Dissertation Abstract: Marty Pentz

CANCER: THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF THE OLDER ADULT

Half of those who are diagnosed with cancer in any given year are over age 65. Approximately 3.1 million males and 2.3 million females over age 65 became ill with cancer in 2000. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological and social experience of the older adult with cancer to enable social workers to better serve this population. Thirteen older adults with cancer were interviewed in-depth along with a focus group of three oncology social workers. Older adults are often viewed as frail and not able to contribute to society or continue to grow as a person. In contrast, the older adults in this study were mostly resilient and full of life, despite the possible devastation of cancer. The concepts that emerged from the data were almost unanimously positive: 1) social support, 2) a positive attitude (acceptance, gratitude, keeping a present-focus), 3) spirituality-faith (belief in God, hope, and helping others), 4) positive coping (past coping, assertive behavior, reminiscing, and humor), and 5) loss (loss of weight and appetite, loss of energy and self-care ability, loss of social relationships, loss of activities, and loss of belief in one’s competence). Social work practice applications, including reminiscent therapy and spiritual eldering, are discussed in relation to working with resilient and non-resilient older adults with cancer.