Christian Nelson, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses Memorial Sloan Kettering’s writing program, Visible Ink.

The program gives patients the opportunity to write about their experiences with cancer under the guidance of a writing mentor.

The hospital has recently incorporated psychotherapy specifically for older adults into the writing program to see if it has an impact on outcomes such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, and spirituality.

Patients are given short readings and writing prompts that are focused on elements of care intervention, including losses associated with aging and cancer, wisdom, and loneliness.

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Christian Nelson, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses Memorial Sloan Kettering's writing program, Visible Ink. 

Christian Nelson Discusses Writing Program

Christian Nelson, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses what nurses should be aware of when caring for an older patient with cancer as opposed to a younger patient.

Older patients are more likely to need more time for their care due to limitations such as physical problems, difficulty hearing or seeing, or cognitive impairment.

Nurses should also acknowledge the concept of ageism as well as the nature of growing older, which can include losses associated with aging and loneliness, Nelson said.

Christian Nelson, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses what nurses should be aware of when caring for an older patient with cancer as opposed to a younger patient. 

Christian Nelson on Nursing Care for Older Patients with Cancer

Christian Nelson, PhD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center discusses care intervention that was developed specifically for older patients with cancer.

The psychotherapy focuses on the development of constructs that adults age 70 and above go through as they age.

Themes are integrated into the psychotherapy, including losses associated with aging, wisdom, looking at life in retrospect, reflecting on regrets and learning how to put those regrets in a tolerable perspective.

Christian Nelson, PhD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center discusses care intervention that was developed specifically for older patients with cancer. 


Christian Nelson, PhD

Articles

Christian Nelson Discusses Writing Program

Christian Nelson on Nursing Care for Older Patients with Cancer

Christian Nelson Discusses Care Intervention Specifically for Older Cancer Patients