Optimal care pathway for older people with cancer now available
The vast majority of people living with cancer in Australia are older adults. Despite this, till now there has been no standardised care pathway for older people with cancer that integrates the key geriatric oncology principles that are essential for understanding and providing the optimal care for this patient population.
The OCP for older adults with cancer provides a framework to deliver tailored, person-centred care and improve equity and outcomes at a systemic level.
A clinical Optimal Care Pathway for older people with cancer and a Quick Reference Guide were developed for health professionals which:
- outline critical care steps, including geriatric assessment at diagnosis, individualised treatment planning, and supportive care integration
- complement clinical guidelines emphasising collaborative, age-friendly, person-centred care and the importance of adequate assessment
- support healthcare providers in delivering tailored, high-quality care that considers the broader context of an older person’s life, including their support systems and personal priorities
- explicitly address ageism by prioritising functional status and patient preferences over chronological age.
A Guide to best cancer care was also developed to help older people with cancer and their carers, family and friends understand the optimal care that should be provided at each step. This consumer guide is available in 11 languages, downloadable as a PDF or in audio recordings.
