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Abstract

Background: More older adults are living with and beyond cancer and may experience challenges related to health, well-being, and aging. Healthy aging is a process that allows for optimal functional ability and well-being. Although health promotion can improve health outcomes and quality of life, less is known about caring for older adults who are diagnosed, and subsequently living with and beyond cancer in the period commonly called ‘survivorship’. There is a need to better understand the intersection between the notion of healthy aging and older adults’ experiences living with and beyond cancer. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of healthy aging among older adults living with and beyond cancer. Methods: Community-dwelling older adults diagnosed with cancer at age 65 or older, were recruited to participate in a series of in-depth semi-structured interviews. Using an interpretive descriptive approach and patient-oriented research methods, serial interviews focused on defining healthy aging, and understanding health promoting behaviours. Data were thematically analyzed. Results: A total of 20 older adults living with and beyond cancer (mean age 74) in British Columbia participated in in-depth interviews (n=40). Coping with cancer and age-related changes in older age was important for healthy aging and quality of life. Older adults coped by actively maintaining their health and function, accepting and rejecting barriers, and defying ageist norms about cancer in older age. Our findings suggest discrepancies in older adults’ reported priorities in healthy aging, and their perceptions of the priorities of healthcare providers. For example, older adults identified a lack of attention to quality of life and minimal integration of psychosocial considerations in cancer treatment and survivorship care. Our findings also address the nuances of how cancer influences health behaviours in the context of pursuing healthy aging. Conclusions: Understanding the experiences and perceptions of healthy aging among older adults living with and beyond cancer is critical to promoting health for this growing population. These findings can inform efforts and interventions to support healthy aging in this population. Nurses are one member of the health care team well positioned to address these gaps.