Survivor Stories: Treatment Decisions
Listen to Jim talk through making a decision about his treatment with his wife.
Survivor Stories: End of Life Issues
Hear Ruth talk through the decision making process to ensure her desires are met in an end of life situation.
Survivor Stories: Problem Solving
Listen to Isabelle talk through the issues she was having with multiple medications. Hear her explain the importance of being honest and working with a nurse practitioner to find the right solution.
Survivor Stories: Living Arrangements
Hear Maria’s social worker explain how she helped her gather information and make a plan so she could negotiate for herself in a difficult situation.
Survivor Stories: Side Effects
Listen to Joe stand up for rights and ensure that he is not a victim of age discrimination.
New iPhone App
Your Caregiver In Your Pocket!
Build lists of practical questions used to guide conversations between you and your doctors and nurses.
Cancer Survival Toolbox
Help your patients take charge of their care when dealing with cancer.
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