Physical dependence of cancer patients at home

Abstract

During the period 1977-1986, a total of 179 patients with terminal cancer were cared for by the hospital-organized home care programme in Motala. At the time of their registration, 78 patients needed assistance with 0-3 ADL (activities of daily living) functions and 101 needed help with 4-6 functions. Altogether 168 (94%) patients could be classified according to groups A-G in the ADL classification by Katz, whereas only 11 were classified to the 'Others' category. Consequently, the loss of function among the terminal cancer patients followed a predetermined, hierarchical order, as described by Katz. The mental stress, need of assistance and length of care required by the patients, as well as survival periods, correlated significantly with the ADL level. Neither age, sex, nor type of cancer diagnosis influenced the ADL status, which is thus a tangible measure of the function impairment of cancer patients.