Older Adults’ Functional Performance Loss and Adaptation During Chemotherapy

The experience of functional performance change in older adults during chemotherapy was the focus for this qualitative descriptive study. The 9 female and 2 male participants (mean age 70.4, SD 6.6) described their experiences in semistructured, tape-recorded interviews. The interview transcripts were analyzed making constant comparisons as interviews progressed. Results indicated older adults experience losses related to changes in functional performance during chemotherapy and make adaptations to those losses. These findings are congruent with the literature reporting that individuals modify or replace activities using old or new coping methods. Recognizing the impact of functional performance changes may facilitate support of older adults throughout chemotherapy. There are limitations to the study, primarily related to the sample: 82% were female, all were Caucasian, 4 types of cancer were present, but 46% had breast cancer. Future studies, especially intervention studies to prevent or address functional performance loss, may be warranted.