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Systematic Reviews

Cancer across the ages: a narrative review of caregiver burden for patients of all ages

, PsyD, , PhD, MS, , PhDORCID Icon, , PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN, , BS & , MD, MS, MA
Pages 782-798 | Published online: 12 Aug 2020
 

Abstract

Problem Identification

Approximately 2.8 million Americans care for an individual with cancer. Because the literature typically describes caregiving experiences within patient age-groups (e.g., pediatrics, geriatrics), the purpose of this narrative review was to describe common and unique burdens and distress among caregivers of cancer-patients of different ages.

Literature Search

We identified representative peer-reviewed manuscripts related to caregivers of pediatric, adolescent, young-, middle-, and late-adult oncology patients. We combined search terms “caregiver” and “cancer” with “burden,” “distress,” and/or age-related terms (“pediatric” or “geriatric”). Included studies focused on factors of caregiver-burden and distress.

Data Evaluation/Synthesis

Universal cancer-caregiving experiences include negative impacts on work-productivity, finances, social-/family-dynamics, and physical/emotional health. Age-related life experiences shape outcomes; pediatric caregivers may have fewer financial resources, whereas concurrent comorbidities create challenges for geriatric caregivers.

Conclusions

Caregiving for cancer patients has universal, shared, and patient age-specific burdens.

Implications for Practice

Supportive care based on patient-age may improve caregiver well-being.

Disclosure statement

None of the authors has a financial or other conflict of interest to disclose.

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