Cancer in Older Adults

At the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, our goal is to have you live your best life while living longer.

Our Approach

We’ve created the Comprehensive Oncology and Aging Care Team (COACH) specifically for older patients, with services tailored to your individual needs as you battle cancer.

COACH combines various services across our extensive care network. Our providers work together – along with primary oncologists, patients and families – to ensure that care is seamless and comprehensive.

Thanks to our COACH team that collaborates closely with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's Cancer & Aging Interdisciplinary team (CAIT) on research and educational projects to improve the care of older cancer patients.

Our commitment to this individualized system of care earned special recognition with the Age-Friendly Health System-Committed to Care Excellence Award from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. This distinction recognizes our alignment with evidence-based best practices and focus on what matters most to older adults and their family caregivers.

How We Do Assessments

Although most patients with cancer are older, guidelines followed by many oncologists are largely based on research done with younger people. This can easily lead to older patients not receiving proper care.

The COACH team begins with a comprehensive assessment of older patients to help their primary oncologist determine a treatment plan. We evaluate a patient's overall health, lifestyle and other key factors to estimate potential risks related to treatment and suggest interventions that will improve outcomes. We screen for problems that can derail effective cancer treatment, including issues with social support, mobility, balance, cognition and mood disorders.

Your COACH Team

At the Cancer Institute, you have access to our specialized team of healthcare professionals who guide you through all aspects of your treatment, providing the highest level of integrated care.

Team members include:

• Physicians, physician assistants, nurses and nurse practitioners who collectively determine your needs.
• Geriatricians, who help you maintain your quality of life as you go through cancer treatments.
• Registered Dietitians, who help you maintain your strength throughout treatment.
• Physical and occupational therapists, who can help preserve your independence, movement and function throughout treatments
• Pharmacists, who safely manage your medications.
• Social workers and counselors, who offer psychosocial counseling and support focused on improving your quality of life.
• Palliative and integrative care therapists, who can provide relief from pain, nausea and emotional anxiety.
• Community resources coordinators, who connect you to additional support in your area.